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Jason Chavez

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Phenomenal work

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-04-25

This is a must-read for combat veterans and anyone seeking an unfiltered look at war’s raw reality. As a veteran who returned from Afghanistan, I initially avoided war books, wary of revisiting the chaos. But Sledge’s account broke through that reluctance. His vivid, honest reflections on the Pacific campaign capturing the fear, exhaustion, and camaraderie mirrored my own buried emotions in a way that felt both haunting and healing. I wish I’d read this when I first came home; it might have helped me process the unspoken weight sooner. This isn’t just a war story it’s a lifeline for those who’ve lived it. I loved this book for its brutal clarity and the quiet strength it offers without preaching or pretending.

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A Guide for us all.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-27-25

Guide for the Perplexed, written by the medieval Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides in the late 12th century, is a towering work of religious philosophy that seeks to reconcile faith with reason. Originally composed in Arabic under the title Dalālat al-ḥā’irīn, it was later translated into Hebrew and other languages, gaining a wide audience across religious traditions. The book is framed as a letter to a student grappling with the apparent contradictions between biblical scripture and the rational inquiry of Aristotelian philosophy. Its central aim is to guide those “perplexed” by these tensions toward a deeper, more coherent understanding of God.

When it comes to understanding God, Guide for the Perplexed is both profound and challenging. Maimonides doesn’t offer a simple, devotional portrait of the divine. Instead, he dives into a rigorous intellectual exploration, emphasizing God’s absolute transcendence and unknowability. He argues that human language and concepts fall short of capturing God’s true nature, advocating for a “negative theology”—where we define God more by what He is not (e.g., not corporeal, not limited) than by what He is. This approach can be incredibly enlightening for readers seeking a philosophically grounded perspective, but it might feel abstract or unsatisfying to those craving a more personal or emotional connection to the divine.

The book shines in its methodical dismantling of anthropomorphic interpretations of scripture. Maimonides insists that descriptions of God “speaking” or “walking” in the Torah are metaphorical, meant to accommodate human understanding rather than reflect literal truths. His exegesis is meticulous, drawing on Jewish tradition, Greek philosophy, and Islamic thought (particularly influences like Al-Farabi and Avicenna). For someone wrestling with how to square a rational worldview with religious texts, this is where the Guide excels—it provides a framework that respects both scripture and logic.

That said, it’s not an easy read. Maimonides wrote for an educated elite, assuming familiarity with biblical texts, Talmudic scholarship, and Aristotelian metaphysics. Modern readers without that background might find it dense or esoteric, especially in sections dissecting prophecy or divine attributes. The layered structure—where he sometimes veils his true meaning to avoid unsettling less sophisticated believers—can also make it feel elusive. You’re forced to peel back the layers, which is rewarding if you’re patient but frustrating if you’re not.

On understanding God, I’d rate it highly for its intellectual depth and originality—let’s say an 8.5 out of 10. It’s not a devotional work that brings you closer to God through feeling or worship, but it’s unmatched in clarifying the limits of human comprehension and pushing you to think critically about the divine. Its strength lies in its ability to provoke awe through reason rather than mysticism. If you’re a seeker who enjoys wrestling with big ideas and doesn’t mind a slow, deliberate pace, it’s a classic worth your time. Just don’t expect it to hand you simple answers—it’s more about teaching you how to ask better questions.

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Must listen

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-07-24

Powerful words from a great and holy man. I think it’s a must listen for anyone interested in growing their faith and understanding of the Master of the Universe.

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Eye opening

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-10-24

It’s matter of fact not conspiracy theories which I liked. Almost stopped listening because it made me anxious learning how fragile the system is today. Definitely worth your time.

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Fellow Combat Vet

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-09-23

Wow what a beautiful picture into the world of PTS. So many corollaries into my own experiences with PTS. It’s a must listen for anyone who’s been through trauma, military or otherwise. Thanks Tom.

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Don’t listen to Wikipedia

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-07-23

It’s a must listen for how to think when processing information. Be warned that when you do understand you will see all the lies in yourself and the world.

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