Review: The Governess of Penwythe Hall

Cordelia Greythorne is comfortable in her role as governess to the children of Randall Twethewey. Having fled Cornwall following the death of her husband, she has settled into life at Easten Park a truly loves the children under her care. These children had earlier lost their mother, and look to her with love and respect.

 All of that is upended by the sudden death of Randall Twethewey. Twethewey, in the moments before his death, requests that she and the tutor stay on to care for the care for the children, at the estate of his brother, Jac Twetheway, in Cornwall. Though she fears the return to Cornwall she stays with the children and they all depart for Penwythe Hall.

Jac Twetheway, accused of having stolen Penwythe Hall from Randall, is busy trying to establish the orchards and make the estate profitable again. He does not receive the letter regarding his brothers death, and is quite surprised at the arrival of the tutor, five children, and their mysterious governess.

At the Frost Ball rumors swirl about Delia and her background, and the arrival of her brother in law leaves her rattled, yet Jac is sure of her character and trusts her fully even when she evades his questions.

This story was rich and captivating. I loved Delia’s devotion to the children, the way that their relationship with Jac slowly grows and flourishes, and the mystery and suspense that builds throughout the story.

The book also has rich descriptions of the orchards, garden, crags, and moors that bring the setting to life.

This light romance was a joy to read, and the suspense kept turning the pages until late at night. I finished this book the day I started it.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book through the Amazon Vine reviewers program.

This book will be available April 16, 2019.

Book Review: Waiting for Morning/Brides of Last Chance Ranch

Book Description

The Brides of Last Chance Ranch, #3

Molly Hatfield comes to Arizona Territory seeking stability and security. But living in Cactus Patch provides her with more than she ever dreamed.

There is nothing Molly wouldn’t do for her teenaged brother, Donny. Blaming herself for the accident that left him wheelchair bound, Molly has dedicated her life to his care. But in 1896, gainful employment for a woman is hard to come by. So when Molly learns that an eccentric rancher in Cactus Patch, Arizona, is looking for an heiress—someone to take over management of the ranch in exchange for future ownership—she jumps at the chance to provide a real home for her brother.

However, Molly didn’t bank on meeting Dr. Caleb Fairbanks, the town’s charming unmarried doctor. Caleb has a way with Molly that makes her nervous. But it’s how he is with her brother that really alarms her. Caleb sees past the wheelchair and genuinely likes Donny, but Molly fears he’s putting unrealistic ideas into her brother’s head. Falling in love with Caleb would threaten everything she’s worked for, even her brother’s future happiness. But it could be the very reason God brought her to Last Chance Ranch.

My Review:

This book is an adventure right from the first chapter. Beginning with a devastating fire that, the now-former dance hall girl sets out with her crippled brother to find a new life at Last Chance Ranch.

Always feeling like an outcast, Molly struggles to fit in at the Ranch, while wrestling with "fitting in" to the body of Christ as well. 

I loved the quirky and colorful characters in this book. They were funny yet sincere and always very lively. Having read the previous books in this serious, I loved the look back into the lives of the other characters, yet it would be fine to read this book as a stand-alone too.

What I most appreciated about this book was the strong message of faith - something that is often missing from Christian fiction today.

*I must mention I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the BookSneeze program.

Review: Silent Night by Colleen Coble

Book Description

As Christmas day nears, Bree and her faithful search-and-rescue dog Samson follow the trail of a troubling mystery into the snowy forests of Rock Harbor.
Bree Matthews is preparing for Christmas guests, but her heart is reeling from the recent and tender loss of her unborn child. Her sister-in-law, Lauri, suddenly turns up on the doorstep of the lighthouse home Bree shares with her husband, Kade, in Rock Harbor. Secretive and withdrawn, Lauri seems curiously intent on discovering what happened to a parachuter who disappeared in the North Woods along Lake Superior's icy shore.
As Bree and Samson, her search-and-rescue dog, plunge into the search, Bree wonders if Lauri may know more than she’s admitted about the parachuter. And then the clues lead them to the trail of a young woman whose family fears the worst about her disappearance.
Will the search on this snowy, silent night lead Bree and Samson to more than clues about the missing girl? And will Bree’s prayer for a baby ever be answered?

My Review:

I had high hopes for this book. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite author and so far I have enjoyed the Rock Harbor series.

This book had a lot of potential. The look back into the lives of characters I've come to know in previous books was nice. The plot started out looking like it would be the complex and multi-faceted plots I have come to expect from Coble. And, in some ways she delivered. The plot moved very quickly and there were a very subplots that were interesting. There were unexpected twists in the plot that kept it interesting. But, in the end, I was just a little disappointed.

First, it really lacked the depth that I had expected. As I said, it started out looking like a complex plot, but it ended up seeming like there were just a few details thrown in to keep the smaller storylines going.Perhaps some of it was just a bit too ambitious for a novella.

And then, the storyline seemed very rushed. While I tend to expect a fast moving story from Coble, this one seemed very rushed.  It seemed like the foundation for a great book was there, but it needed more time and development to really make the story come alive. When I reached the end I couldn't help but think "That was it?" It just seemed too short, even for a novella.

Overall, it is a good book, but it's less than what I have come to expect from Coble.

*I must mention I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Arms of Love by Kelly Long

The year is 1777. America is in turmoil. And Amish life is far different than today.

Pennsylvania in the late 18^th century, once called William Penn's Woods, was an assortment of different faiths living together for the first time in American history. Included in this tapestry was a small and struggling population called Amish.

Surrounding this peaceful people were unavoidable threats: both Patriots and the British were pillaging land and goods for the sake of the war, young Amish men were leaving the faith to take up arms and defend freedom. A simple walk in the untamed forests could result in death, if not from bullet or arrow, then from an encounter with a wild animal.

Amid this time of tumult, Adam Wyse is fighting a personal battle. To possibly join the war efforts and leave his faith, which would mean walking away from the only woman he's ever loved: Lena Yoder. But for that love he's made a promise that may keep them apart permanently.

When Adam withdraws from Lena, she's forced to turn to his brother, Isaac, for support. Must Lena deny her heart's desire to save Adam's soul? And will life in this feral and primitive New World be more than this peace-keeping people can withstand?

*******************************************************************************

My Review:
My two favorite genres are historical fiction and Amish fiction, so I was naturally drawn to a book that combines the two.
There were a few things I liked about the book. I enjoyed reading the historical detail of Revolutionary War times, and particularly the Amish view of it. It did seem that the author put a lot of research hours into this one.
However, I found the book to be very stilted. The growth in the characters happens very suddenly, rather than progressing through the book. Changes in the storyline also seemed very abrupt, which made it a little unbelievable.
The thing I most disliked about the book was the false inner-healing teaching. Now, I'm fine with ignoring theological error in fiction. It is, after all, just fiction. However, this book contains a "Bible Study" in the back that is designed to teach, and I was very disappointed in it both theologically, and in that it had nothing to do with the Bible - it was based on the book instead. Healing is not found in our past, but in Christs shed blood on the cross at Calvary.
Because of that, I cannot recommend this book.
I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Book Sneeze.

*For more information on Inner Healing I recommend Healing of Memories or Cleansing of the Conscience?

Review: The Truth About Grace

 

Book Description

“Is the experience of God’s grace in your life a thrilling thing? Just thinking about the fact that God, by His own sovereign plan, decided to be gracious to me is overwhelming. There is nothing greater than receiving grace upon grace.” —John MacArthur

Simple definitions can make grace feel like an obvious―even mundane―concept. Nothing could be further from the truth. Grace is the defining feature of the Christian faith. Once we understand how undeserving we are and how much favor we’ve been given, grace becomes shocking, thrilling, inspiring, and contagious.

Best-selling author and pastor John MacArthur illuminates this profound concept with verse upon verse of Scripture. He also shows that misunderstandings about grace have led to some of the church’s greatest problems, perhaps because grace is her most precious gift.

For decades, MacArthur has encouraged countless Christians to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible and a greater respect for God’s truth. In The Truth About series, he now gathers his landmark teachings about core aspects of the Christian faith in one place. These powerful books are designed to give readers a focused experience that centers on God’s character and how it applies to their daily walk of faith.

My Review:

Grace is a word we, as Christians, use a lot. But sometimes it seems we don't stop to consider what it really means. This book is an excellent resource for learning what grace truly is and for fully understanding this powerful truth. Packed with Scripture quotations, I was encouraged, uplifted, and edified reading this book.
It is short and very easy to read. Theological terms are defined, making it understanding even for new believers who may not know the "Christianeese."
I loved this book and it is one that I'm sure I will read again.
I did receive a complimentary review copy of the book from Book Sneeze.

Beauty for Ashes

Image Source

  Product Description:

She's a beautiful young widow. He's a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.


After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.
Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He's determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.


Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to give beauty for ashes.


My Review:
This was a nice, easy-to-read and relaxing book. The story moves along at a very comfortable pace and there is just enough twists in the plot to keep it interesting.
I found myself very able to relate to Carrie and her struggles. The author has done a great job making the characters very real and easy to identify with. 
There is just enough description of the setting to give you a feel for the area without overloading the reader with boring details.
What I most appreciated about the book is how we see Carrie grow in grace as she learns to trust the Lord through the difficult providences of life, and how she strives to show His love to difficult people.
Overall, this is a very nice piece of Christian historical fiction.


I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this ebook through BookSneeze.

An Amish Wedding

Book Description

Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.


"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman


Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester proposes on Priscilla’s nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. What wasn't planned was all the problems the couple encounters as their big day approaches. A house disaster, a ruined wedding dress, and a sick attendant all make the couple wonder if God's sending them signs to call things off.



"The Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller

Naomi Fisher has had great success at matchmaking her family members and friends. Now with her sister’s wedding right around the corner, Naomi wonders why she’s able to find husbands for her friends and family, but not one for herself.



"The Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long


Rose Bender has recently become engaged to handsome but somber Luke Raber. She agrees out of a sense of duty and a willingness to settle for solid friendship as a basis for the engagement. But as she watches her friend's excitement over her soon-to-be wedding, Rose wonders if there shouldn’t be more to her relationship with Luke. She begins to examine Luke and his life more closely and is amazed when she stumbles upon an exciting, secret side of him that engages her mind and heart.


My Review:

These three novellas fit together almost seamlessly. The three authors did a great job of making three individual stories flow together and compliment each other. The characters each cross into the next story, and yet there really aren't even subtle differences in them, as sometimes happens in a group writing project.

Each one of the stories had an interesting storyline with enough twists in the plot to keep them interesting, though "The Perfect Secret" was my favorite. I do hope there is a sequel to this one!

"The Perfect Plan" was a little bit predictable since some of the story was already alluded to in the previous stories, but it was still interesting. ***Note: the description of above is from the publisher and is how it appears on the back of the book. However, the stories are actually in the reverse order in the book, making "The Perfect Plan" last.

Overall, I think Amish fiction lovers will enjoy this book.

I must mention that a received a complimentary review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their Book Sneeze program.








The Christmas Note

Image Source

Book Description:Publication Date: October 25, 2011

From author of The Christmas Hope series, which has enthralled millions of readers, comes a new inspirational novel about an unlikely friendship between two women, but one that will change each of their lives forever.

Gretchen Daniels has recently moved into an apartment with her two children to be closer to her mother, Miriam. She and her children are building a life together in a new community when a mysterious young woman, Melissa McCreary, moves into the apartment next to them. She has few possessions, little personality, and keeps to herself. One day, a local landlord who is looking for Melissa knocks on Gretchen’s door for assistance. Melissa’s mother has died and in the coming weeks the landlord needs Melissa to empty her mother’s apartment. Gretchen reaches out and offers to help, but the apartment is a gut wrenching shamble of a home. There is little worth saving except for a few photos and a note that is discovered on the crate beside the bed. It is unfinished but in the two scribbled lines, Melissa discovers she has a brother and a sister that she never knew about. Even more shocking, she begins to uncover family secrets that show her who she really is. Can two very different women embark on a journey that explores a long-buried need for forgiveness, hope, and redemption?

*Source

*****

My Review:

This is a powerful Christmas story that I would recommend.

The two neighbors seem like unlikely friends, yet as the story unfolds it is refreshing to see how God brought them together during a holiday season that could otherwise have been very difficult for both of them, and changes each of these ladies through the events in the book.

The characters are very real a relatable. The author did a wonderful job making their feelings and emotions real to the reader.

The plot has a few unexpected twists that really keep the book moving and keep the reader guessing.

The only thing that I thought was missing was a real Gospel message.  A true Christmas story should include the true significance of the season.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book through the publisher, Thomas Nelson.

About the Book:

Sometimes small towns hold the biggest secrets.

Ambitious young attorney Tom Crane is about to become a partner in a high-profile Atlanta law firm. But first he must clear one final matter from his docket-the closing of his deceased father's law practice in his hometown of Bethel, Georgia. Killed in a mysterious boating accident, John Crane didn't appear to leave his son anything except the hassle of wrapping up loose ends.

But instead of celebrating his promotion, Tom finds himself packing up his office, having suddenly been "consolidated." To add insult to injury, that same night his girlfriend breaks up with him . . . by letter.

Returning to Bethel with no sense of his future and no faith to fall back on, Tom just wants to settle his father's final affairs and get back to Atlanta. But then he runs into an unexpected roadblock-two million dollars of unclaimed money stashed in a secret bank account. And evidence that his father's death may not have been accidental. Worse still, a trail of data suggests his father played a role in an international fraud operation.

Tom follows the money into a tangled web of lies, theft, and betrayal. Along the way, he meets a woman who is as beguiling as she is beautiful. And her interest in the outcome of the case is just as high as his. She challenges Tom's assumptions . . . and his faith. Now he has to decide who he can trust-and how far a father's love can reach.
*source: www.amazon.com

My Review:

This intense, fast-paced page turner is a piece of fiction reminiscent of John Grisham. It is full of suspense from the very beginning, and every time you think you have it figured out, a new mystery unfolds. The characters are endearing and the storyline complex. What I most appreciate about this book, however, is that it truly is Christian fiction. Its not just an occasional mention of God, or a Scripture verse here or there, but the story includes Tom Crane’s conversion, repentance, and growth detailed thoroughly throughout.

I strongly recommend this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers through their Book Sneeze program. That in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller

Book Description

Emma has put everyone else first in her life. Now at nearly 25, has she missed her chance at marriage?

Emma was Adam's first love but circumstances made them both choose different paths in life. Emma's heart breaks all over again when Adam returns to the Amish community of Middlefield, Ohio, years later.

For the past ten years, Emma has been a care-giver. First for her mother who unsuccessfully battled breast cancer, and now for her grandmother who gets more frail with each passing year. Emma has always put the needs of others above her own. With more time on her hands, she determines to focus on herself and her dream of opening a rescue shelter for stray animals in the community.

With Adam's return come feelings Emma's long buried. They're older and life hasn't turned out the way they thought it would. Adam's feelings for Emma are stronger than ever, but will he be able to convince her to put the past aside and give their love a chance?

******

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author has a talent for making you feel what the characters feel and drawing the reader into the story. Emma was so real to me; there were times when I could have cried with her. I could also relate to the worries of her sister, and her tendency to try to fix things first and go to God later.

The story moves along quickly, with the elements of suspense, subtle romance, and growing faith carefully woven throughout.

The setting really seemed “authentic Amish” – from the descriptions of their farms to their day-to-day life, it seemed very much in keeping with what I know of Amish life

What really made this book though, were the characters. A long-lost love, a wise grandmother, a somewhat overbearing sister, and the mysterious cousin from out of town – all very well developed and intriguing. These characters seemed so real. They had to wrestle with issues of faith, family conflict, and grief just like the rest of us. The issues dealt with in this book are ones that most of us face at one time in our lives, not just the Amish.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone was loves Amish fiction.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary copy of this, in ebook format, for review purposes. That in no way influenced my opinion of it.

 



No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe

The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!



When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real-or are they?




*Source: Amazon.com

 This a great mystery novel for young Christian readers, though I enjoyed it as an adult too.

Griffin Sharpe is an incredibly observant, intelligent, and intuitive boy. He notices everything. His uncle is a crabby yet eccentric detective/inventor who wants nothing to do with a boy - yet Griffins gentle nature, faith, and compassionate heart quickly win him over. They end up making a great detective team.

The characters in this book are all very unique and interesting - quirky even. The plot moves along quickly and has a lot of detail, yet should still be very easy for younger readers to follow. By younger readers, I would say 8-13 years old or so.



What I most appreciated about this book as a piece of junior literature was the Christian character qualities that come through in Griffin Sharpe. Griffins father had been a minister and Griffin hope to lead his Uncle to the Lord. Though there wasn't as much about faith as I had expected, I still would recommend it. It was so refreshing to read a junior mystery with Christian character qualities reflected so often in the main character.

One other interesting fact is that it is based on the true story of Griffin Sharpe.

Young can visit the authors blog for more information on the real Griffin Sharpe. 

Seek Me with all your Heart

By Beth Wiseman

For Emily Detweiler, a move to Colorado represents a new life away from the painful memories of a tragedy that deeply affected her life and her faith. While settling into a new Amish community she meets David Stolzfus, a kind but mysteriously aloof young man with secrets of his own. A growing friendship with a crabby old widow brings these two together, but both fear what will happen if their secrets are revealed.


This is a story of redemption and restoration. The author deals with some very difficult issues in this book, and handles them well. The characters are endearing and well-developed.

While overall I enjoyed the book, it wasn’t without some disappointments. Though it is Amish fiction, there was very little detail about their Amish heritage. It really almost didn't seem Amish at all. And, as is the case with most Christian fiction today, it is full of personal messages from God – outside of Scripture.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their BookSneeze program, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Pujols: More than the Game Book Review

By Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth

“At the end of the day as long as I glorify Him and those 45,000 people know who I represent out there every time I step out on the field, that’s what it’s about. It’s about representing God.” –Albert Pujols (p. II)

I think this quote very adequately describes both Albert Pujols and this book. It’s about glorifying God. From humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic to his meteoric rise to fame in the US, outstanding athletic ability, strong work ethic, and faith God make him one of the most easily likable celebrities of our day. This book covers it all.

I really love a biography that doesn’t just outline a person’s accomplishments but really digs deeper, revealing the person behind the image. This book delivers. Pujols is more than just an outstanding ball player – he is a man of integrity. While the authors cover the details of his rise to fame in baseball, they also cover his conversion, his devotion to his wife and kids, and what drives him most – his faith.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone, but particularly to people with teenage boys. I think this is the type of book that may help young adults see how to be a man of integrity in whatever they do, and that serving the Lord is the most important aspect of their life.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program. That in no way influenced my opinion of it.





The Sacred Meal

I found this book to be very disturbing. Author Nora Gallagher had been asked to write a book about communion – the sacred meal- as a part of Thomas Nelson’s Ancient Practices Series. I was eager to read this book as Communion is such an important part of our life as believers, and it’s so easy to fall into the routine of taking communion, while neglecting to reflect on the significance of it.

I expected this book to look to the Scriptures to see what God has said about the practice that He ordained. Sadly, this book is page after page of the author’s thoughts and feelings, both about communion and a myriad of unrelated things that really have no bearing on communion whatsoever. There is very little Scripture used, and when it is its misapplied or misrepresented.

Here is one example is found on pages 23-24. Gallagher is discussing the last supper and Christ’s words to the disciples, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

She says,

“Instead, I think Jesus wanted his disciples and everyone who came after him to remember what they had together. What they made together. What it meant to be together. How the things he wanted them to do could not be done alone. How the things he did could not have been done without them.”(page 24 - emphasis hers)

Clearly, there are many things wrong with just this one paragraph. For one, there is NOTHING that He could not have done without them. He was God incarnate. They were lowly men. But my point in using this paragraph as an example is to show how the author completely ignores what Scripture says about Communion. The Scriptures tell us what we are to be remembering, His death until He comes (1Cor 11:23-26). Not what they did together.

It really doesn’t matter what we think or how we feel about communion; all that really matters is what God has said about it in His Word.

I received a complimentary review copy of the book from Thomas Nelson, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Isaac Newton by Mitch Stokes

This book is part of Thomas Nelson's Christian Encounters series, a group of biographies designed to bring to light the Christian faith of historical figures.

I normally love biographies and have really appreciated the Christian Encounters series. I love getting new insight into the lives of famous people, particularly their faith. However, I was very disappointed in this one. While I would normally read a book like this in a day or two, this one took me months. It is very dry and slow going.

There is very little new insight into the life of Isaac Newton. It is predominantly about his scientific and mathematical discoveries that we all learned in high school. Only a very small portion of the book covers his personal life and there is even less about his faith. The author brings up the topic of Newton's anti-trinitarian views, but does not give it any thorough analysis. It seems like much of the book is just rehashing his correspondence with the Royal Society and other scientists of his day.

Overall, this book was disappointing, though it might be valuable for homeschool purposes.

I must mention that I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God

By Charles F Stanley

I have really struggled writing this review. I admit I have very mixed feeling on this book. At first, I really did not like it. It took me a long time to read the book, not because it was difficult to read but because it just didn’t grab me. I really didn’t find myself interested in it at all. I found his writing style to be very basic, almost like it was intended for a junior high Sunday School class. He seems to avoid theological terms at all cost and often over-illustrates his point. One illustration is helpful, more than that is simply annoying.


However, once I finished the book I found it kept coming back to me. I have really been looking at the daily events in my life and thinking “What would God have me do here? How can I use this to glorify God? Am I reaching my full potential in this area of my life?”

After much thought and prayer I’ve realized that if you like self help/motivational books you will probably love this one. I’m someone who prefers to approach these things through biblical exegesis and the teaching of sound doctrine, so to me this book read like a 1980’s self-help book. However, there is value in that.

Bottom line: if you like self help, you will love this book. If you are looking for something deeper, you might find it hard to read, but there is a valuable message for all Christians in this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book, however that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

The White Horse King

The White Horse King is a brilliantly written biography of King Alfred. It is clear this book was thoroughly researched as Benjamin Merkle has brought the events to life in rich detail.

It written in such a way that it can be used for scholarly purposes yet is fairly easy to read. I don't generally read biographies, but this one seemed interesting. I was not disappointed; I could hardly put it down.


Prior to reading this biography I knew little of Alfred the Great, and I believe that is the case for many people. However, much can be learned about Western Civilization and the importance of having a Biblical worldview through studying his life.


As the fifth in line to throne, it would have seemed unlikely that Alfred would ever be king. As a small child his father sent him to Rome, and that proved to be a defining time in Alfred's life.


This was a period of time when the Viking raiders were pillaging most the English coastlands and taking over villages. Farms, churches, and monasteries were being burned and destroyed and many were slaughtered at the hands of the Vikings.


As Alfred ascended to the throne he faced the Viking aggressions with a poorly trained volunteer military. He had already lost much of his family to the Vikings, including his brother who had been sacrificed to the Viking gods.


Merkle has done a fabulous job of describing the tactics of both the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons in great detail. Much time is spent describing how Alfred was eventually able to establish a few periods of peace.


After pushing back the Vikings and taking captive one of there kings - to whom he showed incredible mercy, Alfred turned his attentions to building a better military and fortifying the towns.


This was at time when many years had passed since the Romans had left, and illiteracy was rampant and the people were falling into paganism. King Alfred realized that his people were being crippled by a lack of knowledge of God.


All of the Christian works of the day were in Latin, and few people outside of church scholars and monks could read it. In addition, most of the Anglo-Saxon people could not read or write their own language. Alfred set up public school system to teach the peasant children to read, and required all of the noblemen to learn to read. He hired monks and other scholars to translate parts of the Bible to the Anglo-Saxon language, knowing that his people needed the word of God in their own language - this was almost 700 years BEFORE the Reformation.


Seeing as America is falling into paganism now, not from illiteracy but from Biblical illiteracy I found it very refreshing to hear that so many years ago one very wise king saw the same problem. People need to know the Bible to avoid paganism, yet so many churches today have abandoned Bible teaching and replaced it with self-help or the social gospel.


I would highly recommend this book for home school classes or for anyone who wanting to understand the importance of having a Biblical worldview.






While I did receive a courtesy review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers, that in no way influenced my review.