Recommendations

“The Audacity of Hope“: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream Barack Obama

A reflection on economics, faith, race, foreign policy and family in American … and about the real potential to forge a consensus of common values from which to build a bipartisan American agenda. Written by a politician with a good command of history, an effective writing style, and an approach to issues that is thoughtful and honest and genuinely hopeful.

“Crazy Horse“: The Strange Man of the Oglalas Mari Sandoz

A classic and faithful retelling of the story of Crazy Horse, the warrior who bested Custer at Little Big Horn. That’s what most of us know, but this telling gives much more: a fascinating insight into the daily lives and joys and struggles and hopes of the Lakotas; a sobering exposure to the violence of the times, among the Native Americans, and between Native Americans and whites; and a depressing revelation of our own (the whites’) record on this continent, a record of greed and inhumanity and broken promises.

“Turn My Heart“: A sacred journey from brokenness to healing Marty Haugen

Powerful texts, beautiful music. Songs to use for calls to worship, for prayers, for healing services … or just for personal enrichment!

“Answer“: from Afterglow Sarah McLachlan

Haunting, tender, gorgeous song …

“I Will Be There for You“: from Heart Shaped World Jessica Andrews

I found this song while searching for a sound track for a video tribute I was preparing for a departing youth leader. I am not a country music fan (really!) but this is a great song.

“the straight story” David Lynch

The real-life story of Alvin Straight’s 260 mile trip on a lawn mower to visit his ailing brother. A beautiful and well-made film, tender and funny, illuminating the best of our human capacity for compassion and reconciliation without being preachy about it.

“In America” Jim Sheridan

A story about an Irish family resettling in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City, adjusting to a new culture and to new neighbors, but mostly a story about grief, told honestly, sensitively, and beautifully. The two young female actors are a delight!

“The Scent of Green Papaya” Anh Hung Tran

A gentle, slow-paced film set in the Viet Nam of the 1950 - 1960’s. A visually beautiful, sensitive, and tender storytelling. Read my review of the movie.

“Raise the Red Lantern” Yimou Zhang

A nineteen-year-old university student becomes the fourth mistress of the master of a household of great wealth and unbending traditions. She goes there because she has run out of other options and is ushered into a world set apart, a world of great beauty and great cruelty. The cinematography is stunning; the story is heartbreaking. The movie, set in 1920’s China, received an Oscar nomination.

“Paper Clips” Elliot Berlin, Joe Fab

This documentary film won multiple awards for its telling of a rural Tennessee middle school social studies project. The aim was to study the Holocaust, but these students, along with their teacher and administrators, tackle the project with inimitable energy, creativity, passion, and vision, touching and changing countless lives along the way … including their own. You will never look at a paper clip the same way again!