Passionate Marriage - David Schnarch, Ph.D.

***

Its cover testimonial proclaims its "pioneering" nature. The first of many secular perspectives. But much is to be learned if you can wade through some individualistic and other eastern philosophies. It is surprising how much christian truth is "hiding" behind the secular rationalism. I can't say that this book has as of yet impacted my sex life (see title word: "Passionate"). But it has given me a lot of food for thought in other areas of the interpersonal relationship we call marriage. Maybe that will translate over to the "passion" someday. The main thrust of the book (no pun intended) is the "differentiation" (basically being emotionally independent without God/god) and how that will result in your being able to be good, relational, intimate etc. While I agree that being interdependent, emotionally fused etc. can definitely lead to various "non-good" actions and decrease the likelihood of relational intimacy, I am yet to be convinced it is the one-stop elixir for passion's shortcoming (again no pun intended). While certain more "practical" chapters may eventually merit a re-read, large portions were personal (patient file) anecdotes and traditional psychobabble. Moral of the story: One book, even a 400+ pager, is not going to solve this problem anytime soon.

Amusing Ourselves to Death - Neil Postman

****

Very interesting commentary on the nature of the medium of Television. Written in 1985, Postman's prophetic voice rings true on so many notes. I only wish (this was also my lament after reading Postman's "Technopoly") that he was not around to put in his two cent's in the internet. I would be riveted. It is interesting that Postman's "beef" is not with the vacuous nature of most programing but rather on the presumption of some television programs to the status of a legitimate forum for serious discussion.  His argument (in my layman vernacular) is that Television is a format to entertain, not to logically dialogue in any meaningful, interactive, conclusive manner. 

China, Inc - Ted C. Fishman

***

Great read if you are interested in the global economic balance, which seems to be almost everyone these days. It gave me an inkling of how much I don't know about China and made me wish I had up to date info (this book was published in 2005 - which in our bullet train world seems like centuries ago). I originally hoped that his book would help me decide how seriously to consider a Chinese Language course commitment for our possible future children's academic program. It made me think instead that I should investigate all aspects of their (potential) academic careers ASAP. America is behind the times!