Book Log 2006 #3: Pop Goes Religion by Terry Mattingly

Mattingly writes a weekly syndicated religion column, and this book is a collection of his work put into functional areas (music, TV, etc.). This gives the collection some organization, but not enough. It'd have read a little better if related columns were presented together (for example, columns related to U2 were spread throughout the music chapter rather than with each other). There are a couple of themes presented at the start of the book, and they do show up in columns, but it never feel very unified (which, given the nature of the book, may be inevitable).

The best part of the book is likely the introduction, which has a good story about the author introducing ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons to the then-new archbishop of Denver.

Having a familiarity with contemporary Christian (in this case meaning evangelical Protestant) practice and culture helps, but isn't required. Not a bad book if you're interested in issues of popular culture and religion, but if you have a specific interest you're better off seeking out books focusing on it.