Customer Reviews

The Way Back to Mayberry: Lessons from a Simpler Time

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a feel-good approach to a TV phenomenon that is still delighting audiences thirty years later. Fann has hit on one of the reasons for the show's success: each episode contains moral truths and spiritual guidelines intricately woven into the storyline, and these are just as applicable to today's sophisticated, special effects-bombarded viewers as they were to the technicolor-challenged children of the sixties. Fann devotes a separate chapter to thirty of his favorite episodes. He gives a brief synopsis of the events, and then he presents parallel biblical principles that he feels are being showcased. He often peppers his writing with anecdotes from his own experience, and many of these have a "Chicken Soup" kind of approach. Because each chapter is self-sufficient, the book can be read incrementally--a chapter at a time, or it can be enjoyed in its entirety for those who have larger blocks of leisure time available. Each chapter begins with a correlating verse from scripture. For those teaching Andy Griffith Bible studies, this book is a wonderful companion for use in lesson preparation.

Being a huge Andy Griffith fan, I picked this book up the other day. Don't know what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised. Any Andy fan can tell you that the show was full of good, heart-warming stories, but I had never thought of the show in the terms presented by the author. To clarify, this book is not filled with epsisode trivia, or preachy sermon topics. However, it does present unique thoughts and observations regarding the timeless themes of Mayberry from a personal perspective. In almost every chapter, the author relates a personal story that will make you laugh, cry, or just reflect on simpler pace of life - kind of like The Andy Griffith Show used to do! If you have even a casual appreciation of the "Old Griffith Show", you will enjoy this book.

Heartwarming book on the wonderful lessons from Mayberry. Author presents many personal stories and reflections from the classic TV show - a very satisfying read. No Andy Griffith collection is complete without this volume!

It's a good book about a good TV program that aired in a good time. There are lots of good stories about basically good people learning some good lessons to live by. I grew up during the Mayberry RFD/Andy Griffith Show era. I think I've seen nearly every episode. It was a good program.
Fann stirred up ltos of memories in recounting many episodes of the TV program. Using various characters and situations, he draws analogies and lessons for life and how to live a good, decent, moral life. This is not a bad book.
However, I missed the gospel in The Way Back To Mayberry. God is spoken of (more in terms of His desire for us to live a good life); Christ is mentioned (more in terms of the teachings for living), but the fact of Christ's coming to die for the sins of man so we might live a life pleasing to God is sadly almost entirely missing. Perhaps it was implied; but it's troubling to only imply the gospel when stressing the desirability of living a simple and good life - back in Mayberry. A mature Christian will find this of some sentimental value, but too shallow for any real impact. A young Christian might enjoy the simplicity portrayed, giving a goal to shoot for, but no real help in how to actually live this way - other than to "go back to Mayberry." I would even consider it a dangerous book in the hands of unbelievers. They are going to be told "God smiles on Mayberry. Live like they did on a TV show and you'll be okay in My eyes." They will not be told, even in the midst of what are clearly decent moral principles - you need to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have a difficult time recommending this book for serious readers. If you just want a fond trip down memory lane, however, read and enjoy. It does a good job of that.</div>

For any Christian Mayberry fan, this book to a delight. I used the book as a daily devotional, hoping it would never end. Every fan quickly recalls the episode being featured, then Joey Fann does an excellent job of extracting a wonderful Christian message from it.

A very calming read if you are stressed. I borrowed it from the library, and once I read it I had to own it. Gives you insight into the moral lessons of some of the classic episodes, using lessons from the bible and reflections of a simpler era. Can guide you through some tough times, as it did me.

This is great review of all the shows and characters. It brings out the moral lessons of the show. Many churches have used it as a study book.

Most of us have grown up at some point in time watching The Andy Griffith Show or have at least heard about it. Some of us, like myself, are still searching for their version of Mayberry, a town where people truly care about one another, family values are more important than the gossip, and where life just seems a whole lot more simple.

Joey Fann, is the author of a new book entitled, The Way Back To Mayberry: Lessons from A Simpler Time, a unique look into the episodes of the classic Andy Griffith show that when mirrored with scripture from the Bible, gives us a modern day look at just how to apply those to our lives. Here are just a few of the tidbit's I gleaned much wisdom from:

"I've learned that bad things will happen to us in this life, but the issue is not the tragedy itself; it's how we respond. To some extent, we do have a choice. We can choose to get bitter or to get better. This is from an episode "Andy Forecloses", and relates to an episode in which Lester Scobey has fallen on hard times and Andy is asked by the rental manager to evict the family. Seems like a life lesson we can all learn from even today. The scripture reference to this particular chapter is from Matthew 17:20 "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Each chapter is dedicated to a specific episode that opens first with Biblical Scripture. Perhaps it's one you've read for quite some time, but when placed next to an episode from the Andy Griffith Show, you can see how it can be taken quite literally. Along with the chapter comes the authors own personal experience in how this has worked in his own life and what he has taken away from it.

These episodes can still be found on YouTube for free but the book is now used in Bible Study's in churches all over to teach the valuable lessons we can all learn from. Even reading this last night, I found myself watching the show and seeing how the author ties it all together so well. Even my husband and I laughed watching the simplicity of the characters on the show, from fun-loving Barney Fiff, to the compassionate sheriff Andy who always had the love for his fellow man close at hand, something we can all learn from even today.

I received this book compliments of B & H Publishing Group courtesy of Net Galley for my honest review and really loved the wholesome message that is contained in each chapter along with pictures of the characters we've have come to love and adore from the show. This really would make a great Bible Study for small groups and even teens who are getting an opportunity to see these episodes with new eyes in this generation. I rate this book a family-filled 5 out of 5 stars! For those of you that love television with a great message, this book is the perfect companion.

"The Way Back To Mayberry--Lessons From A Simpler Time" by Joey Fann is a nostalgic trip back to the "Andy Griffith Show" from the 60s, but with lessons we can learn from 30 different episodes to apply to our life today. The author, Joey Fann, uses specific episodes to illustrate a point and take it further to reflect on how God can be at work in similar situations in our lives today by sharing from his own experiences. Each episode is connected to some scripture which the author has included to give each lesson a spiritual application. Some churches throughout the country have used Finding "The Way Back To Mayberry" as material for informal Bible classes. For those unfamiliar with the show, Mayberry is a small, quiet town and Andy is the Sheriff. The show was just about everyday life and experiences that happened in the small town and in the lives of the different characters. Andy's son, Opie, is often the one to learn the lessons, but also is the one who is first to "get" it.

The chapters are short so this could easily be used as a family devotional book. This was a fun read for me because I used to watch the show. Goober, the auto mechanic in the show, wrote the foreword. I think anyone who enjoyed the "Andy Griffith Show" would like The Way Back To Mayberry--Lessons From A Simpler Time and those who haven't seen the show would find this book wholesome and inspirational.

The Andy Griffith Show is a classic, and for more than one reason. "The Way Back to Mayberry: Lessons from a Simpler Time" looks at the Andy Griffith show and the lessons that the show and its history has inspired on fans of the show all these years later. Taking a good discussion of the show enhanced with thirty two photos from the show and cast, "The Way Back to Mayberry" is an amusing adventure of the the charm of the Andy Griffith show, not commonly seen in today's television.