Joshua and the City (The Joshua Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "A CRISP AUTUMN breeze swept across Broadway, churning dust and debris into tiny tornadoes..." (more)
Key Phrases: Senator Moynihan, Son of God, Anna Mae (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The effect of the eponymous hero on a New York inner-city neighborhood is the subject of this latest in Girzone's (Never Alone) inspirational series. Gentle, mysterious Joshua is propositioned by a young runaway turned prostitute. When her pimp muscles in, Joshua brings him to his knees, promising the young woman he'll never bother her again. He also heals the next person they encounter, a wealthy woman troubled by depression; Girzone would have us believe that this affluent woman is the prostitute's loyal friend and regular picnic companion! Then Joshua meets the woman's generous husband, some confused black youths and their single mother and several others, all of whom he impresses with his kindliness and charity. Obviously Jesus come again, he heals, ministers, inspires and even casts out devils. Because the message of his ministry is uplifting, it is all the more unfortunate that the vehicle is so flawed. Girzone's prose is devoid of imagination or drama, the style is clumsy, the dialogue pathetically false and the plot predictable. The cardboard characters simply represent society's ills. Though the flaws are almost enough to bury the lesson, the message does shine through the pedestrian telling. Drawings not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

In the fourth book in the series, the beloved protagonist of the inspirational best-seller Joshua confronts the needs and injustices that face the residents of an anonymous city, as they await a visit from God. Reprint.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Image (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385485697
• ISBN-13: 978-0385485692
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #379,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please don't miss the point!!!, September 2, 1998

By A Customer

In reading some of the other reviews about the "Joshua" books, I was dismayed to see people commenting on grammatical errors and the "lack" of technical expertise in some of the characters.Don't you realize that the points of the story are to love,forgive, help,heal, and respect each other? This is not a series that means to slander anyone's belief in organized religion but only tries to teach the message that sometimes the rules and regulations aren't enough to comfort God's children when they need help and understanding. If the people of the world would take care of each other and share the gifts that God has given, maybe we wouldn't have the problems that we do. And if the only faults some can find with this message are grammatical ones, maybe some are looking too hard for those faults!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Girzone does it again!!!, August 7, 1998

By A Customer

I have read the entire series of Joshua and found this to be as inspiring as the rest. Father Girzone brings wonderful insight into what Jesus's original message was for all of us. He shows us that so much of what divides us as a nation and a world are barriers, such as religious denominations and practices and beliefs created by man to control man. If we would look at Jesus's teachings and apply them to our everyday lives so much of the pain and suffering and problems we all face would get resolved or not exist at all. As Joshua shows us we make things more difficult than what they need to be. Greed and selfishness are the rule today and our young people are learning those lessons well. Girzone makes you stop and consider how would God see my behavior or attitude right now. He makes you think about how the world would view Christ if he did come back now and live as he did centuries ago, simply and selflessly. This author makes Christ and his teachings almost toucha! ble. I hope there will be more in the series. I know I look at the world differently now because of the way Father Girzone has presented looked into the heart of man and of our Father.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, yet inspiring., October 19, 1998

By A Customer

I have read the entire Joshua series and can say that, while not terribly cerebral, they give me what few other books can - HOPE! Jesus returns to earth and begins his ministry simply - one person at a time.

It makes me wonder how I would react if I encountered him. I can only pray that my actions would be welcoming and loving.