Customer Reviews

Glimpses of Truth (The Book of Books Series #1)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I highly recommend "Glimpses of Truth" to anyone who 1) enjoys a good adventure, 2) likes a tender romance and 3) wants to understand why the Bible is a precious book.

Jack Cavanaugh is a master of historical fiction, bringing to life the people and places involved in major events long ago that still affect us today. One can practically smell the earthy grime of the village of Fearnleah, taste an elaborate dinner prepared for the bishop, hear the hubbub at the annual Christ's Mass celebration. But more than that, we are led through young Thomas Torr's spiritual odyssey in a way that leaves a permanent impression; one can never look at the Bible in the same way.

All in all, this first volume in the Book of Books series is a great read and difficult to put down. But that's the case with most anything written by Cavanaugh!

Wow...this book was really great! I had never read anything by Jack Cavanaugh before, and I really don't know who he was - but this book totally blew me away. You get totally drawn into the story and you feel connected to each one of the characters - when one takes a blow you feel it! My favorite part of this book is how God is highlighted as the main focus -then there is this tender romance underlying it - that...wow, just tears at you! It's a great book, I highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed!

Jack Cavanaugh is one of my favorite writers of historical fiction--this book is yet another example of why he's so good at his craft. Facts and figures are woven into the fabric of the story, not stitched on top like superfluous trim. His homework is obvious, yet never overshadows the story or the characters. It's a powerful rendering of the Wycliffe history, told with a pastor's heart and a novelist's sense of drama. A wonderful read!

When I first looked at the description of this book I thought, "How could the english translation of the Bible be an interesting subject for a historial novel". After reading it I am in awe of the people who suffered and sacrified their lives to get the Bible into the hands of others. Seeing the scriptures, with all the hope they provided, for the first time must have been a life changing experience. I can't imagine not having my Bible to read freely. And this is exactly the picture Jack Cavanaugh creates in this book. The heart of the book is best illustrated in the statement "I'll be content with whatever glimpses of the truth he'll [God] allow me to keep." This book really makes you appreciate what a privaledge we have today. I can hardly wait until the next in the series. Please hurry Jack!

I will never look at my Bible the same way. Jack Cavanaugh writes a compelling tale of love and commitment, courage and compassion. In Glimpses of Truth, the tale of the English translation of God's Word is told in a stirring, heart-felt way. The book we take for granted can only be resting in our hands today because of the blood of others. Their strength of purpose, their love for God, their commitment to truth enables us to read God's word for ourselves, in our own language. Jack Cavanaugh brings home the ultimate truth that having God's Word isn't just a privilege, it's a heavenly right, and one we should never take for granted. Put this in your shopping cart. You won't be sorry you did.

this is one of the best books i have ever read i finished it in 2 days! has everything one would want in a novel .. as a Christian definetly influenced the way i will see the bible.. A MUST READ

Jack Cavanaugh - Master of Historical Fiction - This and many of his books include an "Afterward" that includes sorting of Fact from his wonderful Fiction and details of any changes made to create a wonderful trip into the lives and the people of the past who made the life and freedom, not to mention the Truth that we have today.

I have read every book he has written, leaving me wanting more. It's the best medicine for the busy, hectic lives we lead to know that these moments we are living were not without a rich, torrid and interesting history. We are living in a richness and hope passed down by, and paid for by those who went before. Thank you every one - fictional and real! God's Word and the hope it has given us is priceless.

This is the first Jack Cavanaugh novel I've read, and I'm so happy to have discovered him. As someone who has a fascination with the Reformation & the colonial period of America, I found myself thanking the author for giving me the opportunity to feel like I was a fly on the wall, imagining what it might have been like to live back then. I love the brave souls who stood up to corruption and paved the way not only for us to have the Bible in English, but who also set the events in motion that led to the founding of this nation based on the rule of law, not men.

A young peasant Thomas Torr, has grand abmitions. He is determined to be more than a ploughman, and through his association with John Wycliffe, he hopes to attend Oxford University.
When he is invited to Rome to defend the Wycliffe translation, Thomas believes his hour has come, and gladly agrees. He soon realises that the Bishops and Cardinals of Rome have plans of thier own, and risks losing everything he holds dear..

This is an excellent story, it depcits wonderfully the everyday struggles of common people in medieval England. As well as the growth of the Lollard movement, which had a profound affect upon the men and women of the period.

My only complaint was the way in which the book appeared to vilify anyone of higher social status than a peasant.
At times it resembled a communist manifesto, demonising nobles, clergy and royal officials as wicked oppressors, or shameful apostates. The peasants who resisted them are presented as proto-socialists, whose leader distorts scripture to justify rebellion.

It is implied that the peasents were the only true belivers, who held fast to John Wycliffe's teaching. As the nobility turned thier backs on him when he needed them, and abandoned the faith when Wycliffe died. This is allegedly because they were shallow, greedy cowards who cared only for thier own comfort.

In truth many aristocrats supported Wycliffe, and followed his teachings, despite being rebuked, penalised and persecuted, and would not renounce thier faith even at death.