The University Bookman

Reviewing Books that Build Culture

Defending the Christian Faith

“In 100 Tough Questions For Catholics: Common Obstacles To Faith Today… David G. Bonagura, Jr. gives bite-sized answers to dozens of big questions about the faith.”

Geopolitics and the Making of the Modern World

“Brands’s book should find a ready audience among those interested in developments in the international scene over the last century. It is particularly effective in dealing with the threat that China’s emerging power and influence pose to the West today…”

The Context for Human Dignity

“While the twentieth century was still sporadically marked by remnants of Christian influence and dominance, the twenty-first has seen the final divorce of the secular and sacred, and the consequences are evident. What Leo XIII warned of, the evils he battled, have been let loose, paradigmatically captured by Artificial Intelligence which poorly imitates and devalues that which makes us essentially human… We would do well then to read Hittinger’s book in reflecting on how to face these challenges.”

Between Greatness and Hubris

“At the core of [the book] is the notion that while America is an exceptional nation, we are not immune from the perils that beset past countries and empires.”

Christians in the Brave New World

by Jason Jewell | Apr 7, 2024

“[The book] gives Christians tools to read the cultural terrain. It makes a strong argument that evangelistic and discipleship tactics must be updated to account for current conditions. And it offers outside-the-box suggestions for strengthening evangelical households and institutions.”

Still Believing and Singing

by Isaiah Flair | Apr 7, 2024

“[It is] a book that will resonate with many readers because of how it connects the personal stories about Jeremy Camp’s life to universal themes about faith and adversity.”

Higher Ed and the Crisis of Civic Despair

by Thomas Kelly | Mar 31, 2024

“The collected essays in this volume all argue against civic despair… A variety of important topics are explored… but it is the threat higher education poses to our civic compact that stands out most clearly.”

Citizenship Matters

by Hans Zeiger | Mar 31, 2024

“McNamara and Shelley… demonstrate that recovering citizenship is essential to preserving America’s constitutional tradition.”

The Mind Of Middle-Earth: Exploring The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

by Isaiah Flair | Mar 31, 2024

“The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien is a treasure trove of insights from the mind of Tolkien that we can read and then revisit from time to time…”

Swimming in the Secular Fishbowl

by David G. Bonagura, Jr. | Mar 24, 2024

“Davignon’s persuasive analysis makes a valuable contribution to the study of secularization and religion by moving the conversation away from ethereal ideas and into the daily reality of people’s lives. Secularity is not the musings of professors in an ivory tower… It is more like the water in a fishbowl…”

JP O’Malley Interviews Author Joseph Berger

by JP O’Malley | Mar 24, 2024

“’I was inspired to write this biography because I felt it would allow me to humanize Wiesel,’ …[Berger] explains.”

Why America Needs to Rediscover American Exceptionalism

by John Hendrickson | Mar 24, 2024

“…Edwardsson traces the historical development of American exceptionalism and how it has changed throughout our history. Further, Edwardsson argues that the traditional view of American exceptionalism… has been undermined as a result of political ideology from both the political left and right.”

Portrait of an Artist

by Sean McGlynn | Mar 17, 2024

“The work of the Welsh artist Gwen John (1876-1939) has recently re-emerged from relative obscurity. This is due to two fine exhibitions in England in 2023… and a new book of her life by Alicia Foster, curator of those exhibitions… Collectively, they offer a welcome appreciation of the delicate and often brilliant paintings of an artist and complex personality who underwent both professional and spiritual trials in her fascinating life…”