Using OCLC under Prism : A How-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians Book

ISBN 0899007600 - Like all books that have a religious foundation, I think Cobwebs deserves two reviews - one for the believers and one for the others. I'm an other, and am sad to say Cobwebs lost most of my interest before I finished the introduction.

Based on the idea that small annoyances - cobwebs - can have enough impact on a person to negatively influence their outlook and their life, Root refers to Christian teachings to support the notion of "don't let it get to you", among other things. Reference to personal responsibility makes it a nice change from the oft-repeated "it's all in god's hands" that you'll find elsewhere. Christian readers will find the book of some interest - it is quite well written in places and the bible references are presented in a light, simple to follow manner.

For the non-Christian, I'm suggesting you pass this one by. Root's writing style is nearly poetic in the intro, as he describes a walk through a forest. I look forward to hunting down and reading his fictional work. Sadly, "the prodigal" appears before the end of the second paragraph and Root's god and all his baggage are front and center for a majority of the book. This is too bad, really, because I truly enjoyed his style and think a man of some skill could easily write a helpful self-help book to appeal to, and help, a larger audience - if he didn't feel the need to bring along his own personal religious beliefs.

From a personal standpoint, I have little patience with self-help books and the people who cannot function without them. Root himself highlights one of my greatest pet peeves on the subject, explaining that cobwebs are "... not the devastating or traumatic events of life... They're heartaches, crushed spirits, running mascara, and bitter resentments" and half a page later says "... we can develop a healthy perspective that will keep us from being wrapped up or destroyed by them." If you're among the people who can be destroyed by "running mascara", you need far more help than any book is going to offer you. If, however, you'd just like to feel like you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed by small stuff, Root and his god may well be an answer for you.

- AnnaLovesBooks