Randall Balmer's Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory is an insightful and engaging journey into the world of conservative Christians in America. Originally published twenty-five years ago and the basis for an award-winning; three-part PBS documentary; this new edition is complete with a new chapter and an Afterword.In this immensely readable tour of the highways and byways of American evangelicalism; Balmer visits a revival meeting in Florida; an Indian reservation in the Dakotas; a trade show for Christian booksellers; and a fundamentalist Bible camp in the Adirondacks. Through the eyes of those that Balmer meets on his journeys; we arrive at a more accurate and balanced understanding of an abiding tradition that; as the author argues; is both rich in theological insights and mired in contradictions. Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory offers readers a genuine insight into the appeal that the evangelical movement holds for thousands of Americans.
#599047 in Books 2013-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.50 x 1.10 x 8.20l; .0 #File Name: 0199322481432 pages
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A myth-busting experienceBy Balazs PatakiCertainly; the book delivers on its promise to bust the myth of brave freedom fighters resisting bad invaders with the help of the free world. Without over-explaining the obvious; "Afgantsy" draws very obvious parallels between Soviet and more recent Western attempts to forcibly bring Afghanistan to a forward track; against all the backwardness and inertia that seem to rule that land outside of the big cities. Despite the many; so often heart-wrenching personal stories of both Soviets and Afghans; this conclusion is probably the worst news the book tells; and also its greatest value - because what more could a work of history achieve than being a lesson for the present day? Unfortunately; recent-day decisionmakers probably haven't read Braithwaite's book neither relied much on the views of old Mid-East hands like him; hence didn't learn the lesson.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Very Good Read!By Gilberto VillahermosaWell researched; well written; and tremendously insightful! Author Rodric Braithwaite provides unparalled and unique insights into the Russian invasion and occupation of Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989. "Afghansty" is in fact Afghanistan from a Russian perspective - a useful and valuable work. Unfortunately the author tends to lean toward Russian interpretation of events at the cost of scholarly balance. He accepts; without reservation; Russian estimates of more than 15;000 killed in Afghanistan. More recent works; however; especially by the Russian General Staff; indicate that almost twice that number perished in the war. Still; this is a very good read; worth investment in time and money.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Riveting; and an excellent primer on Afghan historyBy tigeMr. Braithwaite offers the reader a hard-hitting; riveting and raw-boned look at the experiences of the Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan. Having spent three years there myself; I had opportunities to visit some of the very battle sites described in the book; as well as see the acres and acres of discarded Soviet military hardware littering the harsh barren landscapes. These soldiers gave their all and fought like tigers against a well-entrenched insurgency; only to be spurned; discarded and forgotten by the very country that sent these young people into harm's way in the first place. Some of the accounts were gut-churning and in a few cases; emotional; and any reader who ever served in any army would immediately identify with those experiences; no matter whose side one would be on. In conjunction with reading Afgantsy; one should also view the superb Russian movie; "9th Company" to provide an excellent reference point to the sacrifices and experiences these guys made for their motherland.
