The 13th Resolution

by Charles Monroe Sheldon

Sheldon's classic story is now available again in this digital-first edition, retelling the story of James Blaisdell and his family, as they live out their faith and life in Kansas.

Genres: Fiction, Ebooks, Christian Living, Christianity

Hardcover

First published December 10, 2012

About the author

Charles Monroe Sheldon was an American minister in the Congregational churches and leader of the Social Gospel movement.

His novel, In His Steps, introduced the principle of "What Would Jesus Do?" which articulated an approach to Christian theology that became popular at the turn of the 20th Century and had a revival almost one hundred years later.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was a great idea, this was like reading the opening chapter and the last chapter of a book and skipping the middle part. Not very satisfying and simply a moral lesson.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Oh, there was a happy family
In Eden years ago,
It hadn’t any past, for there wasn’t any, you know;
It hadn’t any neighbors,
To bother it at all,
And every day was summer
Until there was a fall;
It celebrated New Year’s
With jollity and fun,
And there wasn’t another family in all the world
As happy as this one.
Oh, this family in Eden
Wasn’t anybody’s fool,
But they never went to college
For there wasn’t any school;
And it never had to worry
Over any income tax
For there wasn’t any income
To supply the country’s lacks.
And it might have been all summer
If it hadn’t been for fall,
For of all the families living
’Twas the happiest of all.”


THE THIRTEENTH RESOLUTION
By Charles M. Sheldon
Published by David C Cook

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the book "In His Steps" when I read it in college, which is Sheldon's best-known work. This one, while clever in some ways, came across to me as stilted and contrived. Some of that is probably due to the change in language and expressions.

The main thing I did not like about the book was that it promoted, whether self-consciously or not, a Christian religion of legalism and appearance of righteousness. The resolutions were about behavior and how things would look to others, rather than heart change.

The little book can be read easily in part of an evening.

[Tami Boesiger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick read made me wish for simpler times, while wondering if it is a matter of how I order my life. I found the jump in one year somewhat frustrating because we really didn't get to see how the resolutions were acted upon.

[Lori Henrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this brief look at what can happen if you put your mind to making a difference.

[Soad · Rating 5 out of 5]

short old fashion values beautiful way of teaching through example.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too sugary. Very short and I don't do well with short stories. Not like In His Steps.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super Short read... feels like so much is missing to this story. If it had been longer, it could have been ever so much better. If it's free, maybe check it out... otherwise, pass!

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little short story about what's important in life. Worth a read.

[Larik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The goals we make at the beginning of each year can affect our life and those around us beyond imaginable. Really thought-provoking short story.

[Nancy DeValve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Charles Sheldon's writing style in this short little book. The basic premise is that as the lead character keeps his resolutions, those around him also change. I think that our actions definitely have a ripple effect on others, but I also don't believe we can make the world a perfect place just by being good. In other words, the premise is a little oversimplified, I believe.