J.I. Packer: An Evangelical Life

By Leland Ryken  

The first year that I was a believer, as a freshman at Rice University, I was given a copy of Packer’s Knowing God. Little did I know the effect it would have on me, nor did I have any idea that it would become a modern Christian classic. Since then I have read it a number of other times. It is a superb overview of the glory and greatness of God, looking at specific attributes.

Though none of his other books have had the impact of Knowing God, he has been a prolific author along with being an academic who has taught most recently at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally from Britain and a graduate of Oxford University, he has wielded enormous influence in the evangelical world on both sides of the Atlantic over the last 50 years or so. He was the general editor for the superb and influential translation of the Bible, the English Standard Version or ESV.

The writer of this biography is Leland Ryken, who knows Packer personally but has not been a close colleague all of his life. Ryken has been an esteemed English professor at Wheaton College. The book is well done, both well written and well researched. I could not say this is a great biography – Packer did not live the kind of fascinating life that makes for a great biography, such as a Martin Luther or a Dietrich Bonhoeffer – but for any Packer fan, like me, this is a book not to miss.

Right Away and All At Once

By Greg Brenneman  

Greg Brenneman, current head of CCMP and former President of Continental Airlines, has developed a reputation as a turn-around artist. This is his book describing his philosophy and approach. It is filled with interesting business anecdotes, and is a positive, upbeat, fast-paced book.

Fortunately, he also applies the five turn-around steps to life, and he stresses the importance of his Christian faith along with the importance of family and friends. There is also a theme of generosity and a theme of focusing on your legacy and not your resume.

The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin

By Steven Lee Myers The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin is a major new biography by the former Moscow Bureau Chief of the New York Times.

He knows that Putin is not a tsar, but he also knows that Putin is the unrivaled dictator of Russia, with big dreams to restore Russia to a place or preeminence.

He traces the rise of Putin from very humble, poor roots in Leningrad, through the ranks of the KGB, including a stint in East Germany when the wall fell in 1989, and then into politics as the Deputy of St. Petersburg’s mayor. From there he became involved with Boris Yeltsin’s administration in Moscow, including the Director of the KGB. Then, in a surprise move, Yeltsin anoints Putin as his successor. Since that time Putin has steadily accumulated power, and no doubt wealth, to where he has been the undisputed ruler of Russia for some time.

He rode a wave of economic growth in his early years and probably helped it some. But he also eliminated fair elections and other trappings of democracy. Moreover, he eliminated rivals and critics either by exile, looting their company, sending them to prison, or having them killed. In the last few years he has been ravaging Ukraine. Corruption has soared. Honesty and transparency have suffered.

I read this book because I wanted to understand Putin more, and I have that, but this is not a book I would particularly recommend unless someone was especially interested in Russia.

Reagan

by H.W. Brands  

H.W. Brands is a master biographer and historian. This is his account of the life of Ronald Reagan.

The book seem fair – neither overly negative or overly positive. It recounts his life from his earliest years, the son of an alcoholic father and a saintly mother, to his final years in California, struggling with Alzheimer’s.

He was a man of ambition – he wanted to be in the movies, he wanted to be governor of California, he wanted to be President of the United States, he wanted to leave his mark on history. He succeeded in all of these dreams.

What was Reagan’s greatness? Why is he considered an iconic figure by so many Americans? This is my answer:

1. His engaging, likable personality. People liked
2. His communication ability. He was “The Great Communicator.”
3. His deep convictions – especially on freedom, limited government, defeating communism.
4. His love for America and unwavering confidence in America.
5. His vision and focus. He focused on two things – smaller government, defeating communism – and left details to others.

Basically, he was a good man, a man of character. He had courage, convictions, compassion. He had a basic humility.

He was not an intellectual, but he was bright enough.

He certainly had his weaknesses. He was not a good manager of people. He was not especially loyal to his colleagues. He was not an attentive or warm father. He could not easily admit his wrongs.

Was he a man of faith? A godly man? God knows, but it seems that he had a sincere faith, but not a deep or passionate faith. It is certainly disappointing that he tolerated Nancy’s practice of astrology.

Was Reagan a great President? That’s not so clear. He reduced taxes but he did not reduce spending. He did help end Soviet Communism. His tenure as President did have major impact. Certainly, he restored America’s confidence and optimism.

A Coach's Life

By Seth Davis John Wooden is widely regarded as the best college basketball coach in history, winning 10 NCAA championships at UCLA.  He is unusual in that he is in the National Basketball Hall of Fame, both as a player and as a coach.  He was an outstanding high school player in Indiana, and then later at Purdue.  He eventually became the coach at UCLA, where he had outstanding success, including coaching Lew Alcindor and later Bill Walton.  Wooden died a few years ago at age 99, having had an incredible impact on the sports world and beyond.

Wooden was a strong believer who was devoted to his wife.  He is an excellent model of a man who was committed to his family, a man of integrity and character.

This is a well-written biography, probably the definitive biography of Wooden.  The author is favorable towards Wooden but doesn’t idolize him, and recognizes some of his flaws.  For example, Wooden could be way too hard on the referees, and many of his players had disappointing experiences with him.  This is a solid biography, though I couldn’t say it’s a great one.