Talking About Genesis: A Resource Guide offers supplementary material for informal group discussion of the Public Affairs Television series, Genesis: A Living Conversation, produced in conjunction with Bill Moyers.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Having brought Joseph Campbell's ideas on world mythologies (The Power of Myth, 1988) and the intricacies and rhythms of modern poetry (The Language of Life, 1995) to a general audience, journalist Moyers now seeks to do the same to stories contained in the book of Genesis. In this companion to the PBS series of the same name (to air October 16), Moyers gathers the voices of numerous thinkers and writers: novelists Mary Gordon and John Barth; theologians Elaine Pagels and Phyllis Trible; biblical critics Robert Alter (whose own translation of Genesis has just been published by Norton) and Walter Breuggeman; and cultural critics like Karen Armstrong and Carol Gilligan, among others, into a fascinating, often tendentious, conversation about the living character of stories that address everything from the creation of the world and the temptations of the first couple to the internecine struggles of Jacob's family and the slavery of Joseph. In the end, however, listening in on these discussions is a little like sitting in on a therapy session, listening to participants rant about the ways they have become victims of these grand cultural stories. For example, in discussing the story of Abraham's rejection of Hagar, novelist Bharati Mukherjee complains that the story has reduced women to wombs. Moyers enjoys his role as middlebrow guru, orchestrating these disparate voices into a merely edifying conversation that tries too hard to make Genesis into a weekly supplement to Time magazine?as when, in speaking of the temptation of the first couple, Moyers remarks rather simplistically, "Genesis confronts us with many tempting questions." (Oct.) FYI: Doubleday is simultaneously releasing a study guide for discussion groups and for personal use, Talking About Genesis: A Guide ($4.95 paper ISBN 0-385-48580-8), as well as a 10-cassette audio version of Genesis: A Living Conversation ($29.95 ISBN
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource for other perspectives,
By
This review is from: Talking about Genesis (Paperback)
This book is a great resource for more thought. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a prominent Genesis story and features a short essay by authors from one of the 3 "descendent" religions. Some of the more interesting essays included: Reverend Leighton's "The Legacy of Cain", "Arguing with God" by Rosann Catalano on the Sacrifice of Isaac, and Francisco Garcia-Treto, a Cuban-American minister, unique perspectives on the exile. Additionally there are short paragraphs by such authors as Augustine, Solzhenitsyn, and Ellie Wiesel. Finally short quotes provide gems for further meditation. I found this book useful for myself as an individual, but would be great for Bible discussion groups. Though familiar, these Genesis stories never fail to surprise.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Sunday school class and discussion groups,
By A Customer
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Talking about Genesis (Paperback)
I teach adult Sunday School and this book has been a valuable companion to the video tapes of the PBS show, Talking About Genesis. The material in the book is very balanced and well-presented. The suggested activities are varied and I'm sure you could find something that fits the make-up and personality of any adult class. Our class has really enjoyed it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ooops,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Talking about Genesis (Paperback)
I have read excerpts from Bill Moyer's "Genesis" and the compilation of essays is both thoughtful and provocative. Unfortunately, I needed my own copy for a discussion group and the vendor sent a book called "Genius" instead. It was too late to re-order and the book was too inexpensive to worry about returning. Shipping cost more than the book did. Maybe one day I will read it anyway.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
