For the lives of those we give the title Saint, and other historically noteworthy Christian men and women, written by their contemporaries, their own writings and stories about them painstakingly put together by modern day writers.

Archive - Book Titles reviewed - B

A Blueprint for Revival

- Lessons from the life of John Wesley

by Mark Williamson

This is a new biography of John Wesley, subtitled Lessons from the life of John Wesley. He claims that Wesley changed the face of a nation and had a strong impact on the life of the Church. He describes Wesley's upbringing in a family of dissenters, his life at boarding school, his lecturing at Oxford, his founding of Methodism and his missionary work among the native Americans of Georgia. He was the innovator of open-air preaching and travelled extensively throughout Great Britain, developing Methodism into a national movement. He had turbulent relationships with two women who were subservient to his overpowering zeal to travel and preach. He died at the age of eighty-eight, having spent fifty-three years travelling to preach and teach the word of God. If only one book on John Wesley will be read, this is the one. In it Williamson identifies and expatiates on the key themes of the life of this remarkable man together with extensive excerpts from his letters and journals.

Review by John Irvine (21/11/12)

Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher: Authentic Media
Published: August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-850-78962-8

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Basil Hume

- The Monk Cardinal

by Anthony Howard

This is the story of a truly Christian man, revered by many from all denominations. His personality attracted respect from all who met him, and Anthony Howard enables us to get to know him, and understand him better. What more can I say? His life was an inspiration to us all, not least because of his humanity and humility. I was sorry when I came to the end.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (21/12/05)

Paperback
Price: £20.00
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Published: 05 May 2005
ISBN: 0-755-31247-3

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Basil Hume - Ten Years On

by William Charles

William Charles is a nephew of Basil Hume and in the opening words of his introduction writes ‘It is perhaps best to see it (this book) as a family memoir of my uncle, a tribute to a much loved member of the family ten years after he died.’ Many others of every description will understand that sentiment and join with the family in enjoying this book as a memoir of, and a tribute to, a man loved and honoured by so many of us. Here are family stories, and contributions from a variety of people, each writing about their personal experiences of Basil Hume in a particular stage of his life. The result is a fuller picture of this multi-faceted man than I have read before. A glance at the chapter headings gives an idea of the many things he was involved with, but the overwhelming picture is of a man with ‘warmth, humanity, charm and humour and , above all, deep spirituality.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (07/09/09)

Paperback
Price: £12.99
Publisher: Burns & Oates imprint of Continuum
Published: 15 June 2009
ISBN: 978-0-826-43941-3

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Becoming a Spiritual Leader

- A Life of the Apostle Peter

by Patrick Whitworth

Following on from his book Becoming Fully Human Patrick Whitworth introduces us to the Apostle Peter and the difficult path he had to follow as the churches first leader – thrust into leadership by the mission of Christ to “feed my lambs”. As a leader and minister it is unlikely that Peter would have got through a selection conference for any of the established churches – yet he led that church to what it could be today. Peter was called – was chosen – was selected to grow in the faith into which he was commissioned with the other disciples. This book takes us through that long and sometimes painful affirmation, the difficulties and disasters, the challenges and the penance – the end result being an example of how we should all as ministers, whether ordained or baptised, live our Christian lives. Scripturally based and a very interesting read.

Review by Ian Gibson (21/05/05)

Paperback
Price: £8.99
Publisher: Terra Nova Publications from Anchor Recordings
Published: April 2005
ISBN: 1-901-94934-6

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Becoming a Spiritual Leader

by Patrick Whitworth

St Peter has always been associated as being the early church leader alongside the apostle Paul, though very different to each other. Peter was the simple fisherman and Paul the educated theologian. Peter the man who doubted and grew stronger by his doubt and agonies and Paul as the one struck by God in revelation. It is the weakness of Peter that gives strength to his leadership of the church. Peter struggled throughout his earthly life with all the impact that his calling had on him, that he was chosen above all others. But he was the one that sought guidance from the Lord, he the one that asked the questions we all need answering about vocation and forgiveness and teaching. This book leads us on that journey that Peter took; to the end that he became an example for us all as a great spiritual leader. His whole life explained in terms that allow us to relate and understand the path that he took.

Review by Ian Gibson (07/11/05)

Paperback
Price: £8.99
Publisher: Terra Nova Publications from Anchor Recordings
Published: 05 May 2005
ISBN: 1-901-94934-6

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Benedict XVI

- Commander of the Faith - New and Updated Edition

by Rupert Shortt

'My aim', says the author, 'is to trace some of the main strands in the Pope's life and thought, and thus to help cast light on a mystery. The velvet glove and the iron fist are both authentic' (p. 1). In particular, he is concerned with the perceived shift from Benedict's 'liberal instincts' of his earlier years, evidenced during the Second Vatican Council, to the 'ardent conservatism' of his latter years as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Such political terminology can be misleading, and this is acknowledged, as we are led through Pope Benedict's life. We learn something of what has influenced him, and how the Church might develop during his Pontificate. Rupert Shortt is critically fair to his subject, and one feels that he wants to find more good to say than is available from his sources, which include the Pope's writings, various causes celebres and people with whom he has come into contact. He is not polemical, and his style is well suited to 'the general reader', his target audience. There are notes and a decent index.

Review by J.Nicholas Latham (04/02/06)

Paperback
Price: £8.99
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Published: 2006
ISBN: 0-340-90905-6

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Benedict XVI and the Search for Truth by Robert Tilley
ISBN: 978-0-852-44163-3 Price: £12.99	Published: 11 November 2008
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Bernadette of Lourdes - Her Life ,Death and Visions by Therese Taylor
ISBN: 0-860-12338-3 Price: £14.99	Published: April 2003
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Billy Bray In His Own Words by Chris Wright
ISBN: 1-897-91373-7 Price: £8.99	Published: 19 November 2004
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Billy Graham Story - Revised and updated edition of All the Nations by John Pollock
ISBN: 0-310-25126-5 Price: £7.99	Published: Spring 2003
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Billy Graham:Ambassador of Salvation - Programme One in Great Souls Series Hosted by David Aikman
ISBN: 9-990-00021-2 Price: £12.72 (excl VAT)	Published: January 2009
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Blessed John Henry Newman by Michael Rear
ISBN: 978-0-854-39789-1 Price: £4.95	Published: 2010
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Blessed John Henry Newman - A Richly Illustrated Portrait Edited by Kathleen Dietz FSO & Mary-Birgit Dechant FSO
ISBN: 978-0-852-44724-6 Price: £12.99	Published: 2010
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Blessed John Paul II Edited by Renzo Sala
ISBN: 978-0-854-39814-0 Price: £3.95	Published: 2011
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The Beauty of Holiness - The Caroline Divines and Their Writings by Benjamin Guyer
ISBN: 978-1-848-25098-7 Price: £19.99	Published: 29 February 2012
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The Breeze of the Centuries - Introducing Great Theologians From the Apostolic Fathers to Aquinas by Michael Reeves
ISBN: 978-1-844-74415-2 Price: £8.99	Published: January 2010
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