Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This book takes part in the current revival of social-scientific interest in the study of moralities by seeking to introduce as its foundation a cross-civilizational framework that makes it possible to subject all traditions seeking to induce socially responsible behavior, both religious and secular, to systematic investigation. ... Read more

Product Description
In recent years the United States has seen an influx of Christian athletes and coaches into big-time sports, as well as a heightened importance placed on sports in church programs and enormous platforms for intercollegiate sports at Christian schools and colleges. However, as Shirl Hoffman critiques, a Christian vision of sport remains merely superficialreplete with prayers before free throws and praises after touchdowns but offering little if any alternative vision from the secular sports culture. Far from being the kind of life-affirming, faith-affirming events that they could be, games played in Christian college gymnasiums, for example, too often end up as mockeries of the faith statements given prominence in their mission statements. Here, in this thoughtful, narrative-driven exploration, Hoffman retells numerous fascinating stories from the world of ancient and contemporary sports and draws on the history of the Christian tradition as he seeks to answer the question What would it mean to think Christianly about sport? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A worthy read for Christian athletes
There's more to faith in sports than a pre-game prayer. "Good Game: Christianity and the Culture of Sports" looks into the relationship of Christianity and the sports that so many Christians love and embrace, often thanking God for their successes or the very least hoping for it. Stating that much of the religion in modern sports is empty and soulless, Shirl James Hoffman provides many stories of genuine faith in sports. "Good Game" is a worthy read for Christian athletes.

Good Discussion Points But Goes Too Far
"Good Game" is a thorough, expansive discussion of the relation between religion (Christianity in particular) and sport.Mr. Hoffman gives an excellent history lesson for the first half of the book.The second half is devoted to commentary on the current state of sports & the Church.

I found the initial history portion to be entertaining and educational.The second half, while interesting and thought-provoking, seemed to be delivered from atop a very high horse.I don't disagree with all of Hoffman's opinions, but I frequently felt that he went to far in decrying the choices that Christians make in regard to sports and fitness today.He also seems to contradict himself quite often.

While I found Mr. Hoffman to be frequently condescending and extreme, I still found this title to be very thought-provoking and timely.Many of the issues he raises really *are* worth considering and discussing."Good Game" would make an excellent textbook for a Christian collegiate Sports Science class, if for no other reason than to inspire thoughtful debate.

I give this title only two stars because of my frequent and passionate disagreement with Mr. Hoffman's personal ideas.However, the book is very well written & researched, and he has a right to his opinions.I just wish the author had entertained a bit more empathy for the Body of Christ in general.

For more on this review, please visit my review blog, The Calico Critic.

A whole lot to chew on...
Good Game by Shirl James Hoffman is most defiantly the deepest, most thought-provoking, and heaviest book I have read. At some points, I found myself thinking that even C.S. Lewis's writings were a bit easier to work through. Sometimes you pay for what you get and with this book you get a lot of "meat to chew" on for the price!

While Good Game is by no means an easy read, quick read, or light read (just check out the incredibly massive bibliography) it is a read that is worth the time if you are up to the challenge. Hoffman really makes one think through the culture of sports and take a deep look into it's past, present, and future.

This is a book that I think is good, but also one that I can neither say "don't read" or "do read". Each person must approach this book ready to re-think a subject that so many of us are already so opinionated about. I am not sure if anyone will walk away in complete agreement, but I would highly encourage you to not dismiss everything he has to say either. There is great value in this book, I only wish it could be simplified and streamlined for easier reading.

This review copy was provided courtesy of The B&B Media Group.

Dense, thoughtful and needed
This is a very long (300+ pages), dense and thoughtful book. I didn't always agree with the arguments Hoffman set forth, but he does an excellent job at thinking critically about a topic needs further exploration - namely the intersection between Christian faith and sports.A point that Hoffman often comes back to is that Christians have been influenced by sports more than the other way around.

The first half of this book is a history of the church's relationship with sports. This was an important section, though I found it hard to get through at times. It felt more like a book I would read for class rather than for pleasure. The second half of the book was more contemporary and tackled topics such as the killer instinct and prayer on the athletic field. I enjoyed this section much more and would recommend reading it first if you are interested in this treatise, but don't have time to go through the whole thing.

Overall, I found this book well-researched (the bibliography is massive) and necessary. Hoffman is an expert on the topic of faith and sports. He uses many stories and anecdotes across generations that I had either never heard or were buried in my mind and does a masterful job weaving it all together. Sports need to be brought into the conversation between Christ and culture. Hopefully, this book will open some much-needed dialogue regarding some insidious aspects of sports and competition. It gets into some solutions at the end, but just being aware and surfacing issues is an important first step.

(The book was provided for review by the publisher.)

Thought-provoking with much to ponder
Is there a difference between how Christians view sports and competition as opposed to the rest of the world? Should there be?

Shirl James Hoffman addresses our society's obsession with sports. This is a fascinating book with much to ponder. I especially urge believers to thoughtfully read this and take a look at their attitudes toward sports. This will not be a popular book, and will likely make some folks angry or, at the least, defensive. But for those who read it with an open and reflective spirit, it will transform how they view the athletic competitions of our day.

Hoffman details the history of the Christian response to sport from the days of the early church to modern times. At various times in history, the "church" frowned upon athletics because of the mind-set needed and the potential for obsession.In modern times the church has not only accepted sports but embraced it in what the author calls Sportianity.The author also takes a look at character, and how sport impacts that, which, surprisingly, isn't always for the better.

Hoffman isn't a sports hater; on the contrary, he simply points out some troubling aspects of this obsession and provides suggestions for sports to become the well-played game it should be.


Disclosure:I received a free copy of this book from the publisher; I was not required to write a positive review. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An original examination of exactly why cultures matter
One of the best philosophy books I have ever
read, and I'm not just saying that because the
is a former professor of mine.Starting from
the observation that universal theories of
morality can tell us very little about how we
ought to live our lives, Fleishacker explains
how cultures can (and do) provide such guidance.
Fleischacker also explains why taking our moral
cues from our culture does not eliminate the
possibility of criticizing members of other
cultures, or our ability to criticize our own
culture when it goes astray.He closes with an
interesting examination of what "Western culture"
might amount to, morally. ... Read more

Product Description
Problems of individual moral choice have always been closely bound up with the larger normative concerns of political theory. There are several reasons for this continuing connection. First, the value conflicts involved in private moral choice often find themselves reproduced on the public stage: for example, states may find it difficult to do right by both justice and mercy in much the same way individuals do. Second, we frequently find conflicts among the values at stake in individual life and public life, such that the moral choice we must make is between private and public goods. Loosely speaking, choices which express these conflicts are what philosophers call moral dilemmas: choices in which no matter what one does one will be forfeiting some important moral good; in which wrongdoing is to some degree inescapable; in which one is (perhaps literally) damned if one does and damned if one doesn't.The eight essays collected in this volume explore the philosophical problem of moral dilemmas as that problem finds expression in ancient drama, classic and contemporary novels, television, film, and popular fiction. They consider four main types of dilemmas. In the first section, the authors examine dilemmas associated with political stability and regime change as expressed in the HBO television series Deadwood and in Stephen King's novels and short stories. The second section confronts dilemmas associated with public leadership, considering the ethical conflicts in Aeschylus's classical dramas The Suppliants, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and in the contemporary FOX television series 24. In the volume's third section, the authors examine dilemmas of institutional evil, specifically slavery, as they emerge in Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic novel Uncle Tom's Cabin and in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels. Finally, the collection considers dilemmas of community and choice in Toni Morrison's novel Paradise and in the contemporary film A Simple Plan. ... Read more

Product Description

Two therapists show how the culture of affluence in America creates unique problems for wealthy adults and children, often resulting in poor psycho-social adjustment, anxiety, low self-esteem, and the inability to have fun. The affluent are under tremendous pressure to achieve. They are subject to a myriad of negative stereotypes that make it difficult for them to have a normal social life. They are taken advantage of, preyed upon, and ridiculed. When they seek professional help for their problems, they may receive little sympathy.

This book is a sage and insightful primer aimed at all readers who have some wealth, whether inherited or amassed through personal effort. The consciousness-raising here includes vignettes from the treatment rooms of the authors, who have helped many wealthy individuals and families deal with the fallout from the myths with which our culture burdens them. Specific guidelines on how to deal with problems are presented.

Product Description
Conscience and Corporate Culture advances the constructive dialogue on a moral conscience for corporations. Written for educators in the field of business ethics and practicing corporate executives, the book serves as a platform on a subject profoundly difficult and timely.

• Written from the unique vantage point of an author who is a philosopher, professor of business administration, and a corporate consultant
  
• A vital resource for both educators in the field of business ethics and practicing corporate executives
  
• Forwards the constructive dialogue on a moral conscience for corporations
  
• Offers a philosophical and practical approach to considering business ethics

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Customer Reviews (1)

Garbage in, garbage out
She doesn't see anything wrong with young people. Her "statistics" validate her point. I can physically observe the actions of these humans and know that many things are not right about them. This book seems to defend all those groups who have had an impact on these people. Having paper credentials and teaching at a university is more of an expose' on the twisted thinking of her peers than it is a backing of her theory. Expressing her personal opinion is not the answer.

This book appears to be a paid backlash against those who have a heartfelt desire to limit the exposure of their children to the "pop culture" decadence we are surrounded by. The author is an apologist for those who spew disdain on morality and respect. She has no explanation of why there has been a deterioration during the previous decades, other than to say "it is nothing new". The "professionals" she quotes claimed they were fixing what was wrong with humans. Is their failure to be excused by pointing fingers at others? Or do they really not have the answers after all?

Check a copy out of the library before you spend your money. ... Read more

Product Description
Publisher: Worcester, MassPublication date: 1914Subjects: EskimosNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

Product Description
In this book, nationally prominent scholars, artists, and arts administrators provide differing perspectives on contemporary issues in national cultural policy. Triggered by recent controversies surrounding projects funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, "Culture and Democracy" explores the philosophical questions concerning the role of publicly subsidized culture in a democratic society. ... Read more

Product Description

Sex, money, and power. Themes from the latest potboiler? No, these are key temptations in a place we all know well: The office. People work most productively in humane environments with high ethical standards. Management must set the tone by talking about, and embodying, values that promote decent behavior. But how?This book considers key workplace challenges—including sexual harassment, conflicts of interest, greed, and abuse of power—in which gray areas abound (It may be legal, but . . . ). There is hope. As Stephen Goldman shows in this book, companies can move in the right direction by combining clear thinking about right and wrong and an understanding of the requirements the law imposes on conduct. And his simple guidelines for behavior will stand companies and individuals in good stead when temptations arise.

Goldman draws on his experience as a corporate litigator, Oxford-trained philosopher, and businessperson to show readers how to lead organizations committed to behaving both ethically and legally in all situations. And he does it in a new way. Most books on business ethics take one of two approaches. On the one hand are books heavily laden with excerpts from the giants of moral philosophy. They are too abstract to be useful in solving day-to-day problems. On the other hand are anecdotal books that tell interesting stories. But they do little more than present conundrums, without describing any logical method business people can use to resolve the unique problems that they are sure to face in their careers. Goldman offers a different approach, one that combines illustration and principle. Covering such timely topics as sexual harassment, questionable accounting, discrimination, and ethically corrupt corporate cultures, Goldman shows readers how to recognize the distinctions between can and should, communicate and promote the organization's commitment to honesty and trust, and measure the rewards. Even better, the book offers methods for solving key problems businesses face day in and day out. The result? Readers will stay on the straight and narrow path—to a great company culture, satisfying work, and financial success.

Customer Reviews (3)

Good
The item came as expected even though it took a little longer than I hoped.Overall though the transaction was very smooth.

Unique viewpoint, essential for anyone in business

Goldman is a lawyer, an ethics scholar, and also a businessman, so his viewpoint is nuanced in a way that you won't get just from your legal counsel.He understands how complicated office ethical dilemmas can really be.The book is readable and you can actually use what it says.Great for HR people as well, although I think a large number of senior executives will be interested because of Goldman's unique background (Oxford doctorate in Ethics, law degree from Michigan, now teaches and practices law in addition to writing books...).

A Must-Have for Business, especially senior executives and HR people
This book gives great guidelines with practical examples on how to handle real, everyday ethical / employment issues, like harassment, discrimination, power abuse and more -- for both the employer and the employee.I know and work with Stephen (he's a law professor and a practicing attorney at Sands Anderson). His book is highly readable and pragmatic, representative of his contagious energy and sensible approach.This book really is a must-have for business leaders, HR people and corporate lawyers who need practical guidelines on ethical transgressions and legal repercussions. ... Read more

Product Description
Comparative study of theology of freedom based on classical and some contemporary Christian and Hindu doctrines; includes both religion cultural review in Kerala, Bengal, and Northeast India. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Strategic Finance, published by Institute of Management Accountants on May 1, 2006. The length of the article is 3483 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Creating an ethical culture: values-based ethics programs can help employees judge right from wrong.(MCI Inc.)(Cover story)
Author: David Gebler
Publication: Strategic Finance (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2006
Publisher: Institute of Management Accountants
Page: 29(6)

Article Type: Cover story

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more