Through Fire & Water: An Overview of Mennonite History

Rating:
Summary: A Mixed Blessing
Review: Having just completed "Through Fire & Water," I am left with mixed feelings. The authors tell the story of Anabaptists and Mennonites. The book seems relatively complete in that it identifies the European origins of "rebaptizers" and traces their migration across Europe, to America and Russia, and around the world. The book is filled with interesting vignettes and anecdotes that help make the story quite interesting. In fact, the entire book is composed of vignettes assembled into a narrative that becomes increasingly coherent as the book progresses. There are no long or excessively detailed stories that might cause you to lose interest.

In essence, this book appears ideally suited for a high school audience that is learning about Christian history. Those who do not spend much time reading, or have little interest in reading, should also find the book quite enjoyable. This is an easy and informative read, and the book tells an important story.

Those looking for a more substantial narrative or more thorough research might prefer to begin with other texts. The opening chapters are so broad that no coherent narrative emerges. Throughout the book, only a minimal amount of research is used to support the vignettes. The prose is also very basic and straight ahead.

That said, I do feel that "Through Fire & Water" presents a good introduction to Mennonite history. I am glad I took the time to read this text. If you are looking for an entertaining an accesible introduction to Mennonite history, then I think you too will be glad you selected this book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read and history
Review: Having just completed "Through Fire & Water," I am left with mixed feelings. The authors tell the story of Anabaptists and Mennonites. The book seems relatively complete in that it identifies the European origins of "rebaptizers" and traces their migration across Europe, to America and Russia, and around the world. The book is filled with interesting vignettes and anecdotes that help make the story quite interesting. In fact, the entire book is composed of vignettes assembled into a narrative that becomes increasingly coherent as the book progresses. There are no long or excessively detailed stories that might cause you to lose interest.

In essence, this book appears ideally suited for a high school audience that is learning about Christian history. Those who do not spend much time reading, or have little interest in reading, should also find the book quite enjoyable. This is an easy and informative read, and the book tells an important story.

Those looking for a more substantial narrative or more thorough research might prefer to begin with other texts. The opening chapters are so broad that no coherent narrative emerges. Throughout the book, only a minimal amount of research is used to support the vignettes. The prose is also very basic and straight ahead.

That said, I do feel that "Through Fire & Water" presents a good introduction to Mennonite history. I am glad I took the time to read this text. If you are looking for an entertaining an accesible introduction to Mennonite history, then I think you too will be glad you selected this book.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for every Christian
Review: I came into contact with this book while preparing a speech for a class I was taking at James Madison University. Expecting it to be just another laborious history text, I found myself immediately surprised and couldn't put the book down!

Through Fire and Water taught me several things about the Christian faith I never knew. And the sacrifices of persons profiled in the book, were both humbling and inspiring.

No matter what your denominational influence, this is a must read for every Christian!

Rating:
Summary: Good Beginning, Lacking End
Review: The book is an easy read, informative, and comprehensive. The strongest point of the book is the beginning up through the 1800s. However the 20th century is desperately lacking. The authors seemed as if they did not want to touch on the conservative movement starting at the beginning of the 20th century and continuing until now. This was an essential part of Mennonite history in North America whether the reader has sympathies for the movement or not. The authors ignored this for one reason or another leaving readers who are familiar with plain Mennonites moreso than main-stream Mennonites with more questions than when they first picked up the book.

I'd recommend Stephen Scott's An Introduction to Old Order and Conservative Mennonite Groups as a beginnier's guide to filling in the gaps this book made in Mennonite history.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read and history
Review: This book does not just cover early Mennonite/Anabaptist roots it covers early church roots as well.

Written in a style that is easy to read and digest. It is an easy read and very informative!