Soul among Lions: Musings of a Bootleg Preacher [Hardcover]

Will D. Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Farmer, writer, and preacher-at-large for more than half a century, master storyteller Will Campbell offers a collection of thirty classic meditations challenging readers toward a more conscientious faith. With the soul of a true satirist, Campbell combines Scripture and homespun humor in a deceptively simple style that belies the seriousness of his intent: to deflate the pompous, indict the hypocritical, and expose the self-righteous.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Will D. Campbell is a writer, preacher, farmer, and social activist. He is the author of numerous books and winner of both the Christopher Award and the Lillian Smith Book Award.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 63 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664221300
• ISBN-13: 978-0664221300
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,298,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle reminder that we are all in the same family., May 15, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Grace E. Henderson) (Helena, AR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul among Lions: Musings of a Bootleg Preacher (Hardcover)

With a gentle poetic nudge, Campbell reminds us that we are all in the same family, that we humans need each other as much as we need to get on with the business of forgiving.This book of short essays that Campbell calls "musings" (and that can be read in less than an hour) asks questions about human frailties and pretenses with love and acceptance and wit. A Southerner of courage and conscience and keen intelligence, Campbell wonders why the Fannye Browns who quietly go about doing good for others are forgotten while the Trent Lotts and Jerry Falwells seem to go loudly about doing good for self. Campbell muses that the national angst about homelessness can be assuaged if each church congregation takes just one homeless person into its care. He wonders about the motives of the Christian Coalition and simply asks that we look beneath the surface to find our common humanity. "Soul Among Lions" will give moral courage to the reflective reader.This thought-provoking book is the sort to purchase by the dozen to send as gifts to friends and one's elected officials.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from Brother Will, July 24, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: Soul among Lions: Musings of a Bootleg Preacher (Hardcover)

Will D. Campbell, "bootleg preacher" to the unwashed and unlovable,has penned another book of wonder. Brother to a Dragonfly is viewed a modern classic[as it is}.Soul among Lions is a worthy cousin. Brother Will has stayed busy, stirring up a hornets nest wherever he can, placing a well intentioned burr in the saddle of the powerful. The short, wonderful essays are a goldmine for the comitted christian{though, of course, that statement covers an awful lot of ground}.Read Brother will, then look at yourself. If you are not challenged,read it again. To comfort the powerless and make the powered uncomfortable, and to do it with wit, and poetry.Quite a book, quite a human being.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Intro, May 21, 2006

By 

Juke Jar (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul among Lions: Musings of a Bootleg Preacher (Hardcover)

Soul Among Lions is a a wonderful tidbit to introduce the wit, wisdom, prophecy, profanity, and other gems attached to the genius of Will Campbell. The readings are indeed short and crisp--and powerful. My suggestion is to read slowly and chew the cud carefully--you can bet Mr. campbell never utters a word he hasn't savored first.

There are longer and thicker books among the author's impresive canon, and each is worth the journey, but Soul Among Lions sheds a little light on why such a diverse cast of characters, from Thomas Merton to Waylon Jennings and various points in between, have sought out this particular "Bootleg Preacher," sat and watched him whittle down a cedar stick, and perhaps muse a little here and there.

And it is just a taste, but if it stirs your appetite--and it most likely will--then there are other Campbell books waiting to be devoured.