American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream [Paperback]

Bob Hostetler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006

Although not inherently corrupt, the American Idol television program has magnified a culture preoccupied with fleeting fame and image overload. Feeding off that frenzy, American Idols takes a necessary look at the false gods in modern society. The golden calf of Bible times may be gone, but in its place today are enslavements to consumerism, celebrity, sexual freedom, easy religion, and more. This timely book helps readers realize and overcome their own idolatries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080544078X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805440782
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bob Hostetler is a writer, editor, and speaker from southeastern Ohio. His 20 books, which include "They Call Me A.W.O.L." and "Holy Moses (and Other Adventures in Vertical Living)," have sold over 2 million copies. He has coauthored eight books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling "Right from Wrong: What You Need to Know to Help Youth Make Right Choices" and the award-winning "Don't Check Your Brains at the Door." He has won two Gold Medallion awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and an Amy Foundation award.

Bob is a frequent speaker at churches, conferences, and retreats. He has been a disk jockey, pastor, magazine editor, freelance book editor, and, with his wife, Robin, a foster parent to 10 boys (though not all at once).

Bob and Robin have two adult children, Aubrey and Aaron.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Perspective on American Priorities, June 10, 2006

By 

DrMc (Florence, Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream (Paperback)

If you've ever looked at our culture and wondered why in the world it got this way, Bob Hostetler's book, American Idols The Worship of the American Dream, addresses the cultural and personal values that created it. Well-written, thoughtful, and easy to read, the book addresses the things we really think are important: how we look, what we have, comfort, instant gratification, choice, financial success...our modern American idols. As a mass media professor for the last 25 years, the book `rang true' in the fact that most of those `idols' are based on short-term satisfaction, what we can understand at the moment, and what "works" for us, because I teach about how those `idols' are consistently represented in modern media. Bob brings the discussion down to everyday experience and shows us very clearly how we may be accepting and creating idols without recognizing what we're doing.

A few years ago I placed The New Tolerance (by Bob Hostetler and Josh McDowell) on my recommended reading list for two of my undergraduate media courses, and like that book, this one is an easy read but with lots `meat' to really get a reader thinking about important issues. The students who chose to read it thoroughly enjoyed it and obviously learned a great deal from it. I expect the student reaction will be just as enthusiastic when I place American Idols on that recommended list this fall. While this book is written from a Christian perspective and would be perfect for study groups and Christian discipleship classes, it has strong cultural applications for every American. It has a lot to say about who we are as a people and a culture, and it challenges us to face the fact that we all should probably examine why we are the way we are.

American Idols The Worship of the American Dream is one of those special books on my shelf that will soon be well-worn and filled with multi-colored hi-lighting because I will refer to it again and again. It can be read, understood and have practical impact on the lives of teenagers, young adults, and those of us who are a little older than that. It is well-written, substantive, and grounded in the Word of God. Bob Hostetler shares new perspective and real truth about the idols of our culture in a down-to-earth, engaging way that motivates serious consideration about what we really think is important and why. This book is a valuable investment in time, money and contemplation. I strongly recommend it to students, teachers, parents and anyone interested how we determine our personal and cultural priorities.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging, yet easy to digest, January 6, 2006

By 

Buck's Girl "loves2read" (Hamilton, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream (Paperback)

This book is clear, concise, and very direct. The author has a way of placing truth in a context that is easy to understand and even better, easy to digest. I believe this book to be completely God inspired and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge in every chapter.I absolutely loved it-so much so I have decided to start a study with some people from work. The author has group studies available on his website at www.bobhostetler.com. I can't wait to see how much more God reveals to me through them.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars clear and on point, December 30, 2005

By 

Howard (Grove City, PA, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream (Paperback)

I had always known people tend toward idolatry. This easy-to-read (because well written) book brought the issue sharply into focus for me. It is worse than I care to admit. Thankfully he doesn't stop there. He knows how to make things right. I want to use it in Sunday school as soon as possible.