BOOK REVIEW: This book just couldn’t hold me …

After referring to Owen Strachan’s book, “Risky Gospel”, as “One of 2013’s best books …” (see my review of that book here, I looked forward to reading his latest book, “The Colson Way” (published by Nelson Books).

Unfornaturely, the book just couldn’t hold my attention. After forcing myself to continue reading, about three-quarters of the way through the book I finally did something I rarely do … stopped reading.

I’m going to give Strachan the benefit of some doubt in that I may have expected too much of this book, based on my praise of his previous book and my own knowledge of, and respect for, Charles Colson.

“The Colson Way” is a biography, of sorts, about the life of the late Charles Colson who came to prominence because of his service to President Richard Nixon and the claims of his being involved in the Watergate scandal. Colson would come to Christ during that ordeal, but he would still go to prison. Once released from life in a cell, Colson went on to build an international Christian ministry to prisoners, known as Prison Fellowship.

The mix of Colson’s past with the great ministry he founded would make him into a Christian “celebrity.” I’ve read some of his books, listened to some of his broadcasts, and watched some of his interviews, and developed a personal respect for him as a Christian leader. Because of that, I may have expected a deeper, more detailed, and more intriguing biography about the life of the man. This book isn’t that. It’s more the writer’s intrigue with what he calls the “Colson Way,” although whatever the “Colson Way” is isn’t clearly defined (or not clear enough). My understanding is the “Colson Way” speaks of Colson’s example and success as a Christian in the “public square.” At least, the writer seems to be inspired by how Colson succeeded as a Christian in the public square, and tries to hold this example up to his readers.

I just didn’t find it as compelling, as captivating, as inspiring as Strachan did. That could be just a personal difference, but the writer failed to be so compelling with his writing in this book as to move me with how Colson had moved him.

For that reason, he finally lost me enough that I wasn’t going to continue to read a book that didn’t seem to have much to offer ME, either about the topic or about the man, Colson.

Other readers with different experiences both with the “public square” and their knowledge of Colson might get more out of this book than I was able to. But because the writer lost me, I can’t recommend this book.

Scotty

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”