Rating: 
Summary: insightful
Review: I liked the book overall, and I thought the author had a great deal of insight into one's calling and life's work. However I did not care for the author's writing style. I felt that some salient points in the book could have been made much more clearly, and that the book could do without some of the cryptic, incomplete references to historical British figures. I think the weight of the author's argument in these cases misses the American audience in particular, as the author seems to assume a higher level of familiarity with these characters than most readers possess.
Rating: 
Summary: Helped me find my Calling
Review: I read this book with a circle of friends as part of our 20 something men's group from church. Though some chapters are hard to read through, over all the message is clear. God made us all with unique strengths to be used in drawing ourselves closer to Him. Our God given calling is who we are, it is the purpose of our lives, and who He wants us to be. It is our only possible path to fulfillment. This fulfillment can only be reached when it is done for His glory alone. He is our one true audience and no one else. This book helped me discover what my calling in life is. Now I begin a new chapter in my life thanks to this influential book.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is NOT good
Review: I'm sure it was not his intention, but thru this book Os seems to think very highly of himself. Speaking of the background he came from, the people he knows, and even the words he uses to make him self seem smart, I found this to be very self promoting gibberish.
It is a very difficult read, since he is often trying to sound smart. The examples he uses are not relatable. Whenever he thinks he is saying something life changing, he puts it in italics. Os, buddy, it wasn't life changing.
Rating:
Summary: Captures the wholistic philosophy of God's call on the Xtian
Review: If you are looking for a "how-to" book you might be disappointed. Instead, Os Guiness gives us something much deeper, and so much better. He gives us the "Why" of The Call. Approaching his subject with the important understanding that all Christians are called by God to serve Him and the Body in some special way Guiness uses stories like a great mural to show how others in Christianity and outside have answered a "call" in their life and found meaning, purpose, joy and left their indelible mark on history. What I appreciated so much about the wonderfully written book is that Guiness uses story not only to put call in history but to call us to greater things. The book is not "dumbed down" to the modern reader like so many other Christian books, but instead he woos the reader to do the work of thoughtful reading and consideration. The book is laid out so that each chapter is a complete thought and should be digested one a day with questions at the end of each chapter to ponder. This book will be especially helpful for people at crossroads of life, career or at important life stages. Thank you Os!!!
Rating:
Summary: Captures the wholistic philosophy of God's call on the Xtian
Review: If you are looking for a "how-to" book you might be disappointed. Instead, Os Guiness gives us something much deeper, and so much better. He gives us the "Why" of The Call. Approaching his subject with the important understanding that all Christians are called by God to serve Him and the Body in some special way Guiness uses stories like a great mural to show how others in Christianity and outside have answered a "call" in their life and found meaning, purpose, joy and left their indelible mark on history. What I appreciated so much about the wonderfully written book is that Guiness uses story not only to put call in history but to call us to greater things. The book is not "dumbed down" to the modern reader like so many other Christian books, but instead he woos the reader to do the work of thoughtful reading and consideration. The book is laid out so that each chapter is a complete thought and should be digested one a day with questions at the end of each chapter to ponder. This book will be especially helpful for people at crossroads of life, career or at important life stages. Thank you Os!!!
Rating:
Summary: An eloquent treatment of Christian vocation.
Review: In his elegant and illustrative style, Os Guinness presents a substantive and practical introduction to the subject of Christian calling, or "vocation." By reclaiming the biblical concept of calling, asserts Guinness, man will combat the spiritual emptiness which marks so many human endeavors today. Guinness critiques both the classic sacred/secular distinction of historic Roman Catholicism as well as subsequent Protestant perversions of Christian vocation. Beautifully written and filled with many penetrating anecdotes and illustrations, The Call will offer helpful insights to those seeking to find and fulfill the central purpose of their lives. I have placed this book on the "recommended reading" list for my own congregation.
Rating:
Summary: Radical, challenging and inspiring
Review: More than any book I have read on the subject, The Call recognizes the radical nature of Christianity and challenges and inspires readers to not settle for anything less. Mr. Guinness' main influences in thinking and writing on the subject are Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Oswald Chambers, and so this book could also have been titled "The Cost of Discipleship" or "My Utmost for His Highest". This book does not give trite how-to's on what it means to be a follower of Christ, but rather examines the Biblical mandate to surrender ourselves to God's call in all aspects of our lives: in everything we do, in all that we own, and in who we are, all the time. Mr. Guinness has obviously spent years thinking about and studying this subject (including prayerfully considering his own call), so the book is written on a very personal level. Mr. Guinness also peppers each chapter with relevant life stories from historical, literary and artistic figures to illustrate his points and show in what ways "the rubber meets the road". Finally, I appreciate his suggestion to read the book as a devotional - one chapter a day, instead of huge chunks at a time. This ensures enough time for the reader to reflect on the profound points made in each chapter. When I finished reading this book, I decided I need to read it every few years. This book should be a classic!
Rating:
Summary: The Mystery of Calling
Review: Not that calling is really a mystery, but due to its personal nature, it often seems mysterious to us, and there's no way of saying "I have found my calling." Calling is ongoing and dynamic, an exciting journey on the way home, and Os Guinness manages to convey this excitement and its radical nature with examples out of lives as diverse as human nature. With precise and logical writing he exposes misconceptions and prejudices, thereby liberating the mind and freeing it from all the preconceived notions that so easily entangle the feet of us would-be pilgrims. Unfortunately, I do not have the mind of Dr. Guinness, and I've already forgotten most of the subtler points, even though I didn't rush my way through the book. However, the reflections in "The Call" are timeless enough to stand repeated reading, and I will certainly return to this thought-provoking and revealing book on many an occasion.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on the Christian life available today!
Review: Os Guiness has captured the essence of the Christian life. It is centered upon the call to live in all ways to the glory of God. I highly recommend this book to every Christian. This book will ring true to your heart because it rings true to biblical truth. In an age when there is so much to read that simply does not edify, this book stands at the top of my list of recommended reading! I can't wait to read it again!
Rating:
Summary: Every chapter challenged and inspired.
Review: Os Guinness does an excellent job weaving examples of individual lives and truth in such a way that the reader not only understands God's call to Himself, but longs to sense and live it. My own copy is dog-eared, underlined and annotated with Scriptural references which obviously served as the springboard for his principles. He spurred me to read more Christian biographies, examine my commitments in light of God's call and look at the world from God's perspective. I was truly saddened to reach the end.
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