|
|
Books: reviews
William Wilberforce: A biography
A Short History of Christianity
- German reviews
Paul and his World
My Ministry Manual by Rev Gerald Ambulance
William Wilberforce
'Stephen Tomkins's William Wilberforce: A biography is succinct and economical, but conveys a powerful impression of it's subject.'
- Peter Ackroyd, The Times
A Short History of Christianity
'Learned, lively journalist Tomkins, who could not write a dull sentence if he tried, here capsules the global Christian story into a brilliant popular page turner that keeps you reading for hours at a time. It is all brisk and clear, all well digested, all thoroughly serious, and all great fun. In its junior-Johnson class I know of nothing half so good.'
- J I Packer
'Steve Tomkins' A Short History of Christianity is the sort of book I wish I'd read fifty years ago. It provides a context for so much of western history over the last two millennia. It explains a lot.'
- Terry Jones
'A good attempt at making a very complicated subject simple ... very even-handed ... excellent value for money.'
- Ciao!
'Despite some biting sarcasms and shallowness of theological discernment, Stephen Tomkins’s A Short History of Christianity is a page-turner'
- Reformation 21
'A wild ride full of bumps, sudden drops, sharp curves, and a colorful cast of characters ... Well written and very worthwhile.'
- Aspiring Retail
'A recommended read for all.'
- Christian Marketplace
John Wesley: A biography
‘The tricentenary of the birth of Methodism's founder could bring no finer introduction to his life and work … Tomkins presents a keenly engaging portrait of a great man … A fascinating figure, fascinatingly limned.’
- Booklist ('Top Ten Religious Books 2003')
‘Very readable... The author, a skilful summariser and presenter with an eye for the interesting and the significant, offers useful insights, wise comments, and well drawn thumbnail sketches.’
- Church Times
‘Riveting book.’
- First Things: The journal of religion, culture and public life.
‘A rich and engaging account of Wesley's colorful life…Tomkins's prose flows gracefully.’
- ChristianBook.com
‘A rounded and well-documented account of a complex personality.’
- Methodist Recorder
‘Tomkins colourfully retells the story of his dramatic life, bringing this great man of faith alive for a new generation.’
- Publishing News
‘Fairly short and very readable.’
- thegoodbookstall.org
‘A very comprehensive story … well written.’
- Church of Ireland Gazette
‘Sufficiently different from the vast array of Wesley biographies to warrant it a place on the bookshelf.’
‘If … “the many errors [in Hattersley’s biography] factual, theological and interpretative” left you constantly irritated, then let me introduce you to Stephen Tomkins!’
- Headway.org
‘As a brief but clear-eyed view of an all-too-human but pivotal religious figure, John Wesley: A Biography does nicely.’
- The Star-Telegram, Dallas
‘Wesley comes to life in the most vivid way … a great read!’
- fish.co.uk
‘One of the most accessible biographies.’
- Christian Marketplace
'An extremely well written, clear and accessible book... Tomkins is scrupulously honest and objective.'
- Midsomer Norton Methodist Church Centre
‘Excellent.’
- The Source
‘Warm and persuasive … Were anyone to ask me to recommend just one Wesley book to take on holiday, I’d probably select this one. Stephen Tomkins has certainly done his subject justice.’
Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society
- German Wesley reviews (plus unreliable translations)
"John Wesley wird in diesem Buch schonungslos offen und nicht ohne Augenzwinkern dargestellt. Tomkins ist es gelungen, ein ausgewogenes Lebensbild dieses bemerkenswerten Mannes zu beschreiben, ohne ihn dabei zu glorifizieren.… Auch wenn Sie bereits eine Biographie über John Wesley gelesen haben, wird Sie Tomkins bereichern. Hervorragend recherchiert, anschaulich und leicht zu lesen."
- Buch.de
This book presents John Wesley unwaveringly, honestly and not without irony. Tomkins offers a balanced portrait of this remarkable man without glorifying him.... Even if you already read a biography of John Wesley, Tomkins will enrich you. An outstanding investigation, colourful and easy to read.
Gut und gern zulesen, spannend und dabei tiefgr¸ndig, humorvoll mit einem leichten Anklang ins Ironische, lebendig und historisch fundiert. Kurz gesagt: kaufen, lesen, noch mal lesen und nachdenken.
- Amazon.de
A joy to read, exciting and profound, humorous and ironic, lively and historically sound. In a nutshell: buy, read, read again and think.
Mit diesem Buch liegt meines Wissens zum ersten Mal eine Biographie über John Wesley in deutscher Sprache vor, die bei aller Achtung seines Eifers, seiner Hingabe und seiner außerordentlichen Disziplin und Schaffenskraft auch die Schwächen seiner Persönlichkeit und die teilweise groben Irrtümer seiner Theologie nicht verschweigt....
Sehr interessant ist die Schilderung der Phänomene, die teilweise Wesleys Predigt begleiteten und starke Ähnlichkeiten mit dem „Toronto-Segen“ haben.
- Wolfgang Bühne
The first biography of John Wesley in German that does not gloss over the weaknesses of his personality and the mistakes of his theology, while also paying attention to his fervour, commitment and extraordinary discipline and stamina....
The description of the [charismatic] phenomena that sometimes accompanied his Wesley’s preaching is fascinating.
Paul and His World
‘An excellent introduction to St Paul's life, ministry, theology and writings, to the cultures, life styles and expectations in which he lived and to the establishment and expansion of Christianity.’
- thegoodbookstall.org
‘Cannot be recommended as safe.’
- Evangelicals Now
'a thoroughly enjoyable read... The text is often light-hearted, with some refreshing tongue-in-cheek quips... I believe this is a pocket-battleship' [a what?]
- Baptist Times
‘I can very much recommend this new book in the excellent ‘Lion Histories Series’. It presents some of the latest scholarly views on St. Paul in an attractive and accessible form.’
- Gloucester Cathedral Newsletter
My Ministry Manual
‘Rev. Gerald, the most abusive, egotistical and badly-dressed vicar to not actually exist, manages to insult members of just about every Christian denomination going… Tomkins’ satirical aim is deadly.’
TheBookPlace.com
'Serious funny stuff... a deliciously vicious send up.'
Meic Pearse
‘Invaluable!’
Methodist Recorder
