Stephen A. Smith: The Biography

University Press returns with another short and captivating biography of one of history’s most compelling Stephen A. Smith.

Stephen A. Smith is the most electrifying television and radio sports journalist in America.

He is the featured commentator and executive producer on ESPN’s First Take , fiery analyst on ESPN’s NBA Countdown , and host and executive producer of NBA in Stephen A’s World .

How did Stephen A. Smith go from being born to immigrant parents, to growing up in Queens, to playing college basketball for a Hall of Fame coach, to being a hard-working sports writer, to becoming one of the most successful sportscasters in the world?

This short book tells the intensely human story of a man who is changing the world in a way that no one else can.

54 pages, Paperback

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This was an interesting book concerning an interesting character. Hailing from New York and overcoming much in his youth to become the man he finally became. I am always interested in leaning more about other people, as their history and stories can help you in your life as well. Those hurdles they overcame may be applicable to you. More importantly, for those who are younger, they need good men and women to look up to in life (aside, of course, from their own parents who are usually taken for granted) and those people of ethics can place a seed of hope in their young minds propelling them to do great things. Never underestimate the power of imagination.

Godspeed & Good Reads!

Doc Murf

50 Big Ideas You Really Need To Know by Ben Dupre

A guide to the central tenets of Western thought, this is a work containing the principles of philosophy, religion, politics, economics, the arts and the sciences, profiling each in a series of short essays, complemented by an informative array of timelines and box features.

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This was an interesting book on 50 of the “Big Ideas” to philosophically hit mankind. While, in some instances, I could think of some better ideas, Ben Dupre had a very good list of philosophy that touched almost every person on this planet! It was interesting and well written and definitely gave a very good overview of each and every idea that he presented. This book is definitely worth a gander at in order to round off your philosophical understanding of the world.

Godspeed & Good Reads!

Doc Murf

Paid In Full: An In-Depth Look at the Defining Moments of Christ’s Passion by Rick Renner

You think you know what happened beatings, betrayals, mockery, a cross, some nails, and death. But that s just the surface of the story. What if you could get past the commonly recognized pieces of the account that tells how and why Jesus Christ died the story everyone thinks he or she already understands? What if you could discover the heart, humanity, emotion, and meaning of Jesus every encounter along the way from Gethsemane to Golgotha? Paid in Full, a riveting account of Jesus final hours, takes you on a journey that does just that. It powerfully explains the significance for every person ever born of each step Jesus willingly took along the way of His suffering, His death, and His resurrection. Noted Bible teacher and Greek scholar Rick Renner draws a vivid backdrop to the passion of Jesus Christ, interjecting fresh insights into the human and divine drama scripted from the foundations of the world. And as you follow along the journey vividly detailed in Paid in Full, you will discover an intimate portrait of Jesus you never knew. You will experience Him in a way you will never forget. Redemption had a price. Discover just how completely that price was Paid in Full!

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Every part of this book spoke to the heart of Christ’s sacrifice for us all. The pain, the abuse, the torture, all at the hands of a friend, the temple leadership, and the Romans. We all fail to truly pay attention to what Jesus really went through for each and every one of us, in order to pay our debt to God the Father. We are all wicked and must realize this and need saving, if only we would truly think about it in those terms. This book can help you remember such a thing.

Godspeed & Good Reads!

Doc Murf

Islam Explained: A Short Introduction to History, Teachings, and Culture by Ahmad Rashid Salim

A revealing guide to understanding the principles of Islam

With more than 1.8 billion followers worldwide, Islam is one of the world’s largest religions, but it is also one that is poorly understood by many Americans. Islam Explained offers an informative overview of the faith, helping those who are new to Islam foster cultural awareness while also providing those already familiar with it the opportunity to deepen their understanding.

Whether you are looking to expand your own knowledge of Islam or just better understand the practices of Muslim friends, coworkers, and neighbors, this concise and essential guide provides a solid foundation for future study and conversation.

Islam Explained features:


Easy-to-understand explanations—This book provides a complete overview ideal for those who are interested in Islam as a faith, a subject of study, and beyond.

Historical contexts—Better understand the history of Islam, how the religion has evolved, and the ways that history has shaped the lives of Muslims.

Beliefs and practices—Explore what it means to be a practicing Muslim, including the Five Pillars, laws, dress codes, and brief glimpses into how they vary between individual sects.

Take yourself on a journey that will end in a better, more complete understanding of Islam.

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I, even as a Christian, seek to better understand my brothers who are in sister religions. While Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are sister religions as they stem from Abraham…we each have very different beliefs; however, this statement goes beyond the understanding of this book. Are those who follow Islam misunderstood? I believe they are, no less than any of her sister religions, as each one has a variety of fundamentalist believers who push their particular agenda. There are also things within each that are hard to overcome, either doctrinally or textually. Each one has certain exclusionary beliefs. However, this book was a very good book to read in order to understand the more moderate, centrist, or liberal Muslim. If only we could start from a basis where we believe and work from there, we each may be able to live more amiably together.

Godspeed & Good Reads!

Doc Murf

The Fear of The Lord: How God’s Honour Guarantees Your Peace by Bukky Ekine- Ogunlana

The Fear of the Lord is a manual for victorious Christian living in today’s world written by an author with a heart for the young. Youths and adults as well, will find particularly helpful tips here not only because the writer draws illustrations from their world, but more so because a saved child or youth is worth more for God’s Kingdom. If you are keen on being a true Christian, or on living the life of Christ, and you desire heaven as your final resting place, then The Fear of the Lord is a highly recommended read.

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Prayers, guidance and other tips in order to lean toward your Creator and to rely on Him in this world of sinfulness and human nature which abounds. This book had a great number of simplistic tips to set your life right. Sometimes the simplest ideas and suggestions are the best and most appropriate in our lives. And coming from a strangers, there are times in our lives we will take such ideas and suggestions more readily. A good book to be used as a periodic reminder that we do need to have a Fear Of The Lord!

Godspeed & Good Reads!

Doc Murf