The Benefit of Steel

by Michael Hoskin

Born in Canada; raised in Zambia; serving in Angola. Dr. Steve Foster has lived a remarkable life as a missionary surgeon, bringing what he calls "the benefit of steel" to relieve suffering people in times of war and poverty. Steve is one of many missionaries in his family, a lineage with more than 100 years of worldwide service. This is the story of Steve and his wife Peggy and how God shaped their lives for service in Angola, where they have been since 1978. As the Fosters' story is revealed to you in these pages, you will learn the history of Angola and its civil war and witness stories of miracles, dangers and heartbreak.

316 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2019

About the author

I served as a freelance writer with Marvel Comics from 2004-2012. I'm now moving into non-fiction, starting with biography. I'm also a library technician, archivist & missionary. One can never have too many careers!

Reviews

[J.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love fascinating biographies, you will love "The Benefit of Steel." This is one of the most interesting biographies I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It follows the incredible life and family history of a Canadian missionary surgeon in Angola. A rich exploration of the topics of politics, travel, Africa (Angola in particular), missionary life, medicine, philanthropy, and family. The stories contained in this book are eye opening, heartwarming, shocking, funny, devastating, and fundamentally human—the culmination of not just a life richly lived in service to others, but multiple generations of an entire family dedicated to this pursuit. An absolute must-read, written by a remarkably talented author.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary account of an extraordinary family. It takes the family of Steve and Peggy through war and peace as they run and hand over a mission hospital in Central Africa. It bears comparison to Helen Roseveare's books on the same topic, "Give me this mountain/He gave me a valley." It is easy to read, for example, "Our trip to Luanda was uneventful except a pick pocket tried to get my wallet going through security. I got the man arrested but meanwhile he stole my sunglasses". This author has previously written about Marvel superheroes; this book is not that much of a change except it's non fiction.

[Jane Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love to read missionary biographies but this was a tough one. Instead of following Stephen Foster's medical missionary career, it rambles all over the place with excruciating details of the politics of the day. I realize that was a necessary component, but, enough already. Parts I just had to skim; others I read with great interest. I think this would have benefited from some serious editing.

[Jayne Bartrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing testimony of God’s faithfulness to the now 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation of the Foster family and the work in Africa. This book provides great biography as well as significant history of Angola. Anyone interested in Africa, Angola, medicine and health care in developing countries, or history in general will be spellbound by this read.