Brother Benjamin: A History of the Israelite House of David [Hardcover]

Clare E. Adkin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0943872553 | ISBN-13: 978-0943872551 | Publication Date: November 1990

What is the "House of David," who was King Ben, and how did this man come to establish a religious commune in Benton Harbor,Michigan? The book traces the history of this religious sect from 1903 to 1990. In BROTHER BENJAMIN, Clare E. Adkin, Jr. explores the answers to these questions from the inside. The foundation of his effort lies in the 200 plus interviews he conducted in an effort to look at the Israelites (as members refer to themselves) from every possible perspective-- including their famous long-haired baseball teams and scandals within the sect. Combine these interviews with the meticulous scouring of court records and reviewing of endless news articles, and the result is an extraordinarily detailed, lucid account of a rather well known although poorly understood, religious sect.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a comprehensive account of the House of David. The book represents over 10 years of research and interviews. -- William F. Ast III, Assistant Metro Editor, Herald-Palladium Newspaper, St. Joseph, MI

Adkin ... decided to write the book to dispel some of the myths and stereoptypes ... about the House of David. -- Lois Dotson, Kalamazoo Gazette

During the more than 10 years of research Adkin devoted to the book, he compiled 12 pages of sources... -- Chris Benninghoff, South Bend Tribune, South Bend, IN

About the Author

Clare E. Adkin, Jr. was born and raised on a fruit farm in Allegan County, Michigan. After graduating from South Haven High School in 1961, he attended Michigan State University where he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees. After 20 years as a high school history teacher and basketball coach, Adkin returned to school in 1985 and was graduated with honors from Western Michigan University with a history M.A. At that time he was inducted in Phi Alpha Theta the international honors society for history.

Adkin is active in a broad range of community, civic, and cultural endeavors. Within the classroom he involves his students in the art of history by utilizing personal projects such as book reviews, local history research, and political policy essays as examples of the historic method. Valuing a first hand historical experience, Adkin utilizes war vetrans, business people, and key area political figures in his classroom. He has been the recipient of several honors for both his teaching and coaching.

BROTHER BENJAMIN represents more than a decade of research and is Adkin's first attempt at a major hisotrical work. Adkin and his wife Sally raised three children in St. Joseph, MI, and now make their home in Chapel Hill, NC. Adkin is currently history chair at Cary Academy, a private high school in Cary, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 374 pages
• Publisher: Andrews Univ Pr (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943872553
• ISBN-13: 978-0943872551
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best History of the Group I've Read, February 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Brother Benjamin: A History of the Israelite House of David (Hardcover)

This history of the House of David is objective, informative, and very well documented. The author conducted interviews with members, ex-members, and people who were in one way or another had interactions with the group and has many first hand stories included in the book. I enjoyed reading about all the things the group was involved in, made, invented, and the impact they had on the surrounding area and America as a whole.

The pictures included in the book enhance the text by giving faces to associate with some of the people involved in the group.

A fascenating history of one prophet, two cities, and the many good people who lived the religion. Well done, Mr. Adkin!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Job on Brother Benjamin and the House of David, March 22, 2007

By 

House of David Museum "Director" (Benton Harbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brother Benjamin: A history of the Israelite House of David (Hardcover)

This is wonderfully informative and well written book! It takes the reader on a fascinating journey of the mysterious House of David, and allows you to take an exciting ride into the lives of a rare and wonderful group of individuals that very well may have accomplished more than any small group in America. The book is on display at the House of David Museum and is used as a reference guide for those that stop in for a visit or to learn more about this fabulous religious colony. Mr. Adkin lived in the area of the House of David, and had the fortune of becoming familiar with many of those that still survived at the House of David Grounds in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The book is the best to date in regards to telling the complete, unbiased story of this great piece of American history!