Catch-up Time

Elvis, Willie, Jesus, and Me, by Bert Mongtomery. I'll admit it: I bit because of the title and because Montgomery was at the CBF General Assembly signing books. As authors go, he's fine. As ministers go, he seems sincere. Yes there were some amusing parts, but for the most part, it was incredibly light, and much like fast food, not substantive enough to stick with me. Perhaps the saving grace was Montgomery's ability to find Jesus everywhere he looked. Seek and you shall find. He sought, he found, and there's inspiration in that.

The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Can it be true that it took 48 years of living before I finally read this classic? I suppose better late than never. In an attempt to keep pace with BoilerBaby 1 who is reading the books on the Time 100 Best Books, I chose this book, which I've owned for probably 15 years.

What a family. What characters. Ma Joad, the strength, the moral compass, the backbone of the family, as women always must be in difficult times, whether it be war or famine. Pa Joad, bent to near breaking by his inability to support his family. Uncle John, so tormented by a major mistake, his sin. Jim Casy, the reverend who develops a more pragmatic, sincere idea of religion. Tom Joad, who takes on the role of an activist when it's all said and done. And what can one say about Rose of Sharon, once one gets past her name, of course. What a whiny-butt! What a way to end the book though! Wow!

Overall, the story of the Joad family reinforces my faith in labor unions and the federal minimum wage. Perhaps we have become a more socialistic state, but I can't help but think that our country is better for it. Allowing exploitation of some for the benefit of others is entirely inconsistent with the Christian nation we purport to be. Yes, the Joads are a fictional family, and yes, Steinbeck's own bias likely means that the story is not a completely accurate portrayal of the dust bowl and the Great Depression, but it should be mandatory reading for all who critical of the living wage movement and complain of government regulation. If there's one thing that's certain, it's that when men are driven by profit, without reasonable restraints, their fellow man is likely to get short shrift. Or, as the Bible says, the love of money is the root of all evil.

I understand why this book makes many a list of the "best books."

On the horizon:

Listening to, Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne. Started The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen.