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The General: William Booth Volume
1 - The Evangelist
Author David Malcolm Bennett
Publisher Xulon Press
ISBN No 1 591608 48 1
This is a very readable book, and is obviously well
researched. Each chapter is followed by several pages of
footnotes for that chapter. I have only one criticism and
that is that this book falls into the trap of many other
biographies of William Booth, in that it tends not to
present the real man, but an idealistic view of him. It is
though a book well worth reading, at times I felt as
though I was reading about William Booth for the first
time. When Volume 2 is published in 2004, it will serve as
a useful complement to Hattersley's Blood and Fire. I
would say that if you are going to buy a new biography of
William Booth, then buy this one.
Women in God's Army
Author Andrew Mark Eason
Publisher Wilfred Laurier University Press
ISBN No 0 88920 418 7
This book marks a new departure in the study of Salvation
Army History, as it is the first comprehensive study of
the role of women in the early days of the movement.
Whilst the early Salvation Army professed commitment to
sexual equality in leadership and ministry and made
bold pronouncements on the subject these were not matched
in reality. This is a difficult book to read, but it
does repay the effort and I am sure that this book will
become the seminal work in this area of Salvation Army
Historical Studies. I personally found this book
enlightening.
Sanctified Sanity
Author R. David Rightmire
Publisher Crest Books. Salvation Army National
Headquarters U.S.A
ISBN No 0 9704870 9 6
The Life and Teaching of Samuel Logan Brengle is the
book's subtitle. This book is divided into two parts. Part
One is a biographical sketch of Brengle's life and Part
Two deals with his holiness teaching within The Salvation
Army and within the broader Holiness Movement of the
nineteenth century. In a sense this could have easily have
been two books, as a definitive biography is long overdue,
and the sketch of Brengle's holiness teaching and the
broader Holiness Movement would make an interesting
companion volume. The book is easy to read and would make
an ideal Christmas present. The title is apt as the book
clearly makes the point that Brengle lived and taught a
life of Sanctified Sanity.
The Letters of William and Catherine Booth
David Bennett
Publisher Camp Hill Publications, Brisbane
ISBN No 0 9577937 1 5
This is a truly monumental work, and is a must for any
serious student of Salvation Army history. It is not
a book to read through, but one to be consulted, to look
into from time to time. The letters are extracted
from the Booth papers in the British Library and other
sources, and without any doubt this book will serve as the
standard work of reference for a very long time. This book
is expensive in excess of £50-00p, but the binding is of
excellent quality, and is certainly good value for money.
I obtained my copy from Salvation Army Supplies in
Melbourne, who provided an excellent service. Tell your
family that this is what you would like for Christmas.
William and Catherine (The Life and Legacy of the Booths,
Founders of
The Salvation Army)
Author Trevor Yaxley with Catherine Vanderwal
Publisher Bethany House
ISBN No 0 7642 2760 2
I must confess that when I first heard about this book, my
reaction was 'O! Not another one'. However the book is
well written, and moves at a cracking pace, mainly due to
being very short on real detail and also perpetuating some
of the 'mythology' surrounding the lives of William and
Catherine Booth. It is very much like 'The General Next To
God' n its approach, and the writers are clearly in love
with their subject. It is worth reading, and will probably
serve as a good introduction to the lives of William and
Catherine Booth.
Unfurling The Flag
This fascinating booklet of almost fifty pages has been
produced by Chelmsford Corps as a fundraiser for the
extension of their building. It is a collection of reports
of The Salvation Army's first year in Chelmsford 1886 -
1887 as seen through the reports of the Essex Chronicle.
It details the Army's opening and reception in the town,
and chronicles the activities and developments of the
first year; along with letters and reports criticizing the
Army. A good look at how others saw us. Priced at £5-00p
including postage, this is a must for any serious student
of Salvation Army history
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