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10 Dead Guys You Should Know: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
Ten fascinating bite–sized biographies of the Christians people expect you to know. While Christians have always prized the Bible as our ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice, we also recognize that the Christian life is an intergenerational and communal activity. This collection of ten short biographies will introduce you to Christians from a variety of places and times, who all boldly preached the gospel, despite the risk to personal reputations and safety. How short–sighted it would be not to glean insights from our ancestors, whether that entails learning how to walk in their steps – or else avoiding their missteps. Written by Ian Maddock, Rachel Ciano and Stuart Colton, who all teach church history and edited by Ian Maddock. Each chapter has suggested further reading, and additional suggestions ‘for the adventurous’. Chapter 1. Against the World 2. The Grace of God Defeated Me 3. Faith Seeking Understanding 4. Martin Here I Stand 5. Thomas Lord Jesus, Receive My Spirit 6. Richard Keep These Hearts Above 7. John A Brand Plucked from the Burning 8. Hudson These I Must Bring Also 9. Preaching, Prayer and Perseverance 10. Dietrich The Cost of Discipleship This book is ideal for anyone wanting a biref, entertaing and illuminating overview of the lives and beliefs of these ten giants of Christian history.
240 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2021
14 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Ian J. Maddock
7 books4 followersIan J. Maddock (PhD, University of Aberdeen) serves as Senior Lecturer in Christian Thought at Sydney Missionary and Bible College.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 3, 2023
Since reading Piper’s ‘The Swan’s Are Not Silent’ series, Christian biography has been a real source of encouragement, challenge and perspective for me. This book is no different. Seeing other (often quite ordinary) Christians down the ages grapple with immense struggles in the Christian life - both universal and historically specific - has highlighted some great examples for me to follow, as they followed Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). I particularly liked the Baxter and Bonhoeffer biographies. Baxter said,
“If life be long, I will be glad,
That I may long obey:
If short, yet why should I be sad,
That shall have the same pay?”
“If life be long, I will be glad,
That I may long obey:
If short, yet why should I be sad,
That shall have the same pay?”
November 29, 2021
This is a great book for someone unfamiliar with Church history and wanting to start their journey in exploring the subject or simply dip their toe in.
The contributors to the book manage to bring the stories of these ten saints to life in a fun and engaging manner, while also providing great encouragement and challenge to Christian readers. Reading about the immense and persistent suffering and trials the men experienced is awfully sobering. Yet, their perseverence in their faith in Christ throughout is beyond inspiring. I am humbled to say that I live for that some faith today.
My personal favourites of the ten stories would be Hudson Taylor, Richard Baxter and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I would have liked to have seen the book include more saints from the first 1000 years of the Church; the majority are post-Reformation. Though limiting the selection to ten people is inevitably challenging. Including women saints would have also been a worthy addition, though perhaps the editor is planning a follow-up dedicated to women.
The contributors to the book manage to bring the stories of these ten saints to life in a fun and engaging manner, while also providing great encouragement and challenge to Christian readers. Reading about the immense and persistent suffering and trials the men experienced is awfully sobering. Yet, their perseverence in their faith in Christ throughout is beyond inspiring. I am humbled to say that I live for that some faith today.
My personal favourites of the ten stories would be Hudson Taylor, Richard Baxter and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I would have liked to have seen the book include more saints from the first 1000 years of the Church; the majority are post-Reformation. Though limiting the selection to ten people is inevitably challenging. Including women saints would have also been a worthy addition, though perhaps the editor is planning a follow-up dedicated to women.
December 28, 2022
A great set of short biographies. An excellent way to look at some of the great lives of faith that have been lived before. Very helpfully the authors also go further than simply recounting stories, but making them practically and pointing readers to particular aspects of the lives of each individual that we would do well do learn from.
March 15, 2021
10 Dead Guys You Should Know is a book written by three church historians Ian Maddock, Stuart Coulton and Rachael Ciano. They bring to the table 10 different dead individuals that had influenced Christianity from the church father to the modern era. Each of them are task to showcase how these giants of faith change the course of Christianity and what lessons they can tell us as they persevere in the faith.
These mini-bios highlights their works and legacy without leaving the discussion of their being human. This book strike a balance of giving honor and showing their shortcomings as they strive to please their God. In short, they didn’t make an idol from these saints of the past.
Here’s my breakdown of the book chapter by chapter.
The book opens with Stuart Coulton’s piece about Athanasius murder allegations which is really engaging and had me hooked already in the book. His writing is focus on post-Nicean times of Athanasius, his exiles, his relationships with the changing Emperors and how he stood up against the world, so to speak, on what is the biblical truth about Christ deity.
Rachel Ciano take on Augustine has two parts. One is concentrated on his conversion to Christianity and the other is his theological battle with Pelagius.
Ian Maddock on Anselm. Maddock injects some witty stuff here but manage to show intellectual Anselm is.
Stuart Coulton had mixed all of the highlights of Luther into one so I, could say he didn’t give emphasis on one specific point. I think it’s safe to say the stand out here I think is Luther’s stand on Sola Fide.
Rachel Ciano did a good job for the life of Cranmer bringing the intensity of what this Reformer has gone through. What makes Cranmer stand out so far for me (in the book and to the other dead guys as well) is his recanting and recanting back.
Rachel Ciano again now taking on Richard Baxter. This maybe the most encouraging bio so far in this book. Divided in three parts on how Baxter focuses on heaven amidst different difficulties in his life. I love that she provided the steps on how Baxter meditate daily on heaven and also providing excerpts from his poems is like adding wood on a fire. Well done ma’am!
Ian Maddock moves to tell John Wesley story which in my opinion an odd one because most likely as a Calvinist you’ll go for other folks familiar in that camp. Also reading the Baxter story might already grab the thunder of this one. Nevertheless, it’s good bio.
Hudson Taylor’s life goes to Rachel Ciano which will be her last in this book. Her writings here are the ones you guys should first read. Anyways, her take on this missionary great as she combines Taylor’s family struggle and his burning zeal to reach the people of China. She did well in building it up to make a strong story.
I think everyone is anticipating the Prince of Preacher’s biography once you grab to read this book. You might have read some of stuff already about Spurgeon. What Stuart Coulton did with Luther in the middle part of the book, he did it to Spurgeon’s story. However, I prefer this one than of Luther’s.
This book wouldn’t end without giving a bang. So they end this with the life the Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It’s indeed a bang, as Ian Maddock tells the controversy of Bonhoeffer as he defies the Nazi regime. He made mentioned of works of this German theologian which will spark interest to you. Bonhoeffer is a fitting finally for this book.
10 Dead Guys You Should Know is a good introductory book for these men of God which likely can be found in much longer works. It’s written by three individual so expect different flavors of their writings. Their style is slightly a bit different with the usual mini-bio books. Also I think they highlighted parts of persons life that would likely be footnotes only on other books and not have that kind of extra attention. All in all you’ll enjoy and encouraged as well as get information with these faith forefathers. One question I do want to ask the authors and I think you might also have that in mind: Why is John Calvin not included in this book?
My verdict:
4.5 out of 5
These mini-bios highlights their works and legacy without leaving the discussion of their being human. This book strike a balance of giving honor and showing their shortcomings as they strive to please their God. In short, they didn’t make an idol from these saints of the past.
Here’s my breakdown of the book chapter by chapter.
The book opens with Stuart Coulton’s piece about Athanasius murder allegations which is really engaging and had me hooked already in the book. His writing is focus on post-Nicean times of Athanasius, his exiles, his relationships with the changing Emperors and how he stood up against the world, so to speak, on what is the biblical truth about Christ deity.
Rachel Ciano take on Augustine has two parts. One is concentrated on his conversion to Christianity and the other is his theological battle with Pelagius.
Ian Maddock on Anselm. Maddock injects some witty stuff here but manage to show intellectual Anselm is.
Stuart Coulton had mixed all of the highlights of Luther into one so I, could say he didn’t give emphasis on one specific point. I think it’s safe to say the stand out here I think is Luther’s stand on Sola Fide.
Rachel Ciano did a good job for the life of Cranmer bringing the intensity of what this Reformer has gone through. What makes Cranmer stand out so far for me (in the book and to the other dead guys as well) is his recanting and recanting back.
Rachel Ciano again now taking on Richard Baxter. This maybe the most encouraging bio so far in this book. Divided in three parts on how Baxter focuses on heaven amidst different difficulties in his life. I love that she provided the steps on how Baxter meditate daily on heaven and also providing excerpts from his poems is like adding wood on a fire. Well done ma’am!
Ian Maddock moves to tell John Wesley story which in my opinion an odd one because most likely as a Calvinist you’ll go for other folks familiar in that camp. Also reading the Baxter story might already grab the thunder of this one. Nevertheless, it’s good bio.
Hudson Taylor’s life goes to Rachel Ciano which will be her last in this book. Her writings here are the ones you guys should first read. Anyways, her take on this missionary great as she combines Taylor’s family struggle and his burning zeal to reach the people of China. She did well in building it up to make a strong story.
I think everyone is anticipating the Prince of Preacher’s biography once you grab to read this book. You might have read some of stuff already about Spurgeon. What Stuart Coulton did with Luther in the middle part of the book, he did it to Spurgeon’s story. However, I prefer this one than of Luther’s.
This book wouldn’t end without giving a bang. So they end this with the life the Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It’s indeed a bang, as Ian Maddock tells the controversy of Bonhoeffer as he defies the Nazi regime. He made mentioned of works of this German theologian which will spark interest to you. Bonhoeffer is a fitting finally for this book.
10 Dead Guys You Should Know is a good introductory book for these men of God which likely can be found in much longer works. It’s written by three individual so expect different flavors of their writings. Their style is slightly a bit different with the usual mini-bio books. Also I think they highlighted parts of persons life that would likely be footnotes only on other books and not have that kind of extra attention. All in all you’ll enjoy and encouraged as well as get information with these faith forefathers. One question I do want to ask the authors and I think you might also have that in mind: Why is John Calvin not included in this book?
My verdict:
4.5 out of 5
March 16, 2023
I'd heard of pretty much all of these guys before, but it was cool to learn a little bit more about them and read some of their own words. Helpful introduction to some of the major figures in church history.
February 18, 2022
Brief intro to a range of important church figures throughout history. I really appreciated some chapters, but overall found it a bit lightweight
February 10, 2024
great read
Rachel & Ian have done a brilliant job in gathering some great writers who not only give some great insight to these 10 dead guys but also great encouragement to faith.
Rachel & Ian have done a brilliant job in gathering some great writers who not only give some great insight to these 10 dead guys but also great encouragement to faith.
December 9, 2024
This book offers 10 brief, accessible biographies of Christian men spread throughout history---Athanasius (4th c.), Augustine (4th-5th c.), Anselm (d. 1109), Martin Luther (d. 1546), Thomas Cranmer (d. 1556), Richard Baxter (d. 1691), John Wesley (d. 1791), Hudson Taylor (d. 1905), Charles Spurgeon (d. 1892), and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (d. 1945). Most of the men were significant to the history of Christian theology (Athanasius, Augustine, Anselm), or effectively the founders of branches of Christianity (Luther, Cranmer, Wesley). Taylor was significant to modern missions, Spurgeon was the first ever mega-church pastor, and Bonhoeffer has a compelling story of resistance, advocacy, and martyrdom. Only Baxter doesn't really stand out as having more than a "cool story, bro" factor. The stories are well-written, relatable, and at times even funny. The book is designed to appeal to all parishioners, not history buffs or academics.
I give the book 5 stars, but I will offer the critique that it features no persons of color in the modern era (Athanasius and Augustine were north African Christians and probably not what we would think of as "white," but they are well enmeshed in the Western tradition). Certainly Taylor and Bonhoeffer both dealt with racial issues, but it would have been nice to have seen more diversity in the cast.
I taught a *10 Dead Guys You Should Know* class at my church earlier this year based on this book. I deleted Martin Luther (whom I had already taught an entire class on) and Richard Baxter, and added Bartolomé de las Casas and Richard Allen to the line-up instead. The class went well and generated great discussion and interest.
I give the book 5 stars, but I will offer the critique that it features no persons of color in the modern era (Athanasius and Augustine were north African Christians and probably not what we would think of as "white," but they are well enmeshed in the Western tradition). Certainly Taylor and Bonhoeffer both dealt with racial issues, but it would have been nice to have seen more diversity in the cast.
I taught a *10 Dead Guys You Should Know* class at my church earlier this year based on this book. I deleted Martin Luther (whom I had already taught an entire class on) and Richard Baxter, and added Bartolomé de las Casas and Richard Allen to the line-up instead. The class went well and generated great discussion and interest.
January 5, 2024
“I want to learn more about church history, I just don’t know where to start.”
You’re in the right place.
This book is the perfect introduction to some of the heroes who have shaped the Christian church. The contributors do an excellent job of giving a short but coherent bio of each of the 10 men, as well as a summary of their specific legacy in the faith. This book ignited a spark in me to actually read these men’s work, and it’s led to such a deeper and more comprehensive grasp of Christian orthodoxy. Read this!
You’re in the right place.
This book is the perfect introduction to some of the heroes who have shaped the Christian church. The contributors do an excellent job of giving a short but coherent bio of each of the 10 men, as well as a summary of their specific legacy in the faith. This book ignited a spark in me to actually read these men’s work, and it’s led to such a deeper and more comprehensive grasp of Christian orthodoxy. Read this!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews