BlakeAtwood.com

I caught myself overreacting to an Internet outage the other day. I told myself to take a breath, step back, and think about the greater perspective. Then I realized that, while The Noticer is a quick read, its main idea had already gotten past my mind’s defenses.

Jones, the titular Noticer, is an itinerant philosopher, counselor, and friend, who seemingly does not age. Through multiple “chance” meetings with people in various walks (and troubles) of life, Jones (and author Andy Andrews) doles out sage advice that always comes back to regaining a greater perspective.

While the advice is worthwhile, I find it difficult to believe that the characters in the book would change their lives so drastically based on reason alone, as if one encounter with a wise man who finally speaks truth into their lives will change years of bad habits. I believe it can happen; I just don’t believe it happens all that often. However, should someone in a like situation to those found in the book read The Noticer, they might in fact be motivated to change. Or at least think about changing. Which is forward progress, even if it’s barely… noticeable.

Then again, the book even makes mention of the difference between intention and action, citing intention without action as being the same as inaction. So do you intend to change, or will your actions show your change? That’s the open question at the end of the book: Did those who meet Jones actually change?

As for my internet outage, I realized I’m more fortunate to have even a non-functioning internet connection than probably four-fifths of the planet.

Greater perspective indeed.

- posted as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogging Team

More like 4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a near-lifelong Christian, this book was eye-opening. An agnostic, liberal-leaning, New York City-based, Jewish editor of Esquire attempts to follow all the rules of the Bible. His fresh eyes, insightful mind, and open heart reveal the often dueling claims of both the Old and New Testament, showing both the beauty and the flaws of being a literalist. Fortunately, his year-long venture provides more than just intellectual fodder; it engages his life, transforms his worldview, and connects him with a religious and familial history he otherwise took for granted. I’d recommend this work to anyone, but especially to “lifelong” Christians that could use a fresh take on the Word of God.

www.ajjacobs.com

[P.S. A few weeks after this post, I found out a friend of mine was actually quoted in this book from an article he'd posted online years ago regarding Alcohol and the Bible.]