Customer Reviews

Lords of the Earth (International Adventures)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A riveting page turner full of surprise after surprise, that evokes emotions that swell to the very core of humanity and Christianity.

The amazing story of Stan and Pat Dale among the Yali people, the battle on the front line over the lives and souls of men and women and children all made in the image of God, but having lost view of what the image means.

In the end, like Don's other books: Eternity in their Hearts and Peace Child; this book brings about a humble recognition that God is God and there is no other, second only to the recognition and appreciation for people like Stan and Don and their families that risk life, health and comfort for their love and desire to spread the good news of the gospel of peace!

If this book won't give you a heart for missions, nothing will. This book tells the story of Stan Dale and the Yali tribe as cultures clash and the Gospel wins over the hearts of fierce and cruel warriors, whose enjoyment is to shoot so many arrows into a victim to porcupine him or her, and then eat with relish the corpse of a victim. These people are so entralled to their spirits that any violation of taboo was punished by death. Women were also excluded from all rituals and religion and deemed unclean. Into this walks Stan Dale charging forward with fortitude determination and a total reliance on God. Winning a few young converts coupled with tortuous hard labor to construct a basic airstrip, Dale and a friend were martyred. Then through a total act of Providence, God intervened miraculously and revival swept the Yali people at the same spot where the two missionaries were killed and dismembered by the appearance of a little missionary boy and his protection by a wise old man. You must read this book to find out what happens. After all is revealed, you will see the Hand of God, protecting Stan Dale and his family in a very humourous manner based on mistaken identity.

This book will give you a taste of the challenges in reaching a lost world. It is still going on today with organizations such as the New Tribes Mission whose missionaries were recently martyred in the Philippines. Truly amazing real-life stories.

This was an exciting book to read, not just for the exotic setting in remote Irian Jaya, not just for the odd social Yali customs, not just for the bravery and determination of the missionaries who lived among these cannibalistic people, but because Richardson is a superb storyteller who knows how to blend fascinating tales with a good dash of suspense. It took very little effort to read this book as I was so caught up in the story that it was hard to put down. Recommended reading.

"Lords of the Earth" is the term the Yali warriors use to describe themselves. They live in the Heluk valley in Irian Jaya, and the only knowledge of them to reach the outside world are the dark rumors of the cannibals beyond the mountains. The first section of the book is about them, their customs, and the awful fear and darkness they lived in. Don Richardson does a great job portraying a people bound by chains of sin, and longing for release. The horror of their pain is graphic, and not suitable to be read to younger children.

The second part of the book describes the early life of Stan Dale, his conversion, and his burden for those in darkness. He is drawn as a determined man, physically strong and fit, with firm convictions.

The book goes on to tell of Stan's coming to the Yali people. How a strange story begins over his identity, protecting his life. How the first few Yali Christians were killed, and later Stan and a fellow missionary were brutally murdered. How another missionary family died in a plane crash, except for the nine-year-old son, whose friendship with the Yali paves the way for them to turn to Christ.

The book reminded me Christ's words in John 12:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." On earth, Stan Dale never saw the fruit his life and death brought forth, but he will rejoice in heaven with the Yali that are there through his witness.

This book is probably the best I have read. It puts you in the picture with excelent detail yet easy to read. Not to mention the real life suspense of the Yali mountain tribe people and the sheer guts and determination of missonary Stan Dale. If Speilberg wants to make another great movie like Schindlers List, this would have to be it.

My heart was torn apart as I read the story of the Yali people. This is one of those 'I can't put it down' books. I'm still somewhat smitten in my heart over the price these missionaries paid and the intense need for the gospel these people so desperately demonstrated. God help us to heed the call to go into all the world.

lords of the earth is an excellent book! every time i read it i am amazed at God's grace and divine providence. don richardson is an excellent writer. his vivid description makes this amazing true story come to life. i've read it several times, and each time i just can't put it down.

This is an incredible true story of a man passionate to reach for Christ those who have never heard. It also clearly illustrates the darkness, evil and despair that comes from idolatry. But it also shows the true liberation and freedom that can come only for Christ. This book will draw you in from the first page.

The world needs more people like Stan. People who are willing to trust solely in God and how are willing to go to dangerous remote areas to share Christ. This book will shatter your complaceny and force you to think. I highly recommend this book. For all Christians, but especially those (like me) who have heart for missions. This book details the good, the bad, and the ugly of missions work.

The surprising gift of this book is the introduction (for me, at least) to Stan Dale, a missionary of heroic proportions. In the flesh, Dale is portrayed as a resolute and courageous ironman; in the spiritual, he's portrayed as a giant. Inspiring, in that regard. I presume that Richardson's knowledge of some of the actions/thoughts etc. of the indigenous peoples are from hearsay and speculation (I don't know this to be true), and the writing style certainly seemed to be more sentimental in those portions of the book. Even so, this is worth the reading.

This book is one of the best I've ever read. I rarely sit for an entire day to read a book but I just couldn't stop reading. Mr. Richardson starts by explaining the culture of the Yali tribe, then moves to the life and background of Stan Dale. Seeing the providence of God at work as the third part brings the Yali tribe and Stan Dale together is remarkable. Stan Dale's conviction, comittment, and compassion is something to inspire any believer concerned with spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.