More Than Words: Contemporary Writers on the Works That Shaped Them

By Philip Yancey

Book Overview

Good books inspire the imagination, jump-start creativity, and kindle new ideas. So it's no surprise that for these twenty-one members of the Chrysostom Society (a renowned contemporary Christian writers' group) the works of classic literary masters have played an influential role in shaping their writing.In this revised and updated volume of Reality and the Vision, which includes five new chapters, best-selling authors Philip Yancey and James Calvin Schaap ask the question, "Who has helped form you as a writer of faith?" The answers they found are surprising, captivating, and instructive: \u2022Richard Foster explains how reading from the ancient devotional masters helped him to manage a frenetic modern schedule. \u2022Walter Wangerin Jr. shares how the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales helped him make sense of his world. \u2022Virginia Stem Owens confesses that S\u00f8ren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher famous for his melancholy, helped her cope with a family crisis.\u2022Eugene Peterson tells how he became a better pastor by scheduling regular appointments with the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky. A short reading guide at the end of each chapter serves as an invitation to explore these classic works further. More Than Words is a delightful way to deepen an appreciation of fine literature and a thoughtful gift for those who love good books.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080106404X
• ISBN13: 9780801064043
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.0" x 6.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Great Writers that Shaped Authors

What makes a great writer or even a good one is to have a relationship in great writing. It has the power to stimulate the imagination, generate creativity and help us make sense of the world around us. From the pages of this book are some of the most fascinating essays of 21 popular Christian authors share then stories of how they were influenced by literary masters and thier works. These intimate insights into the works of J.R.R. Tolkein influenced Stephen R. Lawhead by his power to move readers through his great epic of 'The Ring.' Eugene H. Peterson, when at the most crucial time in his life found Fyodor Dostoevsky's passion for God made a difference in his life. By reading the story of Walter Wangerin Jr's favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales helped him deal with life in a troubled family.Philip Yancey, compiler of the book tells his story how John Donne taught him how he thought about pain. Yancey has written, 'The Jesus I Never Knew,' 'When Is God When It Hurts,' 'Disappointment with God,' 'What's So Amazing About Grace,' and 'Soul Survivor.' Yep, this guy knows about the subject! James Calvin Schaap, editor of the book, learns from Sherwood Anderson's, 'Winesburg' that no matter what you hometown's like, you can always be redeemed in it's serenity of life and the people. Schaap has written, 'Things Hoped For, Things Not Seen,' 'Paternity,' 'Romey's Place,' and 'The Secrets of Barneveld Calvary.' Others I need to mention are those influential works of Henri Nouwen, Flannery O'Connor, Charles Dickens, Ray Bradbury, T. S. Eliot have not only inspired the ideas the authors telling their stories, but I'm sure has touched everyone in some way to open up new visions in their own lives. I really enjoyed this book immensely. It's like you're sitting in on a great conversation. After each story there is a short reading guide at the end to invite you to explore these classic works in depth. I find this to help any writer or anyone for that matter in their quest to being a better person and even a better writer.