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.”

Political Economy Before Adam Smith

“…[the book] is a compilation of various tracts on the intersection of commerce and statecraft—many of which are snapshots of McCulloch’s own free-market beliefs—that serve as a compelling precursor of Smithian political economy.”

Science and Meaning: Parallel Tracks?

“Science is not the sort of activity that can answer the question, ‘Does life have meaning?’ To expect science to answer that question is like expecting your plumber to tell you whether installing fancier bathroom fixtures will make you happier.

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…”

Revolution and Counter Revolution

by John Grove | Apr 14, 2024

“We might hope that a fuller discussion may arise that brings to light how the traditional conservative commitment to ordered liberty and checked power compares to the various ideological options on offer from today’s right.”

Liberalism in its Complexity

by Philip D. Bunn | Apr 7, 2024

“Both stories should be carefully considered by those attempting to understand liberalism, its present form, and its future.”

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…”