Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Katherine Compton (Author), David Compton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2003

“Forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them more.”

“Dusty Bibles lead to dirty lives”

"A sunrise is God’s way of saying lighten up."

“Where will you be spending eternity – Smoking or Non-smoking?”

“Don’t make me come down there! -- GOD”

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In an overwhelmingly high-tech world, church sign maxims and admonitions such as these have remained a simple, effective way to communicate to passersby. Some may find the more forthright religious sayings humorous, while the contemplative may find deep philosophical meaning in sayings intended to be merely amusing. Containing more approximately 400 of these ‘sentence sermons,’ you’ll enjoy this ‘soulful slice’ of roadside Americana.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade; First Edition edition (March 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451204069
• ISBN-13: 978-0451204066
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #679,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A feel good book of humorous church signs, August 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams (Mass Market Paperback)

The authors compiled a list of church signs they have seen while on the road. 134 pages of one, two or three clever eye-catching signs per page. It started with the title, on an empty church in North Carolina. Then they kept a notebook with them as they traveled and recorded these "snetence sermons" as they call them, adfter their epiphany in North Carolina. One of the catchiest, "When you meet tempation, turn to the light."

This is an easy read and a very enjoyable one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mixed messages in a fascinating compilation, July 17, 2003

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams (Mass Market Paperback)

"Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams: Roadside Church Signs Across America" has been assembled by Mary Katherine Compton and David Compton. In the introduction the Comptons describe this compilation of church signs as "a soulful slice of roadside Americana."

The messages include invitations, threats, puns, political comments, satire, and advice. There are musings on God, the devil, the Bible, prayer, and other topics. Along the way are a number of cultural references.

A number of the signs have an unpleasant flavor of arrogance or intolerance. Examples: "God said it, I believe it, that settles it"; "April First: National Atheists Day"; "Turn or burn"; etc. Some of the messages hint at a larger cultural war between Christian fundamentalists and secular society; this aspect of the book is particularly intriguing.

But culture wars aside, there are some delightful and thoughtful entries along the way. A couple of my favorites: "Road rage? How would Jesus drive?"; "Thank God for dirty dishes. At least you have food." Overall, a fascinating look at this cultural phenomenon.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining & Thought-Provoking., March 29, 2005

By 

tvtv3 "tvtv3" (Sorento, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams (Mass Market Paperback)

The United States of America has all kinds of unique cultural phenomena. American football is pretty much a solely American sport. Wal-Marts and McDonalds are now spreading around the globe like spores, but those multi-billion dollar business would never have survived past an initial store in any other country in the world. Another uniquely piece of American culture are billboards and road signs. A sub-category of these would be church signs which though contain all the pertinent information about services and such, often include some sort of short message that changes on a weekly basis. Mary Katherine and David Compton enjoyed reading these signs as they traveled through the country and began collecting them in a notebook. This book is the "fruit" of their efforts. In 134 pages the authors include around 300 messages that they have seen on church signs over the years. Some are humorous, some are thought-provoking, and a few are both. Just a few samples include:

"Creation bears God's autograph."

"Turn or Burn"

"Christians never meet for the last time."

"Experts made the Titanic, amateurs made the ark."

The book makes a nice little gift for a Christian friend or family member and is also a nice resource for churches to have incase the usual message writer goes on vacation for a week.