Customer Reviews

Raised in Captivity: A Memoir of a Life Long Churchaholic

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
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If you change the labels, the story is still the same. For many of us, McNair Wilson has painted (with great accuracy) our spiritual heritage (the good, the bad, the ugly, the ridiculous) with his vivid recollections of "life in captivity." It is, indeed, an irony that, while we were supposed to be learning the tenets of spiritual "freedom," many of us were acquiring emotional straighjackets in which to live out our spiritual "liberty." McNair Wilson shines his hilarious spotlight on this dark corner of our faith. It was of infinite value to me that he did not throw out the babies of grace and honor with the skewering bathwater. This book is a MUST READ for those who grew up in a culture of faith which did not celebrate creativity or non-conformity. You will see yourself/family/church on every page and be thankful for the freedom to recall,learn from and laugh at the past.

This book is a wonderful read. Warm and funny it will bring a smile to everyone who reads it and outright laughter to anyone who can still remember the words to all those Vacation Bible School songs they sang as children. This book will probably ruffle a few feathers but only those who enjoy having their feathers ruffled so they can squawk louder than the chicken next to them. Above all else, what comes through is McNair's love for his family, his church, his church family, and his creator. Buy it and read in the corner booth of your local coffee shop.

I've just started reading the book, so I can't comment on it. I have, however, met the author. He's an excellent speaker, so I'm sure the book will be just as entertaining.

McNair brings real insight into the life of churchianity in North America and does so with grace and humour. His writing gives real encouragement to those who share his background whatever flavour it may be and to those of us who came late to the evangelical party and wondered why there are so few games and balloons. Be yourself, Be Gods' and encourage others to do the same. Peace and cheers!

I guess another title to this book could be "The comedy of legalism." Filled with short humorous life stories of time spent in Christian prisons-oops! I meant churches, McNair illustrates the frailty of humans living under God's grace. Funny and relative I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been frustrated in the grips of Christiandom.

Bethany K. Scanlon
Author of Where's my mate? and Born of the Spirit

This book offers a funny way to remember growing up in church. McNair's family dealt with the frustrations that come with an active-church life with humor, a method we could all use a little more! My only complaint was that McNair painted himself and his family as the heros at first, and everybody else was always in the wrong. Eventually though, he admitted to his family's mistakes, which made them seem very real and personal. I think this book would be great for anyone who is carrying around bad memories from a childhood spent in church, especially those who have left. It is also a very encouraging book for artists of all kinds. I found it a little pricey, but still worth the extra dollars.