Books I Read in 2009

Republic by Plato - From my top ten list.  I need to re-read every so often.

History of the United States by Douglas Brinkley - a text book really, but a good refresher (even if a bit light on matters of faith)

What's So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D'Souza - A response to the current deluge of Anti-Christian propaganda that is coming out.

The Shack by Wm. Paul Youn - Someone told me to read it so I am giving it a skeptical go.

The Undercover Economist: Exposing Why The Rich Are Rich, The Poor Are Poor -- and Why You Can Never Buy A Decent Used Car! by Tim Harford -- A fun read for anyone who wants to know how basic economics work.  Why does a Latte cost $2.50?  Why can't we seem to handle traffic congestion?  and How China stopped being a really poor nation.

The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church by Gregory A. Boyd - Another of many books that argues from scripture the idea that we as Christians in America have too often pursued political power at the cost of the Kingdom of God.  Boyd makes a compelling case that we should focus not on more "power over" (the state) but more on "power under" (the work of the cross).  I blog about this book a bit here.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - A novel that apparently many have read, but I haven't.  Apparently this book has gained in popularity over the past few months and I was told to read it.  It is the story of individuals in the backdrop of a nation that increasingly "loots" its economical productive business.  What happens when the productive ones go on strike? 

From Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins -- A business book that promises to look at the difference between good companies and great companies.  However, this book takes it a step further by asking the question, "How does a company that isn't so great become great?"  The book claims to be equally applicable to other organizations (i.e the church?), so we will see.

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World by Niall Ferguson -- A really fun book that is tracing major developments in finances, like the creation of money, bond markets, stock markets, etc.  The book is fairly recent and is willing to deal with some modern struggles as well.  I can't wait to get to the end to see the "historical" take on our current "crisis."

Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream by Adam Shepherd-- Another enjoyable book and a fairly quick read.  It is the true life story of Adam who shows on the bus in Charleston, NC with $25, a sleeping bag, and the clothes on his back.  What does he do now?  He optimistically imagines he can get a job, and apartment, and a significant savings before a year is past.  Can he do it?  This book chronicles his try.

Breakout Churches: Discover How to Make the Leap by Thom S. Rainer -- Based on the book Good to Great (which I apprently need to read), this books authors went through a massive research project to find out what it took to be a "breakout church."  These churches were ones that had had significant periods of stagnation and decline and under the same leadership moved from mediocrity to greatness.  The biggest discovery was how few churches pull this off.  From 400,000 intitial churches, 13 fulfilled the qualifications. 

 Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky --  This book was written by a self procalimed radical.  While the book was published in the 1970's it references Alinsky's work even decades prior to that.  Just to give you a sense, the book starts out with a lengthy justification and support for the claim that "The Ends DO justify the means."  Certainly not a book I would recommend for someone who seriously wants to affect change.  However I read it knowing that many use this vision as a means for social change, and to be forewarned is to be fore-armed.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey -- A now classic in personality leadership circles.  This book has spawned an entire enterprise for a reason:  It is good.  This time, I read it not as a leadership book, but as a personal trainer.  I will not finish the book this go around, since I am acessing it more as a reference guide as I look to increase my personal effectiveness.  An amazing book for anyone who longs to be more of who God has called them to be.