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Boston Globe
19-06-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Walter Brueggemann, theologian who argued for the poor, dies at 92
His best-known book was 'The Prophetic Imagination' (1978), which has sold more than 1 million copies, according to Publishers Weekly. But there were dozens of others, including collections of his sermons and guides to studying the Old Testament. Dr. Brueggemann's work, while little known to the general reading public, is widely used in seminaries. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Jim Wallis, a progressive evangelist and theologian who heads Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice, said in an interview that Dr. Brueggemann was 'our best biblical scholar of the prophets -- and he became one himself.' Advertisement 'There are court prophets, prophets who just speak to what the king wants them to say,' Wallis said, 'and then there are the biblical prophets who speak up for the poorest and most marginal.' Dr. Brueggemann, he said, was akin to the second kind. Born to a pastor in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, an ancestor of the latter-day United Church of Christ, Dr. Brueggemann grew up in modest circumstances. His grandparents were Prussian immigrants, and his family arrived in the Midwest via New Orleans. He remained an active member of the church throughout his career, speaking frequently at conferences. Advertisement A small-town Missouri boyhood baling hay and working at service stations gave him a natural sympathy for the underdog, Conrad Kanagy wrote in 'Walter Brueggemann's Prophetic Imagination: A Theological Biography' (2023). Dr. Brueggemann's reading of Scripture was unusually pointed and critical of establishment churches, shaped by what Kanagy called his 'German evangelical Pietism.' 'The contemporary American church is so largely enculturated to the American ethos of consumerism that it has little power to believe or to act,' Dr. Brueggemann wrote in 'The Prophetic Imagination.' For him, Yahweh, the God of the Hebrew Bible, is 'a real character and an active agent,' he said in a lecture in 2023 -- a God that is disappointed in mankind's failings and yet promises 'a new world that is possible.' In 'The Prophetic Imagination,' Dr. Brueggemann drew a sharp contrast between this God and the gods of the empire. The God of Moses, he wrote, 'acts in his lordly freedom' and 'is extrapolated from no social reality.' Unlike pharaoh's gods -- who were invented to legitimize power and preserve the status quo -- Yahweh disrupts it, calling people toward justice, liberation, and hope. Yahweh 'is captive to no social perception but acts from his own person toward his own purposes,' Dr. Brueggemann wrote. 'At the same time,' he added, 'Moses dismantles the politics of oppression and exploitation by countering it with a politics of justice and compassion.' For Dr. Brueggemann, Kanagy wrote, 'the biblical text was meant to be a free document that told the story of a free God who related to a free people past and present.' Advertisement The church's role thus seemed clear to the theologian. 'The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us,' Dr. Brueggemann wrote. It was, in his view, the church's role not to reinforce established social realities but to question systems of power and inequality at every turn -- just as, say, the church leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement had done by invoking Scripture to confront racism and injustice. A passage in the Book of Jeremiah had a particular impact on Dr. Brueggemann, Kanagy wrote. God says: 'To care for the poor and the needy, is this not to know me?' according to Jeremiah. Understanding these words 'was a crystallizing moment for Walter, as he recognized that the text did not say, if one has knowledge of God, then they will care for the poor,' Kanagy wrote. 'Or that if one cares for the poor, they will get knowledge of God. Rather, it simply declares that 'the care of the poor is knowledge of God.'' Dr. Brueggemann taught generations of seminarians, first at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis and then in Decatur. On a blackboard, he would lay out patterns and repetitions of biblical text for his students. 'He was famous among students for jumping up on tables, mimicking the Almighty, and doing just about anything to help students make connections with the text,' Kanagy wrote. Walter Albert Brueggemann was born March 11, 1933, in Tilden, Neb., the youngest of three sons of August and Hilda (Hallman) Brueggemann. He grew up in rural parsonages in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, according to his website, but mostly in Blackburn, Mo., where his high school had 30 students and one shelf of books, which he 'read and read again,' Kanagy wrote. Advertisement He received a Bachelor of Arts from Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University) in Illinois in 1955; a bachelor's in divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in 1958; a doctorate of theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan in 1961; and a doctorate in education from Saint Louis University in 1974. He taught at Eden from 1961 to 1986 and also served as dean there. He became a professor of the Old Testament at Columbia in 1986 and retired in 2003. He leaves his second wife, Tia (Ehrhardt) Brueggemann; two sons, James and John; and five grandchildren. His first marriage, to Mary Bonner Miller, ended in divorce in 2005. Throughout his career, Dr. Brueggemann called for a questioning of, and a pushing back against, the status quo, with a focus on those on the margins of society. 'It was a biblical matter for him, to be ignoring the poor while rewarding the rich,' Wallis of Georgetown said. 'We will not understand the meaning of prophetic imagination unless we see the connection between the religion of static triumphalism and the politics of oppression and exploitation, " Dr. Brueggemann wrote in 'The Prophetic Imagination.' He added, 'It is the marvel of prophetic faith that both imperial religion and imperial politics could be broken.' This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mindy Uhrlaub's Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family Launches Today (5/27/25)
One woman's story of confronting her genetic legacy and searching for a cure AUSTIN, Texas, May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Award-winning ALS activist and author Mindy Uhrlaub today launched her new book, Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family (River Grove Books). While caring for a sick mother, a son with behavioral problems, and a husband going through cancer treatments, Mindy discovered that she carries a gene for the fatal neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Last Nerve walks readers through how Mindy navigated the new territory of having three close relatives with life-threatening situations, and had to come to terms with the fact that she may have passed the fatal gene on to her two sons. Not one to fold, Mindy faces her circumstances head-on, realizing that her race for the elusive cure for ALS is not only for herself but also for her kids, her cousins, and the thousands of other carriers of the fateful gene. Despite the incredible strain of all these challenges, Mindy manages them with amazing tenderness, persistence, and love. Far from a depressing story of misfortune, Last Nerve is as uplifting and witty as it is raw and real. It's a testament to hope, the endurance of family, and the resilience of the human spirit. Early reviews for Last Nerve praise the book as a "heart-warming memoir of motherhood, ALS, and never backing down" (Publishers Weekly), and as a "complex and thoughtful remembrance about how family members can help one another through the worst of times" (Kirkus Reviews). Foreword also described Last Nerve as "uplifting in tone despite its grim subject matter, the book focuses on hope and resilience." To learn more, please visit or order Last Nerve at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Additional Praise for Last Nerve "Mindy Uhrlaub's powerful and inspiring memoir is a work of courageous transformation. She deepens her soul by turning her pain into power and ardently committing herself to the struggle against ALS for the legacy of her mother, for herself, and for all those suffering from the disease. We are grateful."– V (FORMERLY EVE ENSLER), author of The Vagina Monologues and Reckoning "The author's bulldog spirit summarizes it all. This beautifully written memoir shines light on her unrelenting courage and resilience to fight for societal and personal causes that are dear to her. It serves as a reminder for medical professionals to treat every individual with compassion and respect, because behind every individual seen in research or clinic lies a complex tapestry of arduous battles fought daily, unwavering love, and importantly, hope."– Suma Babu, MBBS, MPH, ALS neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital CONNECT WITH MINDY: Contact Bonnie Rice at Elevate Communications, brice@ Interview: Schedule an interview with Mindy Uhrlaub about Last Nerve Review: Reach out for a digital or hard copy of Last Nerve Excerpt: If interested in publishing an excerpt from Last Nerve, indicate the chapter you would like to include About Mindy UhrlaubMindy Uhrlaub is a founding member of End the Legacy. Her debut novel, Unnatural Resources, won the 2021 NYC Big Book Award for Cultural Heritage. Mindy also received the 2025 Harvey and Bonny Gaffen Advancements in ALS Award from the Les Turner ALS Foundation. She lives in Northern California with her family. Follow Mindy at on X @MindyUhrlaub, and on Instagram @Mindywrites1. View source version on Contacts Bonnie RiceElevate Communicationsbrice@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mindy Uhrlaub's Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family Launches Today (5/27/25)
One woman's story of confronting her genetic legacy and searching for a cure AUSTIN, Texas, May 27, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Award-winning ALS activist and author Mindy Uhrlaub today launched her new book, Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family (River Grove Books). While caring for a sick mother, a son with behavioral problems, and a husband going through cancer treatments, Mindy discovered that she carries a gene for the fatal neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Last Nerve walks readers through how Mindy navigated the new territory of having three close relatives with life-threatening situations, and had to come to terms with the fact that she may have passed the fatal gene on to her two sons. Not one to fold, Mindy faces her circumstances head-on, realizing that her race for the elusive cure for ALS is not only for herself but also for her kids, her cousins, and the thousands of other carriers of the fateful gene. Despite the incredible strain of all these challenges, Mindy manages them with amazing tenderness, persistence, and love. Far from a depressing story of misfortune, Last Nerve is as uplifting and witty as it is raw and real. It's a testament to hope, the endurance of family, and the resilience of the human spirit. Early reviews for Last Nerve praise the book as a "heart-warming memoir of motherhood, ALS, and never backing down" (Publishers Weekly), and as a "complex and thoughtful remembrance about how family members can help one another through the worst of times" (Kirkus Reviews). Foreword also described Last Nerve as "uplifting in tone despite its grim subject matter, the book focuses on hope and resilience." To learn more, please visit or order Last Nerve at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Additional Praise for Last Nerve "Mindy Uhrlaub's powerful and inspiring memoir is a work of courageous transformation. She deepens her soul by turning her pain into power and ardently committing herself to the struggle against ALS for the legacy of her mother, for herself, and for all those suffering from the disease. We are grateful."– V (FORMERLY EVE ENSLER), author of The Vagina Monologues and Reckoning "The author's bulldog spirit summarizes it all. This beautifully written memoir shines light on her unrelenting courage and resilience to fight for societal and personal causes that are dear to her. It serves as a reminder for medical professionals to treat every individual with compassion and respect, because behind every individual seen in research or clinic lies a complex tapestry of arduous battles fought daily, unwavering love, and importantly, hope."– Suma Babu, MBBS, MPH, ALS neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital CONNECT WITH MINDY: Contact Bonnie Rice at Elevate Communications, brice@ Interview: Schedule an interview with Mindy Uhrlaub about Last Nerve Review: Reach out for a digital or hard copy of Last Nerve Excerpt: If interested in publishing an excerpt from Last Nerve, indicate the chapter you would like to include About Mindy UhrlaubMindy Uhrlaub is a founding member of End the Legacy. Her debut novel, Unnatural Resources, won the 2021 NYC Big Book Award for Cultural Heritage. Mindy also received the 2025 Harvey and Bonny Gaffen Advancements in ALS Award from the Les Turner ALS Foundation. She lives in Northern California with her family. Follow Mindy at on X @MindyUhrlaub, and on Instagram @Mindywrites1. View source version on Contacts Bonnie RiceElevate Communicationsbrice@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
27-05-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Mindy Uhrlaub's Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family Launches Today (5/27/25)
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Award-winning ALS activist and author Mindy Uhrlaub today launched her new book, Last Nerve: A Memoir of Illness and the Endurance of Family (River Grove Books). While caring for a sick mother, a son with behavioral problems, and a husband going through cancer treatments, Mindy discovered that she carries a gene for the fatal neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Last Nerve walks readers through how Mindy navigated the new territory of having three close relatives with life-threatening situations, and had to come to terms with the fact that she may have passed the fatal gene on to her two sons. Not one to fold, Mindy faces her circumstances head-on, realizing that her race for the elusive cure for ALS is not only for herself but also for her kids, her cousins, and the thousands of other carriers of the fateful gene. Despite the incredible strain of all these challenges, Mindy manages them with amazing tenderness, persistence, and love. Far from a depressing story of misfortune, Last Nerve is as uplifting and witty as it is raw and real. It's a testament to hope, the endurance of family, and the resilience of the human spirit. Early reviews for Last Nerve praise the book as a 'heart-warming memoir of motherhood, ALS, and never backing down' (Publishers Weekly), and as a 'complex and thoughtful remembrance about how family members can help one another through the worst of times' (Kirkus Reviews). Foreword also described Last Nerve as 'uplifting in tone despite its grim subject matter, the book focuses on hope and resilience.' To learn more, please visit or order Last Nerve at Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Additional Praise for Last Nerve 'Mindy Uhrlaub's powerful and inspiring memoir is a work of courageous transformation. She deepens her soul by turning her pain into power and ardently committing herself to the struggle against ALS for the legacy of her mother, for herself, and for all those suffering from the disease. We are grateful.' – V (FORMERLY EVE ENSLER), author of The Vagina Monologues and Reckoning 'The author's bulldog spirit summarizes it all. This beautifully written memoir shines light on her unrelenting courage and resilience to fight for societal and personal causes that are dear to her. It serves as a reminder for medical professionals to treat every individual with compassion and respect, because behind every individual seen in research or clinic lies a complex tapestry of arduous battles fought daily, unwavering love, and importantly, hope.' – Suma Babu, MBBS, MPH, ALS neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital About Mindy Uhrlaub Mindy Uhrlaub is a founding member of End the Legacy. Her debut novel, Unnatural Resources, won the 2021 NYC Big Book Award for Cultural Heritage. Mindy also received the 2025 Harvey and Bonny Gaffen Advancements in ALS Award from the Les Turner ALS Foundation. She lives in Northern California with her family. Follow Mindy at on X @MindyUhrlaub, and on Instagram @Mindywrites1.
Boston Globe
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Looking for romance? Check your local bookstore.
Rosen, the former bookselling editor at Publishers Weekly, says romance and bookstores seem to go hand-in-hand lately; some have even gone exclusive. According to a July article in The New York Times, the number of US bookstores dedicated to romance novels has steadily climbed from just two into double digits in the last two years. Local additions include Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I think during the [COVID-19 pandemic], people just wanted something to make them happy,' Rosen said. Related : Advertisement But now, it's not just the love stories on the shelves stealing the spotlight — IRL romance, happening inside bookstores, is having a moment of its own. In 'Bookstore Romance,' Rosen explores the ways booksellers and the betrothed have come together in unlikely and surprising ways, from one bride's 'Beauty and the Beast' dream come true to a surprise proposal between the Psychology and Self-Help sections. While most pairs share a love for literature, others — on and off the pages of Rosen's book — have sought out booksellers who also align with core values, such as building and rebuilding community. 'People are becoming more socially aware of their place in the world. They want to give back, they want to do something unique, they don't want to go the traditional route anymore,' said Liz Saul, associate director of events at booksellers and literary nonprofit More Than Words. Advertisement Saul said the bookstore wedding movement is the 'new bread and butter' of multi-location, youth-run stores. Their South End location reemerged from the lull of the pandemic as a popular spot for gatherings, hosting more than 20 weddings since 'coming back to life as an event space' in 2023. Many couples who were drawn to the space value the organization's mission of supporting and empowering youth, but for some, 'their first date was in a bookstore, or they have some sort of special connection to [bookstores] to begin with,' Saul explained. For Kaylah Dixon and Nick Hammes, it was both. The couple met as undergrad students living on the North Shore, and began dating during a production of 'Urinetown,' bonding over their love of the arts. In 2020, they postponed their wedding, eventually marrying in 2022 at More Than Words, after Kaylah's job in community theater connected her with the organization. The couple resonated with the nonprofit's youth program and advocacy efforts and the literary element it would bring to their celebration. 'I love looking at a bookshelf and just picking something off of it and getting lost somewhere … and you think, 'I can't wait to share this with the people around me,'' Hammes said. A setup for a potential wedding at More Than Words in Boston's South End. @warrenlanephotography On their big day, the two wanted to encapsulate their love of all kinds of media — film, books, musicals, and plays — and created a display dedicated to the favorites that shaped them through the years. Titles included 'The Color Purple,' 'Twelfth Night,' 'Homegoing,' 'Mamma Mia!,' the 'Avatar' DVDs, and 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.' Authors and playwrights the couple admired dictated the seating arrangements. Advertisement For Melissa Fetter, owner, and Serena Hanlin, private events coordinator, of The Beacon Hill Books + Cafe. Beacon Hill Books + Cafe ? Those who want more personalized experiences can pay $250 per hour for exclusive use of the space for the proposal and a photo shoot after the store's regular closing hours, Fetter said. The location itself can also be reserved and rented for wedding celebrations, including rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and receptions. These private events include staffing (such as a sommelier and servers), table settings, andfloral arrangements, often made by Hanlin herself. A wedding celebration will typically cost around $10,000, according to Fetter. 'The experience of having the whole bookstore as your private space — it feels like you're at someone's family home,' Hanlin said. 'One of my favorite compliments that we get at the dinners is 'It's even more beautiful than I could have imagined.' That's my gold standard, I always want to hear that.' Advertisement In the case of Morgan Brewton-Johnson and Sam Hall, the couple was looking for something 'quintessentially Boston' for their small local wedding. Brewton-Johnson had learned about Beacon Hill Books from one of her graduate school professors, and it became a go-to spot for the couple. Beacon Hill Books + Cafe. Beacon Hill Books + Cafe? For their November wedding, the two spent the morning together — exchanging vows and rings on the couch at home — before taking an Uber to the bookstore to greet their 20-so guests. '[The wedding day] is the way I would have wanted to spend every single day anyway, so it was nice that we got to do that on the day we committed ourselves to each other with our friends and family,' said Brewton-Johnson. Guests were each given a book, handpicked by the couple, as a wedding favor. So, are bookstore weddings the start of a happily ever after? Rosen thinks so. 'To be surrounded by stories, it's kind of a lovely way to begin the story of your life together,' said Rosen. 'Combining the stories, the beauty of the bookstore, I think it's just so nice. I know I'm biased … but the people in bookstores are so lovely.' Judith Rosen will discuss 'Bookstore Romance: Love Speaks Volumes' with author Laura Zigman at , 44 Brattle St., Cambridge, on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. Haley Clough can be reached at
