Summary: Five lifelong friends meet one evening in a diner. They are regulars. They all now live very different lives, but the bonds they forged in school have remained strong through the decades. One stormy night, the group begins discussing the inter-connectivity of the world, the frailty of the world’s current financial status and what it would take for the social order of things to crumble, and for a unified world government to rise in its place.
Review: I have to say, right from the start, that I almost passed by the opportunity to read and review this book. The book is essentially a book of ideas, thinly veiled within a narrative framework. I loath this format. It’s a cheap trick to try to engage the reader, lower his guard, and get across powerful ideas in a short amount of space. And it doesn’t work.
I was about to pass on this book, but I noticed all the beautiful artwork it contained and though to myself, “why not give it a try . . . at the very least it has a bunch of great art?!”
First, I need to mention that the layout and design of the physical book is gorgeous. The cover design, the folded interior flaps, the thickness of the pages, the texture of the pages, the layout of the text, the abundant artwork, the chapter headings and even the page numbers all contribute to making this book one of the most aesthetically pleasing titles I’ve ever held in my hands.
Next, I have to confess that although I am not particularly fond of the genre, The Last Tower was an enjoyable and engaging read. Using the Genesis story of the “Tower of Babel” as a metaphor for a united humanity’s lust for power, the friends engage in a thought-exercise about a variety of topics (in reference to the possibility of a dubious single-world government) including fiscal irresponsibility, resources, power, control, human nature, God, Truth, and business.
The book dips into conspiracy theory from time to time, but then pulls right out of it again. I don’t think at its heart The Last Tower is a book foretelling of an immanent New World Order, but rather a book that challenges our single-minded, self-important, self-serving worldview. In fact, the epilogue of the book consists of a series of questions, each printed on its own page with corresponding illustration, which are very poignant questions about life, God and the human condition.
The Last Tower is not without its drawbacks. As already mentioned the narrative structure is only a façade for the ideas. (Fortunately the book is a short read and I finished it in two sittings). Additionally, some of the conspiratorial content tends to overshadow the larger questions of family and community.
The book, however, is a solid read for individuals looking to explore some of the big, global questions that we are often too afraid to ask . . . or perhaps never think to ask.
Rating: 4/5 Stars (I really liked it)
The Last Tower is written by Brian Oxley and is illustrated by Tim Ladwig and Chris Koelle (epilogue). It is published by OxVision Books. Find it here on Amazon.
I was about to pass on this book, but I noticed all the beautiful artwork it contained and though to myself, “why not give it a try . . . at the very least it has a bunch of great art?!”
First, I need to mention that the layout and design of the physical book is gorgeous. The cover design, the folded interior flaps, the thickness of the pages, the texture of the pages, the layout of the text, the abundant artwork, the chapter headings and even the page numbers all contribute to making this book one of the most aesthetically pleasing titles I’ve ever held in my hands.
Next, I have to confess that although I am not particularly fond of the genre, The Last Tower was an enjoyable and engaging read. Using the Genesis story of the “Tower of Babel” as a metaphor for a united humanity’s lust for power, the friends engage in a thought-exercise about a variety of topics (in reference to the possibility of a dubious single-world government) including fiscal irresponsibility, resources, power, control, human nature, God, Truth, and business.
The book dips into conspiracy theory from time to time, but then pulls right out of it again. I don’t think at its heart The Last Tower is a book foretelling of an immanent New World Order, but rather a book that challenges our single-minded, self-important, self-serving worldview. In fact, the epilogue of the book consists of a series of questions, each printed on its own page with corresponding illustration, which are very poignant questions about life, God and the human condition.
The Last Tower is not without its drawbacks. As already mentioned the narrative structure is only a façade for the ideas. (Fortunately the book is a short read and I finished it in two sittings). Additionally, some of the conspiratorial content tends to overshadow the larger questions of family and community.
The book, however, is a solid read for individuals looking to explore some of the big, global questions that we are often too afraid to ask . . . or perhaps never think to ask.
Rating: 4/5 Stars (I really liked it)
The Last Tower is written by Brian Oxley and is illustrated by Tim Ladwig and Chris Koelle (epilogue). It is published by OxVision Books. Find it here on Amazon.
Note: I received a physical copy of this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review.
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