Customer Reviews

101 Hymn Stories

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This 288-page book summarizes the most favorite 101 hymns used by main-line Protestant churches. Although it was written in 1982, it is selling well (my copy is the 11th printing in 1990) and its content will continue to be current. At a bargain price of about $10, Osbeck's book represents exceptionally good value.

The author appears quite well-qualified with a Master's degree in music from the University of Michigan and over 40 years of experience in church music.

The full hymn is printed, then Ken Osbeck provides a one-page summary of the author's life with focus on the circumstances of how each hymn came to be written.

I found it very helpful and insightful to learn the story-behind-the-story of each hymn. These poignant insights are very useful in explaining the hymn in Sunday school classes and to the entire congregation.

This book has my full recommendation, and for just ten dollars, it represents good value as well. The book is very readable for laypersons. (This reviewer is a geologist and not a professional musician.)

When I first became a Christian about 8 years ago, I somehow got the idea that praise and worship music was the truly "spiritual music" - hymns were old-fashioned, and people who enjoyed them did so because they were hide-bound by tradition. If you're thinking this now, please listen to me.

A year or so ago I heard about well-known and respected Christians like John MacArthur and Joni Eareckson Tada talk about how the old hymns were so meaningful to them and really strengthened their faith. That got me thinking: so it's not just stodgy old 80-year olds who love those old hymns. Maybe there's something to them after all.

So I got this book. And I have been so blessed by it. God has shown me that true worship is so much more than just a feeling. He wants all parts of me - my body, my soul, and my spirit - to be involved in worship. So many in churches today are satisfied with getting only their spirits involved; some want their body involved too (lifting hands, etc.); but the truly mature (I am coming to believe) also get their souls (or minds) involved. Your mind doesn't get involved when you just repeat "Isn't He" fifty times; it does when you sing (and really think about) the wonderful words to songs like "O, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" or "Blessed Assurance."

Both these songs and many, many more are covered in this book. Get it, sing the songs, think about what Christ has done for you, think about the circumstances of their writing. And take your worship to another level.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is captivated by the beauty of English-language hymns and wants to learn more about their origin. Osbeck does an outstanding job of presenting short, interesting, readable biographies of hymn writers such as Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts and many more. The words and music appear, too. And don't forget about the sequel, "101 More Hymn Stories."

The book is worth reading for anyone who enjoys hymns. However, many of the "stories behind the hymns" are nothing more than a brief biographical sketch of the author and composer.

The reason for this is legitimate, of course: no one has a written account of the author's intent when he or she wrote many of these hymns, especially the older ones. There are notable exceptions, of course, such as the story behind "It Is Well With My Soul," one of my favorites.

So my recommendation is thus: take the time to read the book. You'll learn some history, and probably some new hymns as well. But, don't be surprised when all you get at times is a background of the author, not of the hymn itself.

This wonderful book is a must-have for every Christian! The author took 101 favorite hymns (including A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Just As I Am, and There Is a Fountain) and for each one reproduced the sheet music (just as you would see in a hymnal), and then gives you a page or two telling you about the author(s) and the hymn itself. This is a great book, one that told me a lot about the old hymns that I sang, but really knew nothing about. The shortness of each section, usually two to four pages, also makes this wonderful bedtime read. I highly recommend this book!

What a blessing to find this book! I was looking for reference material in order to teach the history of hymns to the children's choir at my church and found this treasure.

Everything is in one place - the words and music, the Scripture reference(s) and a detailed account of how the words and music came to be written and by whom. The children (as well as myself) were amazed to find out what songs were hundreds of years old or only 50 years old and how they are used still today.

My copy is currently being used as reference material by my pastor to share with our congregation in a series on the history of our favorite traditional hymns.

This book is also excellent entertainment/historical reading.

I'm very grateful for its being written and highly recommended it.

This is a great book if you want to know the story behind your favorite hymns. It is always enjoyable to know why particular lyrics and music were written! Osbeck does great research and it is not disappointing.

I was disapointed. One of the reveiws said the book had all the verses and it doesn't. I am looking for Hymn History with all the verses. Some or many hymns have 10-15 verses. This book does not show them.

"101 Hymn Stories"
This beautiful book will add new beauty to some of the favourite hymns which have been inspirational for centuries. The stories of the composing of these hymns and the glimpses into the lives of the great men and women who composed them and the folk who gave the verses their musical settings is most interesting. A great devotional book.

I found this book is great for learning the stories of the hymn writers and the stories behind the music. as a pastor I like to share them as lessons to encourage.