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The Last of the Giants: How Christ Came to the Lumberjacks
In its early years, Duluth was a gold mine for lumber barons. Men were employed as lumberjacks and worked like beasts, only to be tossed aside like used equipment when no longer needed. The grand forests were raped for their prime timber, the balance burned wastefully. The men were coarse and hard, but they had to be to survive. More than any other people that ever lived in our land, these old-time lumberjacks could truthfully say, No man cared for my soul. That is, until God sent three men to the great Northwoods of our country - Frank Higgins, John Sornberger, and Al Channer. These men blazed new trails of the Spirit and founded an empire for God. They reached a sector of humanity for which no spiritual work had ever been done before, storming the Northwoods with a consuming passion for Christ. And with that passion, they also brought a heart as big as all outdoors, a love for men that burned like a flame, and a desperate desire to see these men saved."
232 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 6, 2022
I loved this book. Packed with action and adventure, the personal stories of the “sky pilots” both challenged and moved me.
These were a different breed, but God used them mightily.
Go get this book and read it!
These were a different breed, but God used them mightily.
Go get this book and read it!
July 28, 2021
What an amazing book. "Last of the Giants," written in 1948 with this edition published in 2015, chronicles the evangelical outreach of three men to the lumberjacks of northern Minnesota in the first half of the 20th century. The men -- Frank Higgins, John Sornberger and Al Channer -- came to be known as "Sky Pilots" for reasons that have nothing to do with aviation. (The book explains the origin of the term.)
To this day, lumberjacks are a breed apart, but in those days they were rough-hewn men working incredibly hard for long hours while existing in camps that were as rough as they were for little pay. When they got to town, many drank or gambled away their meager income or had it stolen by unscrupulous bartenders.
It was a godless environment, and this "people group" was written off or not even considered as a place to present the gospel. That was until God called Frank Higgins to the camps. This book chronicles the large number of transformed lives, camps and towns that resulted from his unapologetic preaching and compassion for the "jacks."
One of those who heard his preaching was Sornberger, whose conversion story is among the most remarkable I've ever come across. Sornberger went from being a wealthy prizefighter under the name Jack McWilliams (who never lost a fight until his last fight) to a desperate outlaw wanted by sheriffs across northern Minnesota. Then he heard Higgins preach, confessed Christ and took a 180-degree turn.
Pardoned for serious crimes by the governor of Minnesota (at a political price), Sornberger went on to follow in Higgins' footsteps. But he still wasn't above a brawl with the forces who opposed him:
... one of the bartenders seized what looked like a golden opportunity. He grabbed a bottle and swung it at the back of John's head. The alert scrapper saw the motion out of the corner of his eye, ducked, and whirled in one swift motion. He caught the wrist of his new assailant as the blow fell and broke the man's arm on the edge of the bar. Then he leaped over the bar in one clean vault, hit the dazed bartender behind the ear, and turned to any new business, which might be before the house.
He grabbed a full bottle of whiskey in each hand and, with unholy joy, swept the back bar clear of glasses, bottles, and liquor -- thus doing a full thousand dollars' worth of damage to the owner. Then he noticed the men lined up against the wall -- having been too busy to see them until that moment. He climbed up on the bar, a broken bottle held like a dagger in each hand and sent out his challenge: "All right," he said. "I'll clean up the whole lousy crew of you." His eyes swept up and down the row, as he demanded, "Which end of the line do I begin on?"
This book would be of value to anyone interested in the history of Christian revivals, missions and the like. It was of particular interest to me because I've lived for more than 20 years in Duluth, which is the region's biggest community. When the author describes a conversation that Higgins had at Fifth Avenue West and Superior Street -- a conversation that soon turned into preaching and drew scores of men -- I can picture that intersection today. I can't picture a sermon being preached to a crowd there today, because police would have to come and break it up to keep traffic moving.
At the time he wrote the book, the author was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Duluth, the de facto "sending church" for the Sky Pilots, not always with strong backing from the larger denomination. He had an up-front view of the work and knew all three men, although only Channer was still alive when the book was written. Harry Rimmer wasn't afraid to criticize his own denomination. He reports, with disgust, the restrictions insisted on by an elder of a Presbyterian church in Cambridge, Wisconsin, to services led by Channer. These included limiting services to an hour and no altar calls. Channer preached boldly, and revival broke out anyway.
I wish that when this book was reprinted it also had been updated a bit. The language is flowery in places, and Rimmer was given to overstatement. Of Duluth, he wrote,"It is the most romantically and historically rich city on the American continent, and to know it is to love it, as no other city deserves affection."
I (heart) Duluth, but I wouldn't go THAT far.
He also uses one word that would be unthinkable to use today. It's not the word you're probably thinking of, but it's bad enough by today's standards. It could have been excised with no harm to the text.
As I'd love to see an updated version of "The Last of the Giants," I'd also like to see a condensed, well-illustrated version for children. The bar brawls probably would have to be eliminated, but I think boys, especially, would love the stories of these rough-and-tumble 20th century versions of Elijah and Elisha. The last of the giants? Perhaps not, but giants, certainly.
To this day, lumberjacks are a breed apart, but in those days they were rough-hewn men working incredibly hard for long hours while existing in camps that were as rough as they were for little pay. When they got to town, many drank or gambled away their meager income or had it stolen by unscrupulous bartenders.
It was a godless environment, and this "people group" was written off or not even considered as a place to present the gospel. That was until God called Frank Higgins to the camps. This book chronicles the large number of transformed lives, camps and towns that resulted from his unapologetic preaching and compassion for the "jacks."
One of those who heard his preaching was Sornberger, whose conversion story is among the most remarkable I've ever come across. Sornberger went from being a wealthy prizefighter under the name Jack McWilliams (who never lost a fight until his last fight) to a desperate outlaw wanted by sheriffs across northern Minnesota. Then he heard Higgins preach, confessed Christ and took a 180-degree turn.
Pardoned for serious crimes by the governor of Minnesota (at a political price), Sornberger went on to follow in Higgins' footsteps. But he still wasn't above a brawl with the forces who opposed him:
... one of the bartenders seized what looked like a golden opportunity. He grabbed a bottle and swung it at the back of John's head. The alert scrapper saw the motion out of the corner of his eye, ducked, and whirled in one swift motion. He caught the wrist of his new assailant as the blow fell and broke the man's arm on the edge of the bar. Then he leaped over the bar in one clean vault, hit the dazed bartender behind the ear, and turned to any new business, which might be before the house.
He grabbed a full bottle of whiskey in each hand and, with unholy joy, swept the back bar clear of glasses, bottles, and liquor -- thus doing a full thousand dollars' worth of damage to the owner. Then he noticed the men lined up against the wall -- having been too busy to see them until that moment. He climbed up on the bar, a broken bottle held like a dagger in each hand and sent out his challenge: "All right," he said. "I'll clean up the whole lousy crew of you." His eyes swept up and down the row, as he demanded, "Which end of the line do I begin on?"
This book would be of value to anyone interested in the history of Christian revivals, missions and the like. It was of particular interest to me because I've lived for more than 20 years in Duluth, which is the region's biggest community. When the author describes a conversation that Higgins had at Fifth Avenue West and Superior Street -- a conversation that soon turned into preaching and drew scores of men -- I can picture that intersection today. I can't picture a sermon being preached to a crowd there today, because police would have to come and break it up to keep traffic moving.
At the time he wrote the book, the author was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Duluth, the de facto "sending church" for the Sky Pilots, not always with strong backing from the larger denomination. He had an up-front view of the work and knew all three men, although only Channer was still alive when the book was written. Harry Rimmer wasn't afraid to criticize his own denomination. He reports, with disgust, the restrictions insisted on by an elder of a Presbyterian church in Cambridge, Wisconsin, to services led by Channer. These included limiting services to an hour and no altar calls. Channer preached boldly, and revival broke out anyway.
I wish that when this book was reprinted it also had been updated a bit. The language is flowery in places, and Rimmer was given to overstatement. Of Duluth, he wrote,"It is the most romantically and historically rich city on the American continent, and to know it is to love it, as no other city deserves affection."
I (heart) Duluth, but I wouldn't go THAT far.
He also uses one word that would be unthinkable to use today. It's not the word you're probably thinking of, but it's bad enough by today's standards. It could have been excised with no harm to the text.
As I'd love to see an updated version of "The Last of the Giants," I'd also like to see a condensed, well-illustrated version for children. The bar brawls probably would have to be eliminated, but I think boys, especially, would love the stories of these rough-and-tumble 20th century versions of Elijah and Elisha. The last of the giants? Perhaps not, but giants, certainly.
May 29, 2021
One of the best books I have read in a long time!
It reads like a novel but it is basically three mini-biographies. The first chapter almost made me not want to finish- it painted so dismal a picture of what life was like in the early logging camps. But that was just the set up for the glory that was to be revealed. The change Christ wrought in the lives of these men and the people they ministered to is a true picture of the power of Christ, and yet, the half has not been told - only eternity will reveal the full story.
I knew of Harry Rimmer [the author] only through others. I have perhaps read a sermon or two of his in the past. I knew he was a good friend of John R. Rice [my favorite author] but I had no idea what a masterful writer he was until I read this volume. I hope he wrote other biographies. I will be checking.
It reads like a novel but it is basically three mini-biographies. The first chapter almost made me not want to finish- it painted so dismal a picture of what life was like in the early logging camps. But that was just the set up for the glory that was to be revealed. The change Christ wrought in the lives of these men and the people they ministered to is a true picture of the power of Christ, and yet, the half has not been told - only eternity will reveal the full story.
I knew of Harry Rimmer [the author] only through others. I have perhaps read a sermon or two of his in the past. I knew he was a good friend of John R. Rice [my favorite author] but I had no idea what a masterful writer he was until I read this volume. I hope he wrote other biographies. I will be checking.
October 22, 2018
This is some American history I'd missed - "Sky Pilots" (missionaries) to the lumberjacks of the North Woods about a century ago. It's well written, and a good snapshot of a wild time in American history, but with Christ bringing hope, and changed lives, even in the most desperate places and circumstances. Recommended for history buffs as well as those interested in revival stories.
August 23, 2020
This is the best book I've read in quite a while. It was so inspiring and gave me hope for civilization. The 3 men that the book focused on truly were giants of the faith and changed so many lives. What amazing men and what an amazing story! Much love!! ❤❤❤❤❤
September 17, 2016
The stories of revivals and missionaries of the past must be passed on from generation to generation as the Lord tarries. I was blessed immensely by reading this book which tells us the stories of the Sky Pilots - missionaries to the lumberjacks at the turn of the century in Minnesota and surrounding areas. Reads like fiction - and compared to today's state of affairs and coldness to the gospel - it will feel like fiction at times as it is inconceivable of revivals like this occurring in America again. A staple for any Christian's library!
January 6, 2026
I'm a lover of biographies, specifically Christian preachers biographies. This one is a five-star read. Very much enjoyed it!
December 31, 2017
Sky Pilots who reached their world... with the gospel of Christ.
They waded through snow; they forded flooded streams; they toured the camps on snowshoes, skis, foot, and by dogsled and canoe; and in their wake they spread salvation and brought light and life to men. There is an impressive list of homes reunited and families made happy by the return of a prodigal husband and father. Parents who got their sons back, cleansed in spirit and decent in conduct, constitute so great a company that no man can number them. The preaching of the cross may be foolishness to those who perish, but to such as hear it and heed it, the message brings new life and true happiness. And all of these men had the one theme: “Jesus saves!”
They waded through snow; they forded flooded streams; they toured the camps on snowshoes, skis, foot, and by dogsled and canoe; and in their wake they spread salvation and brought light and life to men. There is an impressive list of homes reunited and families made happy by the return of a prodigal husband and father. Parents who got their sons back, cleansed in spirit and decent in conduct, constitute so great a company that no man can number them. The preaching of the cross may be foolishness to those who perish, but to such as hear it and heed it, the message brings new life and true happiness. And all of these men had the one theme: “Jesus saves!”
January 6, 2021
A powerful account of God’s saving Grace
This book is an account of 3 men who reached into a community that very few had the courage to do. Their love for the lumberjacks and the burning passion in their hearts for Jesus is awe-inspiring. The flame in my heart was stoked by God’s Love and grace as I saw again and again how God changed people’s lives. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes adventure, even if you don’t know Jesus or don’t believe in God, I would give the book a read. A brilliant read!!!
This book is an account of 3 men who reached into a community that very few had the courage to do. Their love for the lumberjacks and the burning passion in their hearts for Jesus is awe-inspiring. The flame in my heart was stoked by God’s Love and grace as I saw again and again how God changed people’s lives. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes adventure, even if you don’t know Jesus or don’t believe in God, I would give the book a read. A brilliant read!!!
January 20, 2018
One of the most interesting reads I’ve had in awhile! These 3 “sky pilots” were unique men of God! There is so much you can glean from these men! One of the things I learned was to reach men, you must first be a man, and the men need to know it!!! An inspiring read!!! It made me want to attempt great things for God in the area of reaching and training men!!!
May 27, 2021
Great stories! Plenty of humor sprinkled through these inspiring tales of missionary daring. Will look forward to meeting these giants in heaven someday. I was, though, a bit unnerved by the last chapter and the report of Channer's evangelistic meeting in the midst of the Spanish Flu epidemic (Yikes!).
September 26, 2023
Found this book for free on Amazon. I really enjoyed it! The pacing was off at times, but the topic was really interesting.
It goes over the life and ministry of three men who were missionaries to the lumberjack in the early 1900s. It was a fun mix of history book, missionary story and a wild west story. Very dramatic telling by a man who knew them.
It goes over the life and ministry of three men who were missionaries to the lumberjack in the early 1900s. It was a fun mix of history book, missionary story and a wild west story. Very dramatic telling by a man who knew them.
October 31, 2018
Encouraging
I found the stories (histories) in this book to be an encouragement to my faith and therefore very interesting. I was motivated to read it whenever I had a chance to read for a few minutes.
I found the stories (histories) in this book to be an encouragement to my faith and therefore very interesting. I was motivated to read it whenever I had a chance to read for a few minutes.
November 7, 2019
Powerful!
This book shows that no matter how bad a person is, God can save you. My favourite person in the book was John Sornberger. His testimony is amazing. His story will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This book shows that no matter how bad a person is, God can save you. My favourite person in the book was John Sornberger. His testimony is amazing. His story will keep you on the edge of your seat.
September 7, 2021
Inspirational Giants
These men known as Sky Pilots served the lumberjacks with wholehearted love and devotion as bestowed upon them by the tender loving mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Friend to Sinners, and Light of the World.
These men known as Sky Pilots served the lumberjacks with wholehearted love and devotion as bestowed upon them by the tender loving mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Friend to Sinners, and Light of the World.
March 20, 2023
I enjoyed it.
This is the story of 3 lumberjacks who lead tent meetings and revivals in the woods of Minnesota. It had elements of humor and drama. So it became an interesting and enjoyable book to read.
This is the story of 3 lumberjacks who lead tent meetings and revivals in the woods of Minnesota. It had elements of humor and drama. So it became an interesting and enjoyable book to read.
May 17, 2024
A worthy Read
A terrific and spellbinding book of three remarkable men who came kicking and screaming into the kingdom of God and turned into modern day Pauls of Tarsus! Easy read. I could not put it down, drawn by the astounding way God moved in these men's lives!
A terrific and spellbinding book of three remarkable men who came kicking and screaming into the kingdom of God and turned into modern day Pauls of Tarsus! Easy read. I could not put it down, drawn by the astounding way God moved in these men's lives!
August 19, 2017
Awesome!
Recommended for anyone interested in winning lost souls. An inspirational account of preaching the gospel to the lumberjacks! Tons of action, too!
Recommended for anyone interested in winning lost souls. An inspirational account of preaching the gospel to the lumberjacks! Tons of action, too!
December 23, 2021
Fantastic
Absolutely amazing to hear the work of these great men of the field, missionaries through and through, preachers of the gospel.
Absolutely amazing to hear the work of these great men of the field, missionaries through and through, preachers of the gospel.
January 16, 2022
Great
As a logger and a Christian, I greatly appreciated what these men did for the call of God. Really good book.
As a logger and a Christian, I greatly appreciated what these men did for the call of God. Really good book.
March 6, 2023
Interesting historical account of the men who risked everything to reach men who most thought were unreachable.
August 17, 2024
I love these accounts of preachers tough enough to communicate with lumberjacks. It’s also just interesting to read about lumberjack life. Worth reading.
November 19, 2025
Fantastic book!
September 29, 2015
About the Book:
In its early years, Duluth was a gold mine for lumber barons. Men were employed as lumberjacks and worked like beasts, only to be tossed aside like used equipment when no longer needed. The grand forests were raped for their prime timber, the balance burned wastefully. The men were coarse and hard, but they had to be to survive. More than any other people that ever lived in our land, these old-time lumberjacks could truthfully say, “No man cared for my soul.”
That is, until God sent three men to the great Northwoods of our country ¬– Frank Higgins, John Sornberger, and Al Channer. These men blazed new trails of the Spirit and founded an empire for God. They reached a sector of humanity for which no spiritual work had ever been done before, storming the Northwoods with a consuming passion for Christ. And with that passion, they also brought a heart as big as all outdoors, a love for men that burned like a flame, and a desperate desire to see these men saved.
My Review:
God can recruit you in the most unlikely of circumstances in the most unlikely of places. He is God after all, and when He first calls you to do something extraordinary for Him, your thoughts and plans may not exactly match up with His. But before long your heart and His will be a perfect match. God is good like that. My husband and I were called into the ministry ten years ago and it took a lot for God to get us on the right track going the right way, but we finally did and we most definitely feel better for it.
The Last of the Giants, takes the lives of three men into the lumberjack camps as missionaries. These three individuals had the hunger to win lost souls at any cost, so they went about God's work as He commanded. The lumberjacks were a rough and tumble kind of crowd, but God doesn't concern himself with that and we shouldn't either. So each of the individuals involved set about to get this accomplished for Him.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Life Sentence Publishing.
In its early years, Duluth was a gold mine for lumber barons. Men were employed as lumberjacks and worked like beasts, only to be tossed aside like used equipment when no longer needed. The grand forests were raped for their prime timber, the balance burned wastefully. The men were coarse and hard, but they had to be to survive. More than any other people that ever lived in our land, these old-time lumberjacks could truthfully say, “No man cared for my soul.”
That is, until God sent three men to the great Northwoods of our country ¬– Frank Higgins, John Sornberger, and Al Channer. These men blazed new trails of the Spirit and founded an empire for God. They reached a sector of humanity for which no spiritual work had ever been done before, storming the Northwoods with a consuming passion for Christ. And with that passion, they also brought a heart as big as all outdoors, a love for men that burned like a flame, and a desperate desire to see these men saved.
My Review:
God can recruit you in the most unlikely of circumstances in the most unlikely of places. He is God after all, and when He first calls you to do something extraordinary for Him, your thoughts and plans may not exactly match up with His. But before long your heart and His will be a perfect match. God is good like that. My husband and I were called into the ministry ten years ago and it took a lot for God to get us on the right track going the right way, but we finally did and we most definitely feel better for it.
The Last of the Giants, takes the lives of three men into the lumberjack camps as missionaries. These three individuals had the hunger to win lost souls at any cost, so they went about God's work as He commanded. The lumberjacks were a rough and tumble kind of crowd, but God doesn't concern himself with that and we shouldn't either. So each of the individuals involved set about to get this accomplished for Him.
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Life Sentence Publishing.
July 26, 2017
This is an account of three men who became missionaries or evangelists to the lumberjacks of the northern woods during the early 1900s. It was first published around 1948 (I think, going on my memory here), and was written by a man who knew one of the missionaries. I was so intrigued by the setting of the lumberjack camps--it's hard to imagine the lawlessness described in the book was part of the country--that I couldn't resist doing a few Google searches, but found very little additional info on any of the men. This book seems to be the best account of the work done on this particular mission field. So I am grateful to the author for finding it important to record these men's stories.
There were some things I didn't enjoy about the writing style, and it was sometimes a slow read. For those reasons I would give this book a 3.5 rating.
There were some things I didn't enjoy about the writing style, and it was sometimes a slow read. For those reasons I would give this book a 3.5 rating.
May 17, 2016
One of my favorite books. Rates right up there with " Bruchko" "Peace Child" and "The Narrow Road"
It is amazing to read stories of real-life people and their struggles and major victories when they follow God wherever He leads and how they get to be a part of the plan to love others to life.
It is amazing to read stories of real-life people and their struggles and major victories when they follow God wherever He leads and how they get to be a part of the plan to love others to life.
April 5, 2017
There aren't enough stars for me to rate "The Last of the Giants". I give it at least seven. I enjoyed reading about the history of logging, the lives the lumber jacks lived, and the men who preached the Gospel of Christ. The short biographies of three Sky Pilots shows how God can take men from various backgrounds, open their eyes to God's truths, and use them to preach to people who need the message the most.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews