Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes: Unmasking the Real You (TH1NK) [Paperback]

Brennan Manning (Author), James H Hancock (Author), The Navigators (Author)

Book Description

Series: Think | Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Be who God made you to be. Adapted for teens and students from Brennan Manning’s best-seller Abba’s Child, this book will help you see how God’s grace sets us free to be who we really are. No more games, no acts, no masks.

Discover your identity in Christ and be set free.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

POSERS = FAKERS = WANNABES {design element - some kind of down arrow} n: a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not. n: one who fakes something. n: one who imitates the behavior, customs, or dress of an admired person or group. Don't be like them. Be who God made you to be. Taken from Brennan Manning’s best-seller, Abba’s Child, this book will help you see how God’s grace sets you free––free to be who you really are. No more games, no acts, no masks. Just yourselves, as you really are in Him.

About the Author

BRENNAN MANNING is a writer and speaker who leads spiritual retreats for people of all ages and backgrounds. He is the author numerous books, including the best-seller Abba's Child. A resident of New Orleans, he travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad to share the good news of the unconditional love of God.

JIM HANCOCK writes, produces videos, and tells stories to groups of adolescents, youth workers, teachers, and parents on a regular basis. He lives by the ocean in San Diego with his wife, Susan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576834654
• ISBN-13: 978-1576834657
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Manning focuses on what's real, and what's an act., May 7, 2004

By 

Michael Erisman (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes: Unmasking the Real You (TH1NK) (Paperback)

If you have even a passing interest in Christianity, but struggle to know what to do with the often conflicting behaviors exhibited by many who claim to all be following the same basic belief system, then this book is an excellent look at what it could and should be. How is it that the message of the Gospel is often acted out on a stage for the benefit of our own ego?

Brennan Manning has an uncanny ability to sift through the surface, and dive straight into the places we often do not want to acknowledge exist within all of us. In this book he tackles the "image conscious" Christian, more concerned with how they look, than what they are doing. In it he exposes just how far off the message of love and peace we have often gone. With all of our masks, pettiness, vanity and ego we consume ourselves with, where is our focus on our true cause; to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves?

Of particular interest is how he manages to be blunt and direct in many very personal ways, yet all in his usual self effacing style which leaves one motivated not judged. When reading Manning, one is left with the overwhelming sense that they are simply in a conversation with someone who is speaking on their level. While I know a few too distracted with dogma and doctrine to understand his perspective, he writes about the very real struggle to let go of ego and image, and focus on what is really important. His looks into the problems of racism, homophobia, and neglect of the poor among Christians are especially powerful considering they contrast so much with loving and reaching out to others as Jesus did.

Although the editing and copy itself is at times a bit distracting with its multi-type fonts on every page, it does allow you to take bite sized bits of information and ponder the meaning behind it. Rarely have I stopped so many times while reading to reflect on my own issues. An excellent read and good insights!

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dripping with Wisdom, Solace, October 5, 2005

By 

P. McGrath "prmcgr" (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes: Unmasking the Real You (TH1NK) (Paperback)

This wonderful book reinforces the notion (absurd to many) that "God loves us exactly the way we are - but that he loves us too much to let us stay like this." A true shot in the arm for anyone seeking the truth about God and self, and wondering what's next in life.

Despite the disarming title, Manning has not written a "self-help" book, he's written about divine help, found through surrender and brokenness before God. Every page drips with trenchant observations, amusing anecdotes, quotes from notable thinkers and philosophers (Carl Jung among them) and quotes from the Bible (using the wonderfully direct and earthy translation from "The Message").

"Posers, Fakes & Wannabes" is so full of wisdom, humor, and "Big Ideas", I found myself savoring the opportunity to spend time with this book, reading, and rereading many passages, thinking about my own life and about God.

And, no, this book is not "heady stuff" for academics. Written in plain spoken prose, this book is appropriate for anyone, from teenagers to geezers.

A must-have for "the seekers" among us.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done adaptation of a great book, April 28, 2007

By 

J. Graham - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes: Unmasking the Real You (TH1NK) (Paperback)

"Abba's Child" is, in my opinion, the quintessential Brennan Manning. Though I have thoroughly enjoyed all that he has written. I have read and reread the book many times over as there is too much to process at first pass.

"Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes" is a student adaptation of "Abba's Child." While, in general, I am not a fan of audience adapted works, I had heard good things and purchased a copy to give away to a younger friend of mine. Of course I wanted to peruse it before giving it away and found myself reading it through, enthralled by the original content with new language. I found it to be equally as powerful-- not the least watered or dumbed down.

If you have read any other Manning, or if you are an avid reader and contemplative thinker, go ahead and buy "Abba's Child." But, regardless of who you are, "Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes" is a well done adaptation of a great book. I don't believe you will be disappointed.