Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War

Battlefields And Blessings

by Jane Hampton Cook

- The book features 365 devotionals, one for each day of the year. - Each devotional features a 400-450-word story, a relevant scripture, and an application-oriented sentence prayer. - Each week highlights five stories that chronicle the Revolutionary War, followed by two weekend features called Weekend Reflection and Sabbath Rest. Weekend Reflection takes a modern-day twist on a topic, such as contentment and life purpose, presented in the preceding stories. Sabbath Rest highlights a sermon from the Revolutionary era. These 52 meaty messages show how scripture is as alive today as it was during America's founding. These sermons also reveal the spiritual struggle facing the patriots as they decided to pursue independence, take up arms, and overthrow their government. - The devotionals come alive through the viewpoints of the Revolution's key players, such as George Washington, King George III, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Nathanael Greene, Henry Knox, and Benjamin Franklin. Excerpts from their original manuscripts, letters, and speeches give the book authenticity and accuracy. Unlike many books with historical subjects, this devotional incorporates faith as an important element in the decisions and emotions of these heroes and heroines. It will also show the life purpose of the patriots. - The themes presented in the book transcend generations, making the book relevant to modern day readers who also struggle with topics such as loneliness, contentment, purpose, fear, safety, God's will, jealousy, rivalry, cooperation, and disappointment. - Because the stories chronicle America's Revolutionary War and cover more than two decades, the book does not correspond to seasons and holidays. As a result, readers may begin the book any time during the year. The stories may be so captivating for some readers that they may read the book from "cover to cover." - As readers consider the meaning of the American Revolution, they may also experience a revolution in their own hearts, one devotional at a time.

Genres: History, Religion, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

530 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2007

About the author

Jane Hampton Cook makes history relevant to news, politics, current events, and modern life. She is the award-winning author of nine books, including her newest The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 (2016), America’s Star-Spangled Story (Aug. 2014) and Pulitzer-nominated American Phoenix (Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins, 2013), which brings to life the international side of the War of 1812 through the diplomacy of John Quincy and Louisa Adams. A contributor to The Hill, national media commentator and former White House webmaster, Jane is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel and other television and radio outlets. She also will be featured on the History Channel’s sister network, H2, on United Stuff of America in early summer 2014. Launching her passion for history and writing through a research fellowship from the Organization of American Historians and White House Historical Association in 2003, Jane and her husband, Dr. John Kim Cook, live with their children in the Washington DC area in Fairfax, Virginia.

Reviews

[Rebecca Graf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a great book that expertly combines Christianity and history from the American Revolution, you might have found it. Jane Hampton Cook’s Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War is a unique publication that you will be thrilled to own.

This book is laid out to cover every day of the year with excerpts from various contemporaries of the American Revolution. Quotes from those on both sides of the Ocean are used to explore the period and the test of faith. Each Sunday’s page comes from a minister or religious text of the time and explores Christianity during the trials and tribulations of the war period.

There are several things that make this a great book to have.
• It is an ebook and can be taken anywhere.
• Each ‘lesson’ is short and not overly wordy. They get straight to the point.
• It uses primary sources in showing how faith was exercised during the period.
• There is a ‘lesson’ for every day of the year.
• It has an extensive bibliography you can use for further study and research.

These are not fluff lessons. They are deep and can be great launching pads for worthwhile discussions.

Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher without expectation of a positive review.

[Sandra Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'm just spoiled by some of the better devotionals I've read, but this seemed very "light" in that category. A story, a one or two sentence "prayer" and a verse (or sometimes just a fraction of a verse!) for each day. If we ate food like that, we'd starve, and if that is the extent of your "devotions", you'll starve spiritually. The stories were great, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. The verses I had a problem with. The whole point of this book seems to be to teach the reader spiritual things through the lives of our forefathers. When a verse is quoted within the story, the KJV is used, but the verse at the end of each "devotion" is NIV. So, while you're telling me that their lives and experiences are good enough to help my daily life and walk with the Lord, you're also telling me that their Bible wasn't good enough for me today? Sorry, but I took issue with that. The good, christian history is the only thing that pushed this to 3 stars.

I was given this to read and review by AMG Publishers through NetGalley.com. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathy Penrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little over 2 years to complete reading of this devotional. I just got bogged down in too many devotional books so I only read this one every other week or so. The stories were short and easy to read. I agree with the other reviewers that the devotional aspect was rather light weight. However, for me the value of this book lay in the introduction of many lesser known participants of the revolutionary process and the motivation it gave me to seek out their biographies and writings for future reading and study. This book also brought out the miraculous beginnings of America; battles that should never have been won, escapes that seemed utterly impossible and and enemies plans brought to light at just the right time. It also helped me realize how much those who participated sacrificed to bring about this nation. I doubt whether we would find such dedication to any cause today. The stories of our founding fathers and others in this book have produced in me a profound respect for them and what they accomplished.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great way to spend your devotional time on a daily basis. You learn about the history of our country and how our Founding Fathers felt about the Christian religion. You also get a daily scripture reading that pertains to the founding of our country. What better way to spend your daily devotional time...

[Lowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I had hoped. The WWII title in this series is much better. This writer's attempts at application are often too forced. The work at times seems to have an agenda of conservative revisionism even though I expect some of that with this sort of work. One of her main sources seems to be History Channel programming.

[Mhines11 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, from a historical point of view. Each day had interesting stories about even some of the lesser known heroes. As a devotional book it was very light, theologically, not deep at all. Unfortunately, it left me unchallenged.

[Wesley]

Thanks, Dad!

[Martha]

I want the Kindle Edition, which is available.