Just finished Crowder and Hogan's book on death, the soul and Bill Monroe. (Thanks, Jinx, for throwing it my way.)

The book started a bit too "Crowder" for me - complete with a little too much in the way of self-deprecation and humor that felt a little flat initially. However, the more I read, the more I loved the book.

It's a fantastic read; the historical stuff alone is well worth the time and money the book would ask of you. I didn't pay for this book. Jinx let me borrow it. (Thanks again, Jinx.) I loved the idea of understanding the "soul" as a concept throughout the ages. I think both Crowder and Hogan were painfully candid with their own feelings regarding the loss of Kyle Lake, an aspect of the book that was quite powerful.

My only real complaint about the book is that it was too short. It's as if the end of the book snuck up on me. I had read the soul stuff, I had read the bluegrass stuff, and I was ready for more. I also thought the "columns" sections were creative - maybe a bit too proud of their postmodern typesetting - but a neat set of stories about connection. (I still don't get the 1.6 thing. Maybe somebody who's read it can help me out.)

I encourage you to pick up the book. I think it's one of those that most everybody can gain something from.

I'd just like to say that Justin Jinkins let me borrow this book. Thank you, Jinx. You are a good friend and I always enjoy spending time with you. You are a great guitar player, man, and a Godly young chap who's doing his very best to be all that he can be.