Why do they hate us so much? Many in the U.S. are baffled at the hatred and anti-Western sentiment they see on the international news. Why are people around the world so resentful of Western cultural values and ideals? Historian Meic Pearse unpacks the deep divides between the West and the rest of the world. He shows how many of the underlying assumptions of Western civilization directly oppose and contradict the cultural and religious values of significant people groups. Those in the Third World; Pearse says; "have the sensation that everything they hold dear and sacred is being rolled over by an economic and cultural juggernaut that doesn’t even know it’s doing it . . . and wouldn’t understand why what it’s destroying is important or of value." Pearse's keen analysis offers insight into perspectives not often understood in the West; and provides a starting point for intercultural dialogue and rapprochement.
#2025308 in Books The Jewish Publication Society 2011-02-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .58 x 5.98l; .86 #File Name: 0827609280250 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... is what I ordered and I am a very satisfiedBy GriggyThis item is what I ordered and I am a very satisfied customer0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. arrived quickly and in great shapeBy Nat CohenIt was purchased for book club. It arrived on time and in time for the first meeting. It is a great read.13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Lovely; Full of Comfort and Learned WisdomBy CustomerVanessa Ochs has written a lovely book in which she fleshes out the stories of Old Testament women - stories that; very often; are short on detail and leave us with more questions than answers. In the process of filling in the gaps with imaginative and meditative narratives; Ochs supplies ideas on how modern women may use the lessons of our Old Testament forebearers to ease our souls; bodies and minds.The book is divided into six sections; each addressing one aspect of modern womanhood - Being a Friend; Being a Parent; Living in a Woman's Body; and so on. Each section contains several chapters; each of which focuses on a single biblical woman. The opening chapter; in a section entitled Being Wise; focuses on Eve. The imaginative retelling of Eve's story (from Eve's perspective) following a modern-English version of a portion of the bible dealing with Eve; puts an interesting spin on the story and adds layers to what we assume we understood about the oft-blamed and misunderstood woman. A short essay (I'm tempted to call it a sermon) suggests ways in which we may hear echoes of Eve's story in our own lives - the ways in which we are misunderstood and blamed for the consequences of being too inquisitive; too adventurous and ignoring our own developing wisdom. Finally; we are invited to "Embrace the Gift of Eve" and Ochs offers suggestions for making the most of our abilities to explore and learn under our own volition and without apology. She recommends additional readings; rituals and even a recipe for apple cake to celebrate our existence as learning beings.Other biblical woman receive similar nuanced tratement. Miriam; "The [Unnamed] Woman of Valor"; Esther; the titular Sarah and even Job's wife are among those whose stories gain new relevance and interest under Och's able scholarship. No longer do women seem to hold a lesser place in the bible for Ochs fills in the blanks in their narratives and offers us valuable lessons for today and helps us learn their lessons - not just with our eyes and ears; but with our hearts.
