Book Reviews
A collection of the reviews published in Ichthus. Other reviews will be welcome and must include Title, Publisher, ISBN and price. The review should be kept to about 200 words. In this list the most recent revues are at the top and the full review is available by following the link.
 Speaking in Church By Burnham Hodgson Reviewed by Ros Peedle | This little book provides a usefully practical guide to many aspects of speaking publicly in an interesting and audible manner. |
The Da Vinci Code and the Secrets of the Temple By Robin Griffiths-Jones Reviewed by Ros Peedle | This little book, of only 120 pages, is written by the 'Master' of the Temple Church, who clearly respects those who come to the Temple seeking answers to the questions the book raises in their minds and addresses them by trying to make clear the difference between the facts and the fiction. |
Cries of the heart By Paul Sheppey Reviewed by Diane Coleman | Subtitled "A daily companion for your journey through grief", this is a small book of mediations and prayers, each day having a short scripture reading, a thought and a prayer, which falls into three parts. |
Worship in Ancient Israel: An Essential Guide By Walter Brueggemann Reviewed by Terry J Wright | The subtitle of this stimulating book is potentially misleading: it is an essential guide, but by no means is it simply an introduction to worship as depicted in the Old Testament. |
Open with God< By Christine Odell Reviewed by Ros Peedle | Open with God is a new collection of prayers for a wide range of occasions throughout the year. This anthology is written in a straightforward, modern style, which goes straight to the heart of the human experience. |
Life from a new angle: a journey of faith By Allan J Bowers Reviewed by Diane Coleman | Here is a story of one man's life, from childhood in pre-war London, through wartime service in the RAF to a long and fruitful life in the ordained ministry of the Methodist Church |
Beginning Over Again by Clare Amos Reviewed by Alan Newcombe | This book offers a Lenten course of five sessions for small groups exploring the first book of the Bible in relation to the gospels and Christian discipleship in the 2lst century. |
Come as You Are by Brenda Woods Reviewed by Margaret Ventom | A ten session course exploring Christian Discipleship and Membership in the Methodist Church for anyone who wants to learn more about their faith whether a Christian of longstanding, new Christian or enquirer. |
A to Z of Christmas by Arnold Kellett | A bright new book will be launched at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Harrogate in October when the author, Arnold Kellett, will give a talk on the origins and evolution of Christmas. |
Colour me Spiritual by Ann Bird Reviewed by Ros Peedle | In her Preface to this fascinating and colourful book, the Author, Ann Bird says, "The world is awash with colour and alive with the possibility for us to let the colours leave their mark on our own hearts and spirits so that our lives, too, reflect colour and light to those around us". |
What a Performance by Reginald Frary Reviewed by Maureen Newcombe | Reginald Frary has a wonderful gift of making an ordinary happening into an exciting or unbelievable adventure! His use of words is a wonderful gift. There are lessons to be learned from some of the 'goings on'! |
Silent Strength by Pat Marsh Reviewed by Peter Relf | The poetry that Pat Marsh offers us in her new book 'Silent Strength' has its own distinctive voice which invites reflection and a quietening of the spirit. |
| Searching for Peace:
A Christian Companion Edited by Susan Hibbins Reviewed by Carys Woodley | It would make an excellent gift especially for non-Christian friends who too are searching for peace and answers to life's problems. Not only is it a book for the inner stillness of peace but also it looks deeper at the problems of injustice and peace. |
| Exploring growing with God by Colin Smith Reviewed by Peter Relf | Think of a slim A5 book of guided devotions for a house group that you might choose for Lent and you will have a fair picture of what this book is. Group questions are offered as discussion starters. |
| The Passion by Geza Vermes Reviewed by Diane Coleman | In this book Geza Vermes takes a close look at the Passion of Jesus using historical, literary and comparative analytical techniques and comes up with a reasoned coherent account of the events surrounding the crucifixion. As he compared the doctrinal statements of the four evangelists with contemporary historical sources, Roman provincial government and Jewish legal systems, I found myself drawn closer to those world-changing events of Holy Week. |
| The Book of Simeon by David Midgley Reviewed by Gill Morton | David Midgley, is a Local Preacher who has had to give up Preaching due to suffering from motor neurone disease and he tells the gospel story in a down to earth and up to date fashion that is most compelling. It is simple and yet profound. Questions are asked and answers are not always given. |
| If you love something,
let it go... Reflections for Ash Wednesday to Pentecost by Charlotte Methhuen Reviewed by Mollie Brookes | The book has reinforced some thoughts and made me think more deeply about love and what it means to let go of something or somebody you love. True love for someone is, surely, to allow them freedom? Christ's way for his followers is to speak up and live up to his teaching. |
| The Gift of a Cross by Pat Marsh Reviewed by Howard Fitall | The presentation is in six sections, entitled "Preparation" the triumphant entry to the upper room; "Submission" Gethsemane to Golgotha; "Sacrifice" the crucifixion; "Surrender" the last few hours; "Resurrection" the empty tomb and the risen Lord; "Implications" postscript for today. There is a full biblical index. This short, concentrated, economic and excellent book is a must for all Christians and especially those who will lead worship in any way during Lent and indeed at other times. |
| Cloud of Witnesses by Reviewed by Gill Morton | The 2005 Christian Companion is a book about a considerable number of saints, saints of long ago and saints of not so long ago. A different writer has written about his or her favourite saint and told the reader a little about that particular saint and the way that that saint had lived. |
| <The Bible Makes Sense by Walter Brueggmann Reviewed by Gill Morton | The reader is told that the Bible is about a covenanting God who is with his people and for his people calling them to leave their comfort zones and go into the unknown on a pilgrimage. At the end of each chapter there are reflection and discussion points and scripture passages for meditation with a comment on them. |
| Befriending the stranger by Jean Vanier Reviewed by Diane Coleman | This is a transcript of a preached retreat for people of the L'Arche community. This book takes the reader into new areas of self-awareness in the context of the gospel, in order that they may be more sensitive to those encountered in life's journey. |
| Like A Child by Tony and Frances Miles Reviewed by Rosemary Young | This is a 'dipping into' book and is an excellent resource for preachers and teachers, or could even be used as a 'Quiet time' book, for daily devotions at home or for use in a fellowship group. The author's preface begins:- "The aim of this book is to make you smile and inspire your thinking." It's the everyday sayings of children that can inspire us... |
| The Short Day Dying by Peter Hobbs Reviewed by Howard Fitall | Peter Hobbs has fashioned a strange and compelling evocation of late Victorian Cornish Methodism. For a first novel this is an extraordinarily powerful piece. We are drawn into the deeply personal struggles of Charles Wentworth, an apprentice blacksmith at the advanced age of 27. We are returned to a distant rural scene whose beauty and harshness, hope and despair are portrayed in simple, strong, picturesque language. |
| Discovering Cathedrals by David Pepin Reviewed by Howard Fitall | This is an outstanding gem in the wellknown Shire Book series. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout with excellent colour photographs. All the English and Welsh cathedrals have a sketch of their ground plan indicating items of special interest. |
| The Treasures of Darkness by Barbara Mosse Reviewed by John T Walker MBE | The cover on this book is dark but its contents are real gems. The book covers the seasons of Advent and Lent and in it, the author has used the treasures of darkness in a positive way where we ordinary folks might be inclined to regard them as negative items. |
| Life lived to the full by Bill Parkinson Reviewed by Ros Peedle | The book is a combination of memoirs or autobiography, social history of Lancashire, Christian evangelism and experience, the development of Methodism at Cliff College. It spans Bill's life and experience of over 80 years as family man, friend, farmer, evangelist, Revivalist and preacher. |
| Mission in the Gospels by R. Geoffrey Harris Reviewed by Howard Fitall | Harris' approach, in this short but concentrated work, is a significant new understanding of the core of the New Testament. As one might expect, there are copious referenced notes, an extensive bibliography and excellent indices of scripture quotes and general subjects. |
| Whispers of Love by Pat Marsh Reviewed by Doreen Shuttleworth | A variety of meditations, some about God and some are prayers directed to God and there are also a few responses from God. There are line drawings with some of the poems which draw out the essence of the thoughts. This would make a pleasing gift as thanks for hospitality after a brief visit. |
| An Apothecary's Tale By H.S. Grainger 2003 Pub. Noble Books £15 Reviewed by H.R.Fitall | This is the story of a boy from very humble background a poor family in a mining village. Who, taking advantage of his academic abilities, through hard work and Christian character, rose to international position in his chosen profession pharmacy. |