Book Review: Heart. Mind. Soul. Strength by Andrew T. Le Peau and Linda Doll

About the Book:

"Some publishers tell you what to believe. Other publishers tell you what you already believe. But InterVarsity Press helps you to believe." -J. I. Packer

The history of evangelicalism cannot be understood apart from the authors and books that shaped it. Over the past century, leading figures such as pastor-scholar John Stott, apologist James W. Sire, evangelist Rebecca Manley Pippert and spiritual formation writer Eugene Peterson helped generations of readers to think more biblically and engage the world around them. For many who take their Christianity seriously, books that equip them for a life of faith have frequently come from one influential publisher: InterVarsity Press.

Andy Le Peau and Linda Doll provide a narrative history of InterVarsity Press, from its origins as the literature division of a campus ministry to its place as a prominent Christian publishing house. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at the stories, people, and events that made IVP what it is today. Recording good times and bad, celebrations and challenges, they place IVP in its historical context and demonstrate its contribution to the academy, church and world.

In honor of IVP's seventy-fifth anniversary, senior editor Al Hsu has updated this edition with new content, bringing the story up to 2022 and including stories about contemporary authors such as Esau McCaulley and Tish Harrison Warren. As IVP continues to adapt to changes in publishing and the global context, the mission of publishing thoughtful Christian books has not changed. IVP stands as a model of integrative Christianity for the whole person—heart, soul, mind and strength.

Read an excerpt from Heart. Mind. Soul. Strength. on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

Call me crazy, but reading Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength.: A Narrative History of InterVarsity Press, 1947-2002 made me want to work at IVPress someday. From its humble start in the mid-twentieth century to its current work as a significant Christian publisher, this history of IVP fascinated me.

Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. gave a comprehensive exploration of IVPress: who held what position, what authors were acquired, how sales were made, how departments functioned, when buildings were purchased, etc. These historical facts were expertly integrated with personal anecdotes, office camaraderie tales, and behind-the scenes looks to create an engaging and informative narrative. I thought it notable that the book discussed poor decisions and publishing missteps. I sometimes struggled to keep all the names straight, but it did get easier as I progressed through the book.

I deeply appreciated the descriptions of IVP’s ethos. The authors explained that IVP’s stance has always been to engage with culture rather than to avoid it or stand against it. For example, in a time when some church communities warned against higher education, IVP embraced academia. This mindset influenced publication decisions, but other factors such as being an ecumenical entity, affirming the gifts of women, and holding to egalitarianism also helped create IVP’s unique place in the Christian publishing market. Some would call IVP “progressive” or “liberal”, but the organization holds a high regard for the Scriptures and the Gospel that rivals any “conservative” publisher.

I thoroughly enjoyed Heart. Soul. Mind. Strength. by Andrew T. Le Peau and Linda Doll. Readers who have enjoyed many of IVP’s books or are interested in the publishing world will likely be the ideal audience for this book. Five stars!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau

About the Book:

Christianity Today 2020 Book of the Year Award, Culture and the Arts

Writing is not easy. But it can get better.

In this primer on nonfiction writing, Andrew Le Peau offers insights he has learned as a published author and an editor for over forty years, training, guiding, and cheering on hundreds of writers. Here are skills that writers can master—from finding strong openings and closings, to focusing on an audience, to creating a clear structure, to crafting a persuasive message.

With wide-ranging examples from fiction and nonfiction, Le Peau also demystifies aspects of art in writing such as creativity, tone, and metaphor. He considers strategies that can move writers toward fresher, more vital, and perhaps more beautiful expressions of the human condition.

One aspect of writing that rarely receives attention is who we are as writers and how writing itself changes us. Self-doubt, fear of criticism, downsides of success, questions of authority, and finding our voice are all a part of the exploration of our spirituality as writers found in these pages. Discover how the act of writing can affect our life in God.

Whether you're a veteran writer, an occasional practitioner, a publishing professional, or a student just starting to explore such skills, Le Peau's wit and wisdom can speed you on your way.

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My Thoughts:

Write Better by Andrew T. Le Peau offers writers a practical handbook for producing any type of nonfiction. My niche is product reviews and I found beneficial instructions within these pages that I can use in future writings.

Write Better is divided into three parts which can be read in any order. Part one, The Craft of Writing, concentrated on grammar and rhetoric. Chapters four and five discussed persuasive writing and I wish every writer, especially bloggers and social media influencers, would read these two chapters. Society might be a better place if everyone practiced honesty and these guidelines presented about persuasion.

Part two, The Art of Writing, focused on creativity, beauty, and artistic choices. Part three, The Spirituality of Writing, dealt with writing as a life calling and how to steward the message. This last portion landed as my favorite because of its down-to-earth, spiritually balanced advice. Following the main chapters, a series of short, helpful appendixes discussed social media, co-writing, and more.

I recommend Write Better: A Lifelong Editor on Craft, Art, and Spirituality by Andrew T. Le Peau to any writer, but especially to Christians writing nonfiction. It has a permanent home on my bookcase as I expect to return to it many times in the future.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.