For Richer, For Poorer: Twenty-first century lessons from the lives of nineteenth century women

by Clare Heath-Whyte

The nineteenth century saw great innovation and change. The modern world grew and flourished at the hands of great creators and scientists. There were opportunities for Christian men to influence their society and culture for good, and these key figures were often supported and sustained by unsung heroes their wives.
Inside these pages, you'll read of six women who lived bold, godly, and servant-hearted lives during the nineteenth century. Be challenged by their wholehearted commitment to Christ even under the restrictions of the day. And be encouraged that they too struggled with similar concerns as us time management, parenting, sickness and yet sought to live for the glory of Jesus.

Reflection questions at the end of each chapter make this an ideal book to aid your personal growth or to enjoy as part of a book discussion group.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Christian

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2018

About the author

Clare Heath-Whyte is a popular speaker and author of Old Wives Tales and First Wives Club . Clare is Vaughan Robert's sister and is married to David who is a vicar who writes groovy tunes and they have two children. She lives in Morden, South London.

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Clare Heath-Whyte I have read and I really loved both. The mini biographies are well written and very easy to read, and include some helpful analysis. To aid further reflection and application Heath-Whyte includes a helpful little Bible Study at the end of each chapter. I hope she will write many more books like this.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort-of enjoyed this more than I wanted to.

Not a huge fan of drawing straight-and-easy morals from the lives of ordinary saints, but I found the variety, tenacity and resourcefulness of these women helpful. They faced diverse circumstances and patterns of married life with grit and grace (or so it seems, there's a bit of an overreliance on early, adoring biographies). But we get some honest talk about their foibles and faults too.

It's refreshing to see the considerable labour and wisdom of women who are generally overlooked in favour of their famous husbands. And the author neatly explains the contemporary context with a historian's eye. Just wish she hadn't used so many exclamation marks, which felt a bit patronising.

[Megan Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the story of six different wives living their best for God with some famous Christian husbands. It was interesting to read about their lives and made me remember that everyday life is not all sunshine and rainbows. Living in this world brings illness and grief as well as joy and love, both go hand in hand even for the influential. It was a good reminder to see others as people first, not their influence or marriages.

[Kate Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Clare Heath-Whyte's series of books about Christian women through the ages. These are mini-biographies, and they are so interesting and inspiring, especially because these women are not necessarily paragons. They often have had hard lives, have made mistakes, and yet they are living their lives to the glory of God. Highly recommended!

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly inspiring. The author does admirably in bringing across the challenges and selflessness or each of these interesting women. The questions and Bible passages at the end of each chapter are also thought-provoking and suitable for reflection.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting book about nineteenth century wives of famous, Godly men. This book had a lot more info on the husbands than the wives. For that reason I gave it 4 stars. I would have liked the focus to have stayed upon the wives more.

[Imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging read. Admirable women but they and their husbands worked themselves to death! Enough to put one off being a minister’s wife, and thankful that our faith isn’t based on carrying out many many works. Real shame that there’s a typo on p. 189.

[Tamara Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the focus of this one, but the writing was a little clunky at times and could have been a bit more smooth with its narrative.

[Beverley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction & piqued my interest enough to want to read up on these women in more detail.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Wives Club, Old Wives Tales and now For Richer, For Poorer - they are all lovely: informative, sobering and inspiring short biographies of wives of prominent Christians through the ages.