A Story for Mothers and Sons

Out of a Far Country is a story about the relationships of mothers and sons.  It contains 32 chapters of stories, which each tell a separate idea, but are interwoven together to become this remarkable book.  And it is a biography told by both the mother and son.  It is where we get two perspectives in one book.

It combines Christian values with the subject of drugs and sexual addition in an Asian American family.  I have to agree that the niche is small, but it would definitely be an interesting read for those who are passionate about the subject.

The book describes a story that shows the path from sex and drugs to living a Christian life.  Talks about one going to grad school and instead he becomes a drug dealer and gets caught.  It describes how a dental student made decisions that were good and bad, where one may argue whether the decisions were out of his control of not.

Certain excerpts of the book emphasize the pressures given to early Asian American immigrants to take care of their family and to show obedience by sending money home.  The Confucian concept of filial piety is passed on to the next generation regarding Christopher and his relationship with Angela (mom) and Leon (dad).

If you like books that describe one or more of the three things (Asian American life, gender and Christianity), then I would suggest reading this book.

For more information, I would suggest reading an excerpt from the book: http://www.scribd.com/doc/52594679/Out-of-a-Far-Country-by-Christopher-Yuan-and-Angela-Yuan-Chapter-1-Excerpt

Here is a link to the trailer of the book prepared by the author: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnnVSfBlhro

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

The Complexities of Politics and Religion: Free Market and Abortion?

Raised Right is an interesting title and I am surprised that no other book has used it as one.  Right?  What do you mean by right??


One would think, "Were you raised wrong?"


Or another possibility could be, "Were you raised left?"


Everyone has a different childhood, but I'm sure there are many people who have had proper ones. In this story - right meant conservative-Republican Christianity.  I'm sure many people can associate their childhoods with this label.  Yet, Alisa Harris was the first to write a book called "Raised Right" and how her views progressed as she swayed from her family's homeschooling to adulthood.  Yet, she is still able to keep that respect of her parents, analogous to the ever-popular classic Chinese Confucian ideals of filial piety.


One issue I stand strong on is taxation and free market.  The book discusses her dislike against bank bailouts for banks that don't pay taxes to the American government.  I am a strong advocate of free market politics and I feel that this is indeed unfair.  Entities and people who don't pay taxes should not be entitled to benefits associated as such.  Unless, it is a good financial investment for the American people to be bailing out the banks, such as generating a positive return on investment.  Free market would call for zero tolerance for bailouts and in essence, be a positive ideology for the American people in this situation, contrary to many who argue against it.


Abortions are also a major subject in this book.  In childhood, she spent her life picketing abortion clinics.  But what about adulthood?  That's for you to find out!


This is meant to be a review, but I hope to invoke conversation and discussion.  For those of you who have not read the book, I highly encourage you to do so.  This book is not only for rights of lefts, it is intended for all audiences: moderate, conservative or progressive.  An excerpt of this book is available here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/58103657/Raised-Right-by-Alisa-Harris-ch-1-excerpt


Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.