PERSISTENT PILGRIM is the most in-depth, serious biography of Mary Baker Eddy since the Peel trilogy a generation ago and the first one-volume story of the life of the founder of Christian Science to be written by a Christian Scientist in almost 50 years. In an easily accessible book of approximately 320 pages, Richard Nenneman, who a few years ago retired as Editor-in-Chief of The Christian Science Monitor, traces the outlines of her life and the religion she described as a discovery in terms understandable to any general reader. A fascinating aspect of this biography is that Nenneman researched and read every single available piece of correspondence written by Mary Baker Eddy that is in The Mother Church archives; yet he does not use extracts or quoted materials heavily. The book examines the woman behind the public image, including her upbringing, family and personal tragedies, religious development, lawsuits, etc. These excerpts from Mrs. Eddy's letters vividly portray her challenges and her dealings with her students and later with her young church. The author does not believe that a religious biography can be written without a point of view, but he does not draw back from presenting Mrs. Eddy as a woman who could be volatile. In fact, while the book necessarily traces the development of Christian Science, it is even more a story of Mrs. Eddy's personal development, growth, and ability to lead others through her spiritual maturity. Her story culminates in the almost continual challenges she faced and overcame during the last decade of her life.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
A 'must read,' Richard Nenneman's PERSISTENT PILGRIM rivets the reader with his fresh examination of a spiritual thinker--Mary Baker Eddy. This thoughtful exploration of her life and work guides the reader to a new appreciation of her contribution - both scientific and spiritual. We've needed this book. -- M.P.
As a life-long student of Christian Science, I was delighted to find so much information that I had never been aware of before. This is a must-read. -- G.J.
Richard Nenneman's new book on Mary Baker Eddy fills the need for a one-volume biography of this major religious figure of the Twentieth Century, which is readable without sacrificing depth and scholarship. Nenneman has had access to the latest available research materials and combines them effectively with a comprehensive background knowledge of American social and religious trends. The integrity of this work, like that of his previous books is immediately clear. -- J.H.
When I first read the manuscript upon submission to Nebbadoon Press, I couldn't put it down until I finished it at 4:00 AM. Never before had a biography, or for that matter even a Grisham thriller, kept me up turning each page to see what would happen on the next. I still get goosebumps when reflecting on the contents. I now much more deeply appreciate what Mary Baker Eddy had accomplished and sacrificed so that future generations can benefit. -- G.S.
As a life-long student of Christian Science, I was delighted to find so much information that I had never been aware of before. This is a must-read. -- G.J.
Richard Nenneman's new book on Mary Baker Eddy fills the need for a one-volume biography of this major religious figure of the Twentieth Century, which is readable without sacrificing depth and scholarship. Nenneman has had access to the latest available research materials and combines them effectively with a comprehensive background knowledge of American social and religious trends. The integrity of this work, like that of his previous books is immediately clear. -- J.H.
When I first read the manuscript upon submission to Nebbadoon Press, I couldn't put it down until I finished it at 4:00 AM. Never before had a biography, or for that matter even a Grisham thriller, kept me up turning each page to see what would happen on the next. I still get goosebumps when reflecting on the contents. I now much more deeply appreciate what Mary Baker Eddy had accomplished and sacrificed so that future generations can benefit. -- G.S.
From the Publisher
The research and writing of PERSISTENT PILGRIM was ten years in the making and was released November 1997. Permission has been given by The First Church of Christ, Scientist, for use of quoted materials from The Mother Church Archives, including excerpts never before published.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perceptive and affectionate,
By A Customer
This review is from: Persistent Pilgrim: The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Hardcover)
This fairly short biography of Mary Baker Eddy gives a fuller and deeper appreciation of her character than even Robert Peel's three volume work. Nenneman relates the events of her life in a way that throws real light on the way Christian Science itself informed her actions and gradually developed her perceptions. The reader may still want to turn to Peel's work for detailed analysis but this well-documented book is the very best place to start a study of this religious figure. It reminds one of Edmund Morris' Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. Real feeling for the subject pervades every page.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful perspective,
By M.A. (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Persistent Pilgrim: The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Hardcover)
This book provided me with a wonderful perspective on Mary Baker Eddy's healing gift and how she established it, against considerable odds, as a system, supported by a church and a publishing house, which remains available for personal study through her book, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures.
2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A pedestrian volume,
By A Customer
This review is from: Persistent Pilgrim: The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Hardcover)
Having read a good number of biographies on Mary Baker Eddy, I found this particular volume to be well-intended but ineffective. About 95% of Nennemann's book has already been covered, repeatedly in some cases and in more detail, by other books; but the little new light he throws on the subject is interesting (particularly Eddy's discomfort with Christian Science promoting itself in proximity to Eastern religions and Spiritualism). The author seems to have genuine respect and affection for his subject, while presenting her in a non-idealized way --something to be appreciated; but the writing lacked style and content. Intending no great disrespect, whereas another reviewer mentioned the book kept him awake, I had exactly the reaction.
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