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 enlarge | Author: A. J. Jacobs
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $31.95
New (11) Used (7) from $28.00
Rating:  405 reviews
Sales Rank: 422889
Format: Large Print
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 597
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.2
ISBN: 1410405079
Dewey Decimal Number: 220
EAN: 9781410405074
ASIN: 1410405079
Publication Date: March 5, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Make time to read this one! November 26, 2008
Great for anyone who has ever questioned the relevance of God's laws to everyday life in the 21st centruy. A.J. Jacobs manages to be both funny (some parts made me laugh out loud) and respectful at the same time. I was afraid he would denigrate my faith; he doesn't, and he devotes time and attention to multiple viewpoints and faiths. Besides being entertaining, the book will challenge you to think.
An Excellent Reading Experience November 25, 2008
I was intrigued when I first saw the title of this book and after purchasing it and beginning to read it, I became fascinated with it. The very concept of Mr Jacob's experiment is interesting even to those people who don't consider themselves religious or even particularly knowledgeable in the area. And I felt like it was me that was living the experiment. I too am agnostic in my beliefs and I felt that the author's reactions to what he experienced during his year were the same as how I would react. He is puzzled by the same things that I would be and asks the same questions I would ask. That connection to me as a reader is the mark of a good writer and Mr Jacobs succeeds brilliantly. The book itself is humorous without being silly. Sometimes the humor is subtle while other times it hits you right between the eyes. Highly recommended.
Great book, fun read, not a theological guidebook. November 25, 2008
I won't recap the author's purpose of writing or the accounts of his journey-- almost 400 reviews have done that very nicely. I'll just offer my opinion. I loved this book. I didn't read it for any personal edification, any hope of divine inspiration nor for any "reality check" of religion. I wanted a fun read. I got it. I'm deeply involved in my faith and "fundamental" Christian church, and loved his premise; I thought he gave the Biblical precepts a fair run without snide cynicism.
He gently showed the absurdity strict literal interpretation can lead to without mocking traditions or beliefs. Likewise, he showed the beauty and purpose that can result even when he couldn't totally buy into the faith. He peppers his journey with a good dose of humor. I loved the role his wife plays in his life. Her humor, tolerance and support of his project make her immediately likable.
Basically,I thought his journey was a touching and poignant one. Enjoy this book without trying to make it an authority on judea-christianity or his truths and discoveries necessarily yours.
 Fundamentalists as humans November 23, 2008
Surprisingly moving for a book about fundamentalists, written by a secular Equire-writing Jewish agnostic. By deliberately entering [with sympathy] into the world of other people's sacred tenets, and trying to live [with sympathy] those tenants, the author finds additional layers of meaning in his own life. Also quite funny. [I don't think anyone would envy his wife during his odd experiment.] And his point of cafeteria religion is well-taken. No one is able to be an absolute literalist without some emphasizing of some, de-emphasizing of other commandments.
One caveat. His "Hebrew Bible" stage has a great deal more depth than does his "New Testament phase": explainable perhaps by the birth of twins during that phase--but equally understandable as he is quite conscious that although the Torah is his heritage, the Christian New Testament is not.
Also, another possible reason is that he explores some of the stranger Christian literalists' obsessions during the Old Testament phase, leaving little left of Christianity other than the divinity concept, and the social justice concepts, both difficult to enter into as a game.
Great Book! Funny read! November 22, 2008
I've just finished reading A.J. Jacob's "The Year of Living Biblically" and it was hilarious. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone I know. Very funny. (and hi Mr. Jacob's dad :) )
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