Courageous: A Novel [Paperback]

Randy Alcorn (Author), Alex Kendrick (Author), Stephen Kendrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2011

From the creators of Fireproof comes an inspiring new story about everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark. They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them.

Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them? When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God . . . and to their children?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Randy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to starting EPM, he served as a pastor for 14 years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. 

Randy is the best-selling author of over 35 books (4 million in print), including the novels Deadline, Dominion, and Deception, Safely Home, as well as The Chasm and Courageous. His nonfiction works include Heaven; If God is Good; Managing God's Money; Money, Possessions and Eternity; The Purity Principle; The Treasure Principle; The Grace and Truth Paradox; and The Law of Rewards. Randy has written for many magazines and produces the popular periodical Eternal Perspectives. He's been a guest on numerous radio and television programs, including Focus on the Family, The Bible Answer Man, FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform, and Faith Under Fire. 

The father of two married daughters, Randy lives in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife and best friend, Nanci. They are the proud grandparents of several grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Books; Mti edition (July 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414358466
• ISBN-13: 978-1414358468
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (341 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,341 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Randy Alcorn is an author and the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit ministry dedicated to teaching principles of God's Word and assisting the church in ministering to the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled, and unsupported people around the world. His ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity. He accomplishes this by analyzing, teaching, and applying the biblical truth.

Before starting EPM in 1990, Randy served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has an MA degree in Biblical Studies from Multnomah University and an Honorary Doctorate from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and has taught on the adjunct faculties of both.

A New York Times bestselling author, Randy has written more than forty books, including Courageous, Heaven, The Treasure Principle, and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His books in print exceed seven million and have been translated into over fifty languages. Randy has written for many magazines including EPM's issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives. He is active daily on Facebook and Twitter, has been a guest on more than 700 radio, television and online programs including Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, Revive Our Hearts, The Bible Answer Man, and The Resurgence.

Randy resides in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife, Nanci. They have two married daughters and are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research, and reading.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#72 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#72 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Courageous August 8, 2011

By Melissa Smith

Format:Paperback

From the back of the book: "As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark.

They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them?

When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God...and to their children?"

My review: This is a great book! As I read, I did not feel like I was reading just another story. This book was real. The characters and the story were believable. There were moments of frustration, moments of anticipation, moments when I laughed out loud, and moments when I cried as I read. Courageous is a book that will challenge your faith. Even though this book focused on the dads, I was challenged as a mom to take seriously the responsibility of rearing children that love God and love people. Every parents should read this book. I couldn't put it down and look forward to watching the movie. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tyndale Blog Review- "Courageous" August 12, 2011

By To Know Him

Format:Paperback

Oh my goodness, I just finished the book "Courageous", and it was FABULOUS!!! If you are thinking, "hey isn't that the name of the new movie coming out in September from the makers of "Facing the Giants" and "Fireproof", then you would be correct. If you have no idea what I am talking about it doesn't matter because this book is wonderful, even if you never see the movie.

Tyndale provided me a complimentary copy of the book, and in turn I must submit a review of the book (Thanks Tyndale). I debated whether or not to read the book, as I was so looking forward to seeing the movie and letting the storyline unfold as I watch the movie. But, curiosity got the best of me and I decided to read the book first. I am so glad I did. Randy Alcorn (author of Heaven) is the author of this book, based on the movie by the Kendrick Brothers. Alcorn states that about 20% was actually taken directly from the script and then he came up with the rest in order to turn it into a novel.

I don't want to give any of the details of the storyline away because I don't want to spoil it for those that are waiting to see the movie first. However, I will say that this book has more twists and turns that will keep your head spinning (in a good way of course). You jump head into the drama of the story in the first few pages, and it keeps getting better and better. I pride myself on being able to figure out a storyline, but this book kept surprising me as the story progressed. Alcorn is a terrific writer, and the Kendrick brothers gave him a great script that he was able to turn into a great book.

If a book can make you cry, then this book will require you to keep a box of tissues near. Don't worry you will smile too as there are some funny moments scattered throughout the dramatic storyline.

The thing that I love the most about this book is that the gospel is presented clearly, and throughout the whole book you are pointed back to Jesus. The book portrays very difficult subject matter, and Alcorn never states that if a person believes in Jesus all his problems will be solved, but he shows that Jesus can walk with us throughout our most difficult times in life and give us peace.

If I had to evaluate what the main theme of this book would be it would be the awesome responsibility of "fathers" in society today. Although the focus is on the role of fathers, this book will speak to all people (women, children, single, married, divorced, lonely, hurting, etc). I highly recommend this book, and now I cannot wait to see the movie.

Thanks again Tyndale for the opportunity to read this book!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Active leadership August 4, 2011

By Tricia

Format:Paperback

It's about police officers, but it isn't. It's bigger than that. It's about fathers, but it isn't. It's bigger than that. It's about troubled teens, but it isn't. It's bigger than that. It is about a society that is on the fast track to loosing it's young people, if men don't start taking the place of leadership God intended for them to take in their homes and families. A type of leadership that says,"I love you too much to sit back, and allow you destroy your life." It's about active leadership.

The book Courageous by Randy Alcorn is a novelization based on the screenplay by Alex and Stephen Kendrick. It follows the lives of several policemen, one immigrant worker, and each of their families. When tragedy strikes, one father, takes the advice of his pastor to "become a student of God's Word." Through his studies, he realizes that he must make some changes in his life. He writes a resolution, and asks his friends to join him by adhering to it and being accountable to one another. His friends realize how important it is and agree to work together to help one another live the resolution.

The characters are both strong and vulnerable. The plot is both interesting and believable. I love the strong moral message. I love that Alcorn stays true to some of his deepest convictions by having one of the characters volunteer at a Crises Pregnancy Center. I also love that Alcorn includes characters from past movies by Sherwood Pictures, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants. I was disappointed to find out that one of my favorite characters, Bronson, is in the book but not in the movie (according to my husband who has seen the movie). But that is all the more reason to read the book, so you don't miss out on the colorful antics of Bronson.

I was given a free advanced reader copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers, for the express purpose of writing a review. I did not promise a favorable review.