Customer Reviews

Assaulted by Joy: The Redemption of a Cynic

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
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We weren't sure for a long time where the author was going with his life story, but when he finally made his point, it made for a happy ending and a good, easy read. If you're looking for a book that tells you how to be joyful through Scripture, this book isn't it. There are very few Scriptural references, and there is a bit of "psycho babble" (the author is a psycho-therapist). I would recommend this book for cynics and anyone married to a cynic, as it provides some insight into the cynical mind. My husband really identified with the author and gained encouragement from his story, and I understand the cynics in my life in a new way. However, we both would have preferred more ties of the conclusion to Scripture.

As a graduate of the same school as the author, I enjoyed his interesting experiences with Fuller, his candor and honesty, and his incredible insight into his own heart. He shares his weaknesses and his triumphs, his trials and his victories, equally. No triumphalism here.

This is absolutely one of the best books I have read in many years!

I promise you will not be disappointed.

Dr. Jeffry L. Smith

Perfect for : Personal Use, Great for the cynic in your life, Bible Study

In a nutshell: I immediately liked the author - his candidness and honesty was refreshing, and while I could not relate to everything he wrote about, he sounds alot like one or two people I know well! I was able to gain some insight into my own life and relationships from the author. He talks openly about his life from the time he was seven, through school, college, marriage and parenthood. I'll hand it to him - he was able to see what it was in his life that turned him into a cynical person, and he explained it in a conversational tone, so it was easy to understand. The entire book is that way: conversational in tone with plenty of examples and pearls of wisdom. This is a great book for both the cynic and the bystander, as well as people who have gone through life changes like marriage and parenthood! The author shows us that even in our ups and downs, God is at work in our life and has not forgotten us, we just don't understand what he is doing right now. An added benefit for me is that I feel the author was able to help me see that some actions and comments are made with certain intentions that I may not understand at the time, and my reaction may not be what the other person is expecting.

As a mother of three on the ground and one on the way, stories about others who have more children than the norm (is it 1.25 these days?) always pique my interest. When the story of a husband who suddenly found himself the father of quadruplets was published, and with a Christian slant, I was very interested to read Stephen Simpson's experiences.

Truthfully though, Assaulted by Joy wasn't quite what I expected. Much of the book is devoted to Simpson's life as a self-proclaimed "jerk" - his teenage angst and rebellion (most notably marked by his experiences with music and how they didn't jive with his youth group), his dissatisfaction with life in general, and so forth.

Readers may also want to note that Simpson and his wife struggle with the decision to carry all of their children for as long as they can - there isn't a distinctly pro-life stance presented here in the preservation of each tiny baby's life.

There just doesn't seem to be a lot of joy to go around in this book. Even after the birth of his children the books emphasis is on feelings of overwhelm, medical challenges etc. Maybe I missed the joy somewhere along the line?

Of course, this memoir is realistic for that reason - many of us struggle with feelings of overwhelm, angst, and frustration, especially when we try to run our lives on our own instead of surrendering all those details to the Lord. Well, let's be honest - sometimes even when we're doing our best to hand these things over to the Lord.

I suppose I was expecting something more definitively joy-filled that distinctly celebrated children rather than being mired in the many struggles and discontent moments of life. If, like me, you're looking for a deeply inspirational read, this title won't likely fit the bill.

Typically this is not a book I would pick up and read for fun, but after reading the back cover and the subtitle {The Redemption of a Cynic}, I was hooked. The book read very quickly and I was laughing out loud and reading bits of it to my husband while we were driving.

Stephen's life, from youth group days to finding out he would be the father of quadruplets, is portrayed with honesty and humor. He shares openly about his feelings and what he has learned along the way in his relationship with God. There are many points in his walk with God that I can relate to and understand the cynicism that easily sets into life.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"It never occurred to me that ignoring God was the thing creating my despair. Instead, I blamed it on him. But once I started talking to God again and nurturing our relationship, my feelings of despair evaporated. I discovered that griping about God does nothing. Griping to God invites him into the conversation.

And once he starts talking, it's hard to stay hopeless.' {p. 121}

Those who have read the book can fully appreciate the Assaulted by Joy website since he has a picture scrapbook of sorts posted for his readers - making the book even more relate-able. You can even take the Christian Cynic Quiz {which is hilarious} and see where you are on the cynicism scale.

Such an enjoyable read! Witty and warm, yet with the impact of his angst, Simpson has shared his journey with all of its ups and downs. I love his honesty in presenting not only his viewpoint but in stepping back to objectively finish the picture. This book would be great for sharing with adolescents and adults who are looking for thoughtful answers about life and faith.

This book isn't categorized as a memoir, and yet it has that flavor --- a strong narrative voice carrying a specific thread through a life story. Many compelling Christian memoirs are "prodigal" stories: a person returning to faith after years of raucous living. There's a hint of that journey here, but Stephen Simpson's ASSAULTED BY JOY feels a bit different --- and refreshingly so.

Here's a hyperactive child, then teen, then grown man, who wants and has a relationship with God but who wrestles with a church youth leader's rigid rules, a peer's sudden death, a girlfriend's goodbye. After college he gets a first job, as a church youth group leader, only to be terminated with little cause and no warning. This is a young man who didn't know how to assimilate the hard knocks that are part of life. Where to lay the blame? It must be God's fault.

Later, at critical junctures, especially in grad school (Fuller Theological Seminary, where he earned concurrently a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and a master's in theology), Simpson senses God's intervening grace. A well-placed word by a fellow classmate who, like Simpson, doesn't seem to fit the school's stereotypical profile. A helpful Christian counselor. A journey begins, "trying to feel good about God again."

Most of Simpson's chapters focus on a specific person who complicates a particular area of his life. Much of the chapter presents the person as an irritant; Simpson tells the story from a young cynic's viewpoint. But then the chapter turns around, as he looks back with a broader view, appreciating the lessons he learned through that particular season.

As the book progresses, as a former cynic he defines and analyzes cynicism. "Beneath the surly and sarcastic exterior of a cynic lies a broken heart. Most cynics once believed in something with all their hearts and minds." And he personalizes it: God "showed me, one more time, that cynicism doesn't really keep me safe --- it just keeps me from joy."

In this book, Simpson journeys toward joy. But, as the title promises, there's an eventual "assault" that comes by means of fatherhood, not of a single child but of quadruplets --- three girls and one boy. Their initial arrival does not bring the turnaround; in the short term the children seriously strain his marriage, prompting an overload of stress and work. Rather, the joy breaks out when the kids are about a year old (he finishes the book when they are two years old) --- after marriage counseling and after being forced to "slow down" by a physical ailment.

The resolution of the book is a spiritual breakthrough, a gift of God's. But it is so closely tied to the gift of young children that I would not recommend this book for someone struggling with infertility. And yet, this is an engaging, redemptive read. It's a good narrative that slips in a psychologist's advice for mature and faithful living. Recommended for restless or cynical men --- and women --- who wonder if they're ever going to find a place of rest or joy.

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

It was awesome! I laughed. I cried. Honestly, I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a book. Mr. Simpson's descriptions of emotion, what was happening, etc, were wonderful! It was such an encouragement to me as well. I never thought anyone could really relate to how I feel, but after reading what Mr. Simpson's been through, I know I'm not alone. I hope that makes sense. Anyway, it was amazing. And I mean it when I say I cried. My goodness! People need to read this book. And what's even more cool, is this is a book Mr. Simpson's quadruplets will one day read. It'll be so neat for them to relive their coming into this world through their father's eyes. It'll be a treasure to pass down from generation to generation. What a treasure to have!

Assaulted by Joy by Stephen W Simpson A Book Review

This is a interesting book. I loved how Stephen W. Simpson uses his own testimoney to write a book. He writes in such a down to earth way that I think even a rebellious teenager could get a real Blessing out of this! In fact, I want to buy several of these books for some teenagers that I know! I loved in the book when Stephen says that what cynicism does is split the truth in half. We forget because of our preoccupation with the things that have hurt us. about the things that have nutured us. The things we love, that bring us the most joy, they make us the most crazy. He also said, which I believe that being a Christian means exchanging comfort for something so much better, JOY! You will want to read this book. It's something for young and old alike. Thanks Stephen W. Simpson for writing this book!

Assaulted by Joy by Stephen W. Simpson is a moving story of one man's journey through faith to joy. Simpson came to Jesus when he was only seven, but like many of us Christians, he thought that accepting Jesus into his heart would ensure an easy life. It would be easy not to sin, and the roadblocks that everyone else faces wouldn't exist. The discovery that that's a false belief is difficult for many new believers, and the troubles Simpson faced made him angry at God. He still attended church, but stopped communicating with his Savior, which made bearing all of those troubles even more difficult. But God has a funny way of bringing us back to Him. After a struggle to become pregnant, Simpson and his wife, Shelley, became pregnant with quadruplets. What should have been a time of joy became a time of torment as they had to consider selective reduction, Shelley was on bed rest for eight months, and the constant worry that the children would face major physical and mental disabilities after birth. Simpson is a captivating writer; I read one chapter a night as part of my devotional time, and I had a hard time putting it down after just that one chapter. The writing is excellent, and Simpson's story is one of real triumph. Not Simpson's triumph, but God's to show him the true meaning of joy and faith. It's a beautiful story with powerful lessons for those who may be seeking joy and something to believe in.