|
American Savior: A Novel of Divine Politics | 
 enlarge | Author: Roland Merullo
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $9.99
You Save: $14.96 (60%)
New (44) Used (20) from $7.99
Rating:  54 reviews
Sales Rank: 36478
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 312
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3
ISBN: 1565126076
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9781565126077
ASIN: 1565126076
Publication Date: August 26, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand New Book, Ships Immediately
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
What if Jesus suddenly appeared and announced that he planned to run for President of the United States? Yes, that Jesus. And what if a well-meaning but utterly inexperienced band of disciples not only helped him mount a seat-of-the-pants campaign but also ran it well, getting millions of people to support him and in the process throwing the other two major party candidates#8212;as well as the world's news media#8212;into a frenzy as they scramble to discredit him? brbr Roland Merullo's bitingly clever satirical novel about the state of American politics follows one man's campaign to bring back goodness and kindness (ireal/i goodness and kindness this time) in a country that has fallen into a divisive state of fear and hatred. Merullo takes us into the heart of "a nation in grave spiritual danger" as the Son of man sets out to make everyone realize that "politics as usual" is no longer an acceptable alternative. brbr iAmerican Savior/i is a remarkably innovative novel that challenges our perceptions and beliefs while it wags a finger at the folly of our self-righteousness. It is sure to cause controversy among those for whom politics itself has become a kind of religion.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 49 more reviews...
 American Savior November 26, 2008
Robert (Henderson, Nevada)
I found this book to be extremely interesting as it was more about the main character's faith and how he delt with helping Jesus run for president than it was about politics. It mentions how Jesus is doing in the polls and how the Democrat and Republican parties are doing through out the story, however it's told from a first person perspective and you only see and know what he sees and knows. The main character has times when he knows Jesus is the real thing and then there are also times when he has a few doubts. But he continues working along side Jesus doing his best. All in all, a really good story about a man trying to find his faith. The ending is sort of given away part way through the book, but after telling you what is supposed to happen, you keep reading along wondering and waiting to see if it actually does happen. A good story that showed what a lack of faith some of America has today. The book moves along at a nice pace and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in politics, faith, or Jesus running for President.
 Wooden book for neophytes only November 17, 2008
Mike Heath (North Woods of Michigan)
It seems every generation has defining works of art that act as a powerful advocate to perpetuate practices consistent with the plain meaning of the humanistic teachings of Jesus; both in the public square and in public policy. Fine examples in the past were the play "Jesus Christ Superstar", essays like, "I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World" by MLK Jr., books such as Graham Greene's "The Power and the Glory" or Scot Peck's "The Road Less Traveled" and even George Burns in the comedic movie, "Oh, God". This effort is usually the same, to portray the hypocrisy of powerful religious and political institution's actual policies and practices relative to the author's promotion of the Golden Rule and Beatitudes as noteworthy practices. In our generation the obvious target is the religious right and Merullo's ire is justified in condemning both their rhetoric and influence in the public square when it comes to benchmarking political candidates relative to these specific teachings of Jesus. br / br /This begs the question, is this book worthy of being a primary vehicle that deserves this generation's attention? I would say no. Unfortunately the book suffers from cardboard characters, a plodding plot, few surprises, and two protagonists that really provide no compelling or original insight on how a person should inform themselves in the public square if they claim fealty to the Beatitudes. The author's creative writing skills are lacking, and his insight is so shallow this book would be useful only to someone ignorant of Christianity in general or how religion currently fuels American political debate, which is probably a very small audience. A better indictment of the religious right and more fitting for the times given they're documentaries or dark satire are the movies, Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi , Jesus Camp, and the somewhat inferred and tangential Idiocracy. br /
 Interesting but simplistic and unrealistic November 13, 2008
Grits (South, USA)
I used the word "unrealistic" not because it's unrealistic to think that Jesus would show up on the American political scene. I ordered the book fully understanding the basic plot, and intending to read it as perhaps an intriguing fantasy. The idea is in fact interesting, and it does stimulate thought at many points in the book, but what detracted for me was the rather simplistic writing style, and the unrealistic things the Savior does in the book when compared to the traditional Jesus Christ we know from scripture. Some may consider it irreverent to even plot Christ as a sudden political candidate. I didn't see it that way, though I am quick to avoid inappropriate use of the name, or attribute motives or thinking processes to him. In this case I thought the idea was intriguing for what it potentially COULD say about society and the political process. It did accomplish that, but unfortunately had some pretty unrealistic things come out of Christ's mouth, or out of others' mouths who'd seen him work in the book plot. br / br /Bottom line, it was overall a fun read, but not a great intellectual challenge or stimulation as it might have been (I'd hoped). And the writing style almost seemed like it was aimed toward a late teen or early adult level at best.
The truth is still starnger than fiction November 13, 2008
Mark Hennicke (A stone's throw from Carnegie Hall)
Roland Merullo's American Savior is certainly an entertaining read, both funny timely, especially this year. The premise the characters are quite interesting, but as the recent election cycle definitely proves, politics is a subject where the truth is stranger even funnier than any fiction could ever be. Still, American Savior is very much reading time well spent a bit of satirical story-telling that I would recommend to anyone. I'll be passing this along to an uncle of mine who I know will enjoy the book very much. Give this one a try be thoughtfully entertained.
INTERESTING BUT DISTURBING November 13, 2008
K. Faasse (Minnesota, MN USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had a hard time wrapping my head around this concept. Probably because of the election going on. I see Jesus more as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords than just president of the USA. I see Him on a more spiritual level so the book just did not hold my interest. Sorry! I would not recommend it to my friends.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
