Our First Atom Bomb
An All American Story
What could it have been like to press the switch that dropped the world's first atomic bomb? What might have been going through the head of the All-American young man who had that responsibility on the Enola Gay? Complete with interviews with people like Colonel Paul Tibbets and those who knew Curtis LeMay and Tokyo Rose, this re-creation tells of the entire six hours that the mission took, from take-off at Tinian to that awesome moment over Hiroshima.
"I try to imagine being in his front seat position. Can you imagine putting anyone into that position? Making any human being responsible for that? Such power over death and life? No wonder he was mixed up. No wonder he wanted to think up a plan B, or, how did he put it?—to try to reshuffle the cards. I can understand why you and he would want to imagine things differently. Imagination is needed if we are going to see other possibilities in time of war." -- From an interview with Dr. Theodore McCluskey S.J.:
“And maybe the Russian part of it isn’t so scary any more, thanks to Reagan, but we’re still relying on our nuclear arsenal as the fi nal threat. You may not like it, but you can understand Israel wanting one too, and China and then India and Pakistan along with the Frogs and Brits and now North Korea and soon Iran and who knows who else? It may not be long before some Osama bin whoozits gets his terrorist hands on one.” -- From an interview with Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets (USAF Ret.)
Day By Day
Loving God More Dearly
"I have used this prayer every morning for donkey's years, and these are lovely and moving reflections on the prayer of Bishop Richard by Bishop Fred. A must read!"
Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Emeritus
"A beloved bishop of our time reflects on the life and prayer of a bishop of the thirteenth century, and we are richer for knowing both men. Reading Day By Day is like having a good conversation that is both scholarly and comfortable--a warm and wise invitation to prayer as a way of life and daily living as a way of prayer."
Pamela Cooper-White
Professor of pastoral Theology, Columbia Theological Seminary
"Day By Day is a beautiful and imaginative meditation that plumbs the depths of the Christian life by reading Richard's prayer, Richard's life, and ours into one another."
Marilyn McCord Adams
Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford University
The
Spirit Searches Everything
Keeping Life's Questions
In this thoughtful and informative book, Frederick Borsch explores life's "big questions." In an inquisitive and pastoral voice, Borsch takes on the matters of thinking, awareness, the fundamental quality of creation, the possibility of a Spirit of life that underlies it all, good, evil, and meaning. With openness and honesty about the roles such questions have played in his own life as a husband, parent, teacher, and bishop, borsch invites readers to engage the questions in their own life stories.
see Powerpoint presentation: "Recent Cosmological Discoveries:Questions and Answers" by Professor Scott Dodelson, Head Theoretical Astrophysics Group Fermilab (note: this files takes a few minutes to load)
Introducing the Lessons of the Church
Learned without intrusiveness, pastoral without condescension, these beautifully concise introductions provide everything a congregation needs for a more thoughtful hearing and understanding of scripture.
--Jack Miles, Pulitzer Prise-winning author of God: A Biography, and lay reader
With accessible, clear, and gracious language, each of the readings of the ecumenical Sunday lectionary is introduced here. As a focus for preparatory Bible study, as printed texts for the assembly, or even as a few simple words spoken before each of the readings, these introductions awaken our ears and hearts once again to the primary texts of the Christian faith.
--Gordon W. Lathrop, Professor of Liturgies Emertius, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
The
Magic Word
Stirrings and Stories of Faith and Ministry
Bishop Fred Borsch weaves the many strands of his multi-textured interest and responsibilities into a highly readable text. Racially, linguistically, and economically, the Diocese of Los Angeles and its administration prompt reflection for the future of other cities and churches in the nation. Borsch's archive-memoir forms a gorgeous tapestry of political and social commentary, prayerful reflections on highly contentious areas of Los Angeles life, musings, meditations, and memories of acute self-awareness. Borsch brilliantly uses the narrative form of the essay, poetry, and historical research in this manifold description of the life of a bishop. He manages to give sense of the dailiness, of routine, as well as the problematics of an enormous, complex diocese. The richness of this bishop's tenure is rendered in writing that is profound, informative, sometimes comic, often wrenching. Borsch has given both Episcopalians and others who ponder the theology of daily life much to reflect upon and enjoy.
Outrage
and Hope
A Bishop's Reflections in Times of Change and Challenge
In Outrage and Hope, Bishop Borsch offers a thoughtful Christian's response to the challenges of a complex age. In direct, approachable style, he establishes the essential link between private faith and the public world. Pastor and prophet, he grounds his wisdom in a profound love of both God and humankind.
Hodding
Carter
Knight Professor of Journalism, University of Maryland
Fred Borsch is at his best when he's telling stories about his own life and aspirations -- the time when he was in a plane crash; his trip to El Salvador; the time his car broke down on the way to the dedication of a new church. If there is an overarching message in the book, it is that we need not agree with each other in order to love each other, nor must we be alike in order to rejoice in the divine paternity which is ours in common. Fred Borsch is a man who genuinely loves all of God's children, and it shows.
Steven
B. Sample
President, University of Southern California
Fred Borsch is a columnist disguised as a bishop. As a former editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times I stand in awe of his ability to combine a scrap of story, a few well-chosen facts, and just the right line of scripture in a call to moral action or reflection that somehow never leaves the reader feeling morally snubbed. I plan to read carefully and plagiarize shamelessly.
Jack
Miles
Contributing
editor, The Atlantic Monthly, and
Director, Humanities Center, Claremont Graduate School
Many
Things in Parables
Extravagant Stories of New Community
"A very refreshing and helpful book. . . . The work of Borsch informs and engages. The preacher looking for sound exegesis of the parables in the service of proclamation will find the work of Borsch to be one of the best, if not the very best, available in the field."
-Arland
J. Hultgren
Luther Northwestern Seminary
"Borsch's skillful use of illustrations [helps] bridge the gulf between our experience and what we hear in the parables. ... I commend this book as a wonderful introduction to the parables. It would make a good textbook for either school or parish. Preachers will find much to stimulate their meditation."
-Rodney
A. Whitacre
Trinity Episcopal
School for Ministry
COPYRIGHT © 1988-2006 BY FREDERICK HOUK BORSCH All rights reserved.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to the following for permission to reprint previously published material by the author: Crowley Publications, Cathedral Center Press, Trinity Press International, Fortress Press