An Ancient Strife (Caledonia Series, Book 2) [Paperback]

Michael Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2000

Michael Phillips gives readers evocative descriptions of distant lands and distant times, a panorama of a world you can visit only through books.

AN ANCIENT STRIFE, the second book in the Scottish CALEDONIA series, brings all of these elements together with a contemporary political mystery that holds the future of a nation in its answer. At the heart of the book stands Andrew Trentham, a member of the British Parliament who continues his personal pilgrimage to discover his heritage in order to answer questions looming before him in the government.

Through stories read and told to him, he uncovers more about his own ancestors, more about the history of Scotland, and more about the spirit of a people long kept from experiencing the freedom they so desire. At the height of his search, Trentham comes across a feisty highland lass who throws unexpected complications into his personal life. Will she help or hinder his quest to finds the answers he desperately needs? Will he gain the courage and vision necessary to learn from the example of the past and stand for what he truly believes?

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms. Phillips vivid description of the Highlands and its vibrant people leave the reader in awe. This is an emotion-packed tale." -- Rendezvous, January 2001 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Michael Phillips is an author, editor, publisher, and bookseller. He's written nearly 50 books, including many best sellers, and his current total book sales have capped five million.

He's also the editor of 25 books by 19th-century author George MacDonald (Bethany House). Sales now top l.5 million copies. Plus, he's the founder of Sunrise Books, which issues leather-bound editions of MacDonald's original works. At age 45, Phillips is responsible for nearly 100 titles that today circulate in the Christian marketplace.

This output stems from the printed page's greatest influence on Phillips' life. Besides the extensive library in his office, seven volumes perch in a place of honor on top of his desk. Each book represents a significant growth period in Schaeffer, C.S. Lewis, MacDonald, and Richard Foster. A key element in his work has been editing MacDonald's writings. "MacDonald has been a spiritual mentor for me," Phillips says, "exactly as he was for C.S. Lewis.

A Testament of Devotion by Thomas Kelley, launched Phillips' career in bookselling. While in college preparing for what he thought would be a physics career, possibly with NASA, he read Kelley's book. "It had such a profound impact on my whole spiritual being, I began giving copies away," he says.

While searching for inexpensive ways to purchase this book, Phillips created a small bookstore in one corner of his student apartment. This small venture grew, but after a few years in bookselling, Phillips found his interest in books leading him to write.

Phillips has also co-written five best-selling Bethany House fiction series with fellow Eureka, CA resident Judith Pella: the HIGHLAND and two STONEWYCKE series set in Scotland, THE JOURNALS OF CORRIE BELL HOLLISTER, and THE RUSSIANS. The Phillips/Pella titles are now approaching 2 million in sales.

His most recent books, Wayward Winds, Book 2 in the SECRETS OF HEATHERSLEIGH HALL series, and Legend of the Celtic Stone, Book 1 in his monumental new CALEDONIA series, continue his fine tradition of bringing history to life with compelling plots and intriguing characters.

A versatile author, he's had 14 books named finalists in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Medallion award competition., and in 1993 he had the distinction of being the author of two of the top five fiction books- The Crown and the Crucible (Bethany) and Pinnacles of Power (Moody).

Phillips' life is a constant juggling of multiple objectives&operating a bookstore, a publishing company, and a home-school; writing some of the best-selling books in the industry; and maintaining a high level of confidence and enthusiasm for all God has given him to do&with family priorities on top of everything.

Phillips identifies his secret as focus: the capacity to keep his vision clear on a particular project in the midst of many vying for his attention.

Michael and Judy Phillips live in California. They have three grown sons.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076422218X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764222184
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1970, while students at Humboldt State University, Mike and Judy Phillips began what would become the One Way BookShop as a small, informal source of Christian books and materials for their fellow students. Over the next two decades God prospered those small beginnings, and now the bookstore is a thriving part of the Humboldt County Christian community.

Mike's first published book was about his wife's pregnancy and the birth of their twin sons. After several more nonfiction titles, Mike undertook a lifelong dream to renew the popularity of Scottish writer George MacDonald, whose teachings had been central to Mike and Judy's spiritual growth. Mike began editing some of MacDonald's lengthy novels, heavy with Scottish brogue, into shorter and more readable editions, with some of the work being done right at the bookstore counter between customers.

Through the years, God has continued to guide Mike in the production of books emphasizing strong spiritual values and unforgettable characters. In addition to being best sellers in Christian bookstores all across the country, Mike's books have been offered through several book clubs, have been translated into a number of foreign languages, and have been published in over 120 editions in all, with sales of over 3 million. Mike is today recognized as one of the Christian bookselling industry's most prolific and versatile authors.

Family is very important to Mike. He and his wife, Judy, have taught their three sons, Patrick, Robin, and Gregory, at home throughout their education. Home schooling enables the family to frequently accompany Mike in his work-related travels.

It has always been Mike's desire in his writing that all who read his books will find a closer and more real walk with God through the characters and stories. Both he and Judy enjoy responses from readers and find great encouragement from the letters they receive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Saga Continues, December 1, 2000

By 

Jody Allen (US) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Ancient Strife (Caledonia Series, Book 2) (Paperback)

Michael Phillips has provided readers with a wonderful continuation to his first book THE LEGEND OF THE CELTIC STONE. Yes all the elements are there, the rich history both past and present, the same characters and a continuation of the mysterious journey our protagonist is making. However,there are some interesting suprises for the readers of the first book with a twist in the contemporary story with the introduction of some new characters and a sub plot with one character in particular.

However, the story is as compelling as the first as our hero continues his journey toward understanding his Scottish past and what importance it has for his future. The back stories featuring Scottish history are wonderfully crafted and will delight the reader but might not have as much importance to the contemporary plot as the first book, still all in all good reading. For those who haven't read the first book, this one really can't stand alone as there is a need to know much of the background and the impact of the story will be lost. However, I would highly recommend both books for the reader who wants a lush historical journey but needs the anchor of a contemporary story right from today's headlines. These two books will appeal not only to the historical reader but those who like a bit of romance as well and of course as this is book is from a Christian publisher there are elements of strong faith but they never overpower the story. A wonderfully delicious addition to a body of work that has much to offer the discerning reader.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Reactions, May 1, 2001

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: An Ancient Strife (Caledonia Series, Book 2) (Paperback)

Long live Scotland! Phillips has stirred my heart for this great land. His storytelling and research are superb, particularly when he lets them walk stride for stride.

In his first Caledonia book, Phillips swept me away...in this sequel, the research gets ahead of the story and I felt brushed along. In "Legend of the Celtic Stone," Phillips drew strong and memorable characters from Scotland's past and invited me to be a part of that history. In "An Ancient Strife," he took me to fascinating places, but the facts overwhelmed the fiction at times.

I enjoyed this sequel. And I'll look for the follow up. I'm sure that Phillips has exhaustively delved into Scottish history, with laudable results--but it seems he felt bound to communicate more history than I bargained for. Some of you historical fiction fans might desire this very thing, but I still hoped for a story to get lost in. Instead, I felt that the book was driving itself forward on a rigid timeline, omitting scenes that the story had been building to, breaking into characters' interaction with chapters that were, more accurately, long footnotes.

In the notes at the back of the book, Phillips hints at scenes that the editor had him omit, and they were scenes I would've infinitely enjoyed. Whether editor or author continued to cut out anticipated elements, I don't know, but I did feel cheated a few times.

If you're looking for well-researched and fascinating storytelling, Phillips still has that ability. If you felt his first book raised the bar for the genre (as I did), don't let this one disappoint you. I'm sure that the third will continue this great series, only this time I hope Phillips lets his fiction have room to run--it's in this capacity that he rises above the pack.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ex-pat Scot dicovers his history, January 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: An Ancient Strife (Caledonia Series, Book 2) (Paperback)

I moved to USA 3 years ago, having always considered myself a realitically patriotic Scot. Scottish Nationalism, however, was not my preferred political outlook and I remain unconvinced of its longterm benefit to either Scotland or Britain as a whole. However, that in no way hindered me from becoming completely absorbed in this tale of modern political intrigue mixed with raw historical drama. Mr Phillips is indeed a storyteller of rare quality who can, with little persuasion, encourage a reader to readily set aside his/her own preconceptions and political preferences and wholeheartedly swing behind his hero. I was completely invested in the outcome of this tale. Hats off to you, Mr Phillips. You may make a nationalist of me yet!!