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Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World
In a shallow light-speed world, how can we really know and be known by another person? How do we make true friends?
The Digital Age is all about change, but the need for true friendship never changes. We are designed for real engagement with others---for affirmation that goes beyond a simple “like” on social media, for connection over meals, for hope and excitement about the future. Above all, we need to be known and accepted for who we are. But how do we find and maintain this kind of friendship in a fluid and frenetic culture?
In Known, Dick and Ruth Foth offer inspiration and proven practices that build relationships through personal storytelling, affirmation, covenant, and dreaming. They draw on years of mentoring, rich relationships, and the model of Jesus to show us why friendship is one of the keys to a full life and the greatest gift we can give to each other.
The Digital Age is all about change, but the need for true friendship never changes. We are designed for real engagement with others---for affirmation that goes beyond a simple “like” on social media, for connection over meals, for hope and excitement about the future. Above all, we need to be known and accepted for who we are. But how do we find and maintain this kind of friendship in a fluid and frenetic culture?
In Known, Dick and Ruth Foth offer inspiration and proven practices that build relationships through personal storytelling, affirmation, covenant, and dreaming. They draw on years of mentoring, rich relationships, and the model of Jesus to show us why friendship is one of the keys to a full life and the greatest gift we can give to each other.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 6, 2017
If you know Dick Foth, you know he's a great storyteller. Known is no exception to that rule. I can almost hear his voice as he tells story after story all the while motivating us to grow deeper in our friendships.
Friendships take time. In our digital age, we have given our time elsewhere. We have forgotten how to be friends with those across the table and beside us. We have forfeited the beauty of those around us in order to be connected to dozens of people not around us.
Known is a helpful reminder in how to have deep, meaningful friendships. I especially appreciated the ending when he said we need to give our friendships: time, tenacity, and truth telling. That'll preach right there!
Friendships take time. In our digital age, we have given our time elsewhere. We have forgotten how to be friends with those across the table and beside us. We have forfeited the beauty of those around us in order to be connected to dozens of people not around us.
Known is a helpful reminder in how to have deep, meaningful friendships. I especially appreciated the ending when he said we need to give our friendships: time, tenacity, and truth telling. That'll preach right there!
September 9, 2017
'Known: Finding Friendship in a Shallow World" by Dick and Ruth Foth is an incredible book that is deeply profound and inspires change in the way we live our lives especially the way we build and maintain relationships. Dick Foth is a master storyteller and relationships collector. In this book, he unleashes his exemplary story telling skills to explain and help us understand the complexity and secrets of real, deep, authentic and genuine engagement with others! I loved learning from Dick Foth the importance of face-to-face genuine conversations- how to begin them, listen, and open the door to a possible friendship. He explains the secret components of deep friendship and teaches us how to personally apply these in our lives. Specifically, I found it rewarding to learn affirmation (unlocking people's hearts and liberating them), covenant (an everlasting pledge of relationship), pursuit, trust, and dreaming together (trust big and dream long). I loved the little nuggets of relational wisdom shared by Ruth Foth. I enjoyed reading her wise reflective poetry and deep insights into her love of solitude, the surprising connection with others through loneliness, and the fascinating experience of writing personal letters. I will cherish this book and continue learning from the model of Jesus- the truest Friend - the One who found it worthy to sacrifice His life for befriending the 'wrong' people. The One who makes His point clear "By this will all men know that you follow me, that you love one another." I am truly grateful to Dick and Ruth Foth for this fabulous book on relationships-on knowing and being known!
June 6, 2017
Dick Foth is a Favorite for Words of Wisdom
The original premise of this book is "that we deal with money and relationships our whole lives and it's the relationships not money that make us rich. Let's be sure we don't end up impoverished."
In this crazy world where we go out to dinner or hang with friends, a large amount of the time is spent looking at screens and talking with people who are not there ….instead of interacting with the very people who are present in the same location with us. This book is filled with wisdom from someone who has made several trips around the sun and knows how to build meaningful relationships.
Dick Foth has played many important roles throughout his life and has built deep friendships with well-known Washington DC politicians and unknown common people. One of those deep friendships is one of my favorite pastors to listen to on podcast, Mark Batterson (a best selling author). Dick Foth is a fairly frequent visiting pastor at his church, National Community Church in Washington DC. Each sermon is filled with words of wisdom, anecdotes with obscure references and good encouragement. Foth’s book, Known, is the same.
This book is a quick read, a good reminder of principles that you may already know, but filled with smart ideas to build better relationships that older, and especially younger generations, can greatly benefit from.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
The original premise of this book is "that we deal with money and relationships our whole lives and it's the relationships not money that make us rich. Let's be sure we don't end up impoverished."
In this crazy world where we go out to dinner or hang with friends, a large amount of the time is spent looking at screens and talking with people who are not there ….instead of interacting with the very people who are present in the same location with us. This book is filled with wisdom from someone who has made several trips around the sun and knows how to build meaningful relationships.
Dick Foth has played many important roles throughout his life and has built deep friendships with well-known Washington DC politicians and unknown common people. One of those deep friendships is one of my favorite pastors to listen to on podcast, Mark Batterson (a best selling author). Dick Foth is a fairly frequent visiting pastor at his church, National Community Church in Washington DC. Each sermon is filled with words of wisdom, anecdotes with obscure references and good encouragement. Foth’s book, Known, is the same.
This book is a quick read, a good reminder of principles that you may already know, but filled with smart ideas to build better relationships that older, and especially younger generations, can greatly benefit from.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
May 20, 2017
Having had the privilege of listening to Dick speak, this book added depth to the stories I have heard him recount. It seems that Dick has the ability to connect with anyone, not just frivolous connections, but an ability to show someone they are important. In this book he passes on the reason why he believes in relationship, the reason why deep connection is so important and parallels it with the way Jesus lead his life. The challenge to let yourself truly be known and to provide the opportunity for others to be known on a deeper level is backed by his experiences outlined in this book which were a delight to read. I had hoped to hear more of Ruth's thoughts in the book, but it was nice to compare the way the same thought was expressed from two quite different perspectives.
May 26, 2017
I read certain books for personal growth, novels for enjoyment and relaxation and then there are books like Known by Dick and Ruth Foth that is such a joy to dig into! It is an easy read, yet with lots of challenges, sweet ideas from their own life-experiences and very encouraging. It presents many novel ways in which to start a new friendship with humans, always with the true relationship we have with our eternal Friend and Heavenly Father as ultimate focus. I tested the “Tell me your story” way in a new, searching friendship and was pleasantly surprised at the results. By starting at the right place, it has the potential to blossom into a deeper covenant-relationship.
August 25, 2017
In his wonderful storytelling-style Dick Foth, along with wife Ruth, invite us to pursue deep friendships through story, affirmation, and covenant. What results is trust and real life as it was meant.
If you know Dick you will find many of the stories familiar and if you haven't heard of him this is a great introduction to the wise saint that has spent a life building friendships while following Jesus.
Through it all Jesus is the model and motivator for relationship.
Some of the practical application is delivered only as questions but even these are helpful as you endeavor toward deeper relationships.
If you know Dick you will find many of the stories familiar and if you haven't heard of him this is a great introduction to the wise saint that has spent a life building friendships while following Jesus.
Through it all Jesus is the model and motivator for relationship.
Some of the practical application is delivered only as questions but even these are helpful as you endeavor toward deeper relationships.
July 1, 2017
Finished this book in a couple of days.
The chapters are short (always a plus for me).
My biggest takeaway from the book was the "kinds" of friendships you have throughout the course of life. Some are meant to be lifelong while others are only around for a season. It was good to hear that as I go through an awkward phase of friendships in my own life.
His wife, Ruth, has some thoughts of her own that pop up throughout the book. I would have liked to have heard more of her thoughts at the end of each chapter.
Overall, a good book and easy read.
The chapters are short (always a plus for me).
My biggest takeaway from the book was the "kinds" of friendships you have throughout the course of life. Some are meant to be lifelong while others are only around for a season. It was good to hear that as I go through an awkward phase of friendships in my own life.
His wife, Ruth, has some thoughts of her own that pop up throughout the book. I would have liked to have heard more of her thoughts at the end of each chapter.
Overall, a good book and easy read.
June 2, 2017
Superficial clichés and shallow notions about friendship are not to be found in Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World. Yet its penetrating insights are given clearly, understandably. It gently address both mind and heart. The Foths explain what makes friendships really work. Their writing style makes you think they are your best friends telling you their best stories. The book prompts me to treasure ever more dearly those cherished things we call “friends”.
September 5, 2017
Such an easy and informative read. I really enjoyed learning from this husband - wife dynamic duo. I am great with relationships but still learned much from their life stories and sage advice. I am currently reading it for the second time and plan to incorporate some of its teachings into ice breakers for my women's group.
February 10, 2019
Relationships are key for life. The Foths have lived and done life and ministry in several fascinating contexts that gives them a beautiful perspective on why relationships are vital and how to build them to last.
August 9, 2017
Very good case for knowing and being known in relationships.
September 18, 2017
This is the best book on friendship ever, IMHO. I'm re-reading it now, trying to internalize the lessons. A very timely book.
June 21, 2018
Such a wonderful book.
April 11, 2017
I was interested in reading Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World by Dick and Ruth Foth because I've been making a concerted effort to make new friendships and enhance the ones I currently have. I've increasingly felt more and more lonely, as friends move away and social media seems to cultivate shallow connections, but not actual deep, real friendships. It's divided into five sections: First Things (Recognize What's True About Life), Storytellers (Story Is the Soil from Which Friendship Grows), Affirmers (Hearing Your Story, I Learn How to Love You), and Covenanters (In a Throwaway Culture, Staying the Course Stands Out). The back cover says:
"In a shallow light-speed world, how can we really know and be known by another person? How do we make true friends?
The Digital Age is all about change, but the need for true friendship never changes. We are designed for real engagement with others---for affirmation that goes beyond a simple “like” on social media, for connection over meals, for hope and excitement about the future. Above all, we need to be known and accepted for who we are. But how do we find and maintain this kind of friendship in a fluid and frenetic culture?
In Known, Dick and Ruth Foth offer inspiration and proven practices that build relationships through personal storytelling, affirmation, covenant, and dreaming. They draw on years of mentoring, rich relationships, and the model of Jesus to show us why friendship is one of the keys to a full life and the greatest gift we can give to each other."
I absolutely loved this book! After reading it, I want to be friends with Dick and Ruth! Dick's writing style is fun and funny, and very interesting and easy to read. I loved Ruth's input because I'm an introvert like her. While I desire and long for close friends, I want to have a small circle of very close friends and prefer to interact in small groups or one-on-one, and I need time to "recharge" afterwards. I enjoy that Dick acknowledges the downfalls and pitfalls of social media, as I've seen it have a negative effect on my life and friendships. I want to return to a world of real, deep, close, and lasting friendships, and this book is a wonderful tool in the toolbox. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in order to provide an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
"In a shallow light-speed world, how can we really know and be known by another person? How do we make true friends?
The Digital Age is all about change, but the need for true friendship never changes. We are designed for real engagement with others---for affirmation that goes beyond a simple “like” on social media, for connection over meals, for hope and excitement about the future. Above all, we need to be known and accepted for who we are. But how do we find and maintain this kind of friendship in a fluid and frenetic culture?
In Known, Dick and Ruth Foth offer inspiration and proven practices that build relationships through personal storytelling, affirmation, covenant, and dreaming. They draw on years of mentoring, rich relationships, and the model of Jesus to show us why friendship is one of the keys to a full life and the greatest gift we can give to each other."
I absolutely loved this book! After reading it, I want to be friends with Dick and Ruth! Dick's writing style is fun and funny, and very interesting and easy to read. I loved Ruth's input because I'm an introvert like her. While I desire and long for close friends, I want to have a small circle of very close friends and prefer to interact in small groups or one-on-one, and I need time to "recharge" afterwards. I enjoy that Dick acknowledges the downfalls and pitfalls of social media, as I've seen it have a negative effect on my life and friendships. I want to return to a world of real, deep, close, and lasting friendships, and this book is a wonderful tool in the toolbox. Highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in order to provide an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
April 30, 2017
Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World by Dick and Ruth Foth is a book about the importance of friendship. The authors explore what it means to be a good friend, and they show how deep friendships can radically change our lives. The book also naturally allows readers to reflect on their relationships with God.
The authors have developed deep friendships in their own lives, and it is great that they have written a book about friendship’s vital role. I thought that Chapter 12, “Fighting Fair,” was especially interesting, because the Foths talked about five different options for resolving conflict. Throughout the book, the authors share good insight with their readers.
*I received this book for review*
The authors have developed deep friendships in their own lives, and it is great that they have written a book about friendship’s vital role. I thought that Chapter 12, “Fighting Fair,” was especially interesting, because the Foths talked about five different options for resolving conflict. Throughout the book, the authors share good insight with their readers.
*I received this book for review*
June 4, 2017
Authentic relationship is something that everyone longs to experience. Dick and Ruth invite us into their story of friendship and help us understand that we, too, can journey together with others into friendships that are deeply fulfilling. I have had the honor of benefiting from Dick and Ruth's friendship. They are as real as the stories they tell. There is no formula here, only stories that help me to recognize signposts on the path to relationships that are formed over time and made from trust and love. I want this to be the story of my life too!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews