Burgchardt does a somewhat interesting job here with a fairly dull topic, in analyzing themes in the speeches of Robert La Follette, Sr. Some historical and biographical information is nicely interwoven, but the oratory is the major topic. Burgchardt shows how La Follette often relied on the condemnation of a great and cunning evil seeking to destroy morality, whether it be Iago in Othello, corporatists, oleomargarine or railroad owners. The speeches don't "read" all that well and probably were more interesting to hear first-hand, but the book overall is an interesting study. Not something I would buy to own, but I don't regret the time I spent reading it either.

For the uninitiated, 'dogmatics' is the systematic study of theology,i.e. concentrating in specific 'chapters' (loci) everything Scripture (and other theologians) have to say about the given topic. For example, Topic 1 may be "Creation," followed by a thorough study of everything Scripture has to say on the topic. Though the editors, both professed liberal Lutherans, have undoubtedly worked hard at compling the latest scholarship, conservative Christians (and esp. conservative Lutherans) will shudder at the results. Completely promoting the idea that the Bible is a man-made, evolutionary document, the authors have the brashness to suggest such things as that Jesus of Nazareth may have been the product of the rape of a young Jewish girl by a Roman soldier. There are other atrocities as well. Received as progressive, ecumenical, and enlightening by liberal factions in Christianity, "Christian Dogmatics" leaves Bible-believing followers of Jesus saying, "All accolades aside, it this true?" For those looking for an anchor for their faith, this text will only set the searching soul adrift into the sea of modern theological confusion, where truth is relative and, in the end, unknoweable.

Commenting only on volume II (you can buy it seperately), Gerhard Forde's locus on Christian life (eleven) is awesome!! I would give this volume 5 stars if it contained only the eleventh locus (and maybe the twelfth). My understanding of sanctification has been completely turned around thanks to Dr. Forde.

Its not that its a bad book, but that it was certainly not a book that I feel makes the subject easy to understand or comprehend. I feel that there must be other books, such as those in similar fields by Cengal and Boles.

If its prescribed for a paper I would reckomend getting it out from the library rather than buying it. I had to buy it for an open book exam, and am now having trouble selling it, no one wants it!

If you want a book to read to learn about thermodynamics try other titles, this one wont do your effort justice.

(I got a B in the paper anyways)