Jonathan Edwards: A Life, George M. Marsden (Yale University Press). The ND professor of history’s critically acclaimed biography of controversial Protestant theologian Edwards (1703-1758) casts light on his personal life and his theology. The author reveals Edwards’ struggles to reconcile his Puritan heritage with the secular world and his personal difficulties with his faith. Told in an easily read narrative style, the book views Edwards in the context of his time in colonial America, when the fiery preacher ignited the Great Awakening of the 18th century.
The Frantic Woman’s Guide to Life: A Year’s Worth of Hints, Tips, and Tricks, Mary Jo Rulnick and Judith Burnett Schneider ’86M.S. (Warner Books). Both informative and light-hearted, the tips here include everything from financial matters and cooking to reducing clutter and planning fun projects for the kids. Some sections deal with particular needs, such as caring for elderly parents, raising a child who has a disability or choosing a pet. A complementary website, www.franticwoman.com, includes a message board, so frantic women can share their own tips and ideas.
Vitruvius on Architecture, Thomas Gordon Smith (Monacelli Press). Around 25 B.C., Marcus Vitruvius Pollio cataloged the rules and ideals of Greek architecture in 10 scrolls. In this book, Smith, a Notre Dame professor of architecture, presents a new translation of five of the scrolls most relevant to architecture today. Along with photographs of historic architecture from Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Mediterranean region, the book includes new drawings and watercolors that illustrate Vitruvius’ methods of proportion and composition. A practicing classical architect, Smith writes that “Vitruvius’s recommendations are still germane to solving problems of strength, function and beauty in modern circumstances.”
The Sign of the Cross: Recovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer, Bert Ghezzi ’69Ph.D. (Loyola Press). Making the sign of the cross is actually a powerful and multilayered prayer. After the author explains the symbol’s history and how it engages the Holy Spirit, he discusses how Catholics can utilize this ancient sign in their daily life. Using scripture, church teaching and his own prayer life, Ghezzi describes how the sign offers an opening to God, a renewal of baptism, a mark of discipleship, an acceptance of suffering, a defense against the devil and a victory over self-indulgence.