Honor in the Dust

Winslow Breed #1

by Gilbert Morris

The grandfather of Christian fiction returns with the story of what happened to the winslow family during an earlier era when the Tudors reigned—tracing the doomed rise of Stuart Winslow within the salacious court of King Henry VIII.

The determined Stuart Winslow will go to any lengths to lift himself and his widowed mother out of poverty. After a distant relative manages to secure a place for Stuart in the court of King Henry VIII, Stuart quickly learns that the court is really a wicked cauldron of vices, power plays, and temptation. As Stuart rises at court, he is asked to find and deliver for execution an enemy of the king—William Tyndale, an acquaintance of Stuart’s whose sole ambition is to translate the Bible into the language of the common man. Does Stuart fall prey to his dangerous ambition and accept the assignment? Or is he willing to face death at the stake for the sake of Christ?

In Honor in the Dust , bestselling author Gilbert Morris captures the tone of the Tudor period beautifully, chronicling the period’s excesses with skill and prudence. But like Morris’s other novels, it also contrasts those excesses with the godly behavior of real-life characters like William Tyndale. In this captivating historical drama, Stuart Winslow is caught between two one that promises material and worldly success, and one that promises salvation. Is his faith strong enough to withstand such a challenge?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian, Fiction, British Literature

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is enjoyable to read. It's written simple, simple, almost YA style to emotional life. This is primarily true for the main Winslows, especially to those characters. But also to several others in the plot lines, as well. Thus the emotive continuity, to me, became rather cheesy- not uneven and flawed as in real life but cored by either heroic love or hate. Both off the scales. Tudor reign of Henry VIII is told through fanatic Protestant and/or commoner "eyes" IMHO. Tynesdale and Stuart did not seem like possible actual people to me because of that over riding factor, much like the Saints and Martyrs of the Early Church in tomes of saints' biographies. They live and die with nearly one mono focus to their conversations and purposes.

But despite all those negatives, to me, and they may not be negatives at all to other readers- it kept my interest enough to finish. And I liked reading court members from another angle than the usual Henry and wives or high minister related tale.

But I wouldn't go on in the series with this one because it is Bible preaching as well as (and overriding too)to the story telling. Not usually a downside (for me) as much as it is here because of its particular inherent writing style deficiency.

[Carmen Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof. This hurts. How can a book from a favorite author flop so badly?? Maybe my tastes have changed since it’s been a few years that I read a GM book. but this was not his best work, unfortunately. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I skimmed over the last 40% of the book. So basically a DNF.
Just poor writing. Lack of depth in the plot and characters. They just weren’t as fleshed out as much as I recall his other books were. I was simply bored to tears.
So maybe don’t judge his works off of this book. 😅 there are better ones out there!

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Honor in the Dust" is my first experience reading a book by Gilbert Morris if you can believe that with my loving Christian Historical Fiction, but you can believe that it will not be my last. This being a prequel for a previous Winslow Series, I am excited that there are already some books for me to jump back to as well as being excited for the rest of the Winslow Breed series to come in 2010 and 2011. Set in England in the time period of King Henry VIII makes an interesting background as the story goes through two generations and really brings a reader to care about the families and individual characters involved, one can really see the young men grow and blossom in their relationships.

There are many themes in this book. Besides from being a good read overall, there are lessons available to learn. From similarities in life to Biblical lessons to trying to hold strong in ones "honor" in a temptation arena, the challenges are realistic and hard. With historical characters such as Queen Catherine, King Henry VIII, and William Tyndale make it very interesting. There is sword play and adventure, betrayal and romance, espionage and disguise and a dozen other features that make this an all around enjoyable read.

[Bonnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not have much to say. This was a non-offensive read about a man's struggle with moral choices in Henry VIII's England.

It felt unpolished and clunky. But I did appreciate the author's point.

[Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to say it, but if you've read one Winslow novel, you've basically read them all. Now, that's not precisely true, since they're set in different time periods, but unfortunately the general storylines (and main characters) are the same. But--that is not to say that I don't enjoy them. On the contrary, I do like them. (Which, you know, is the reason I keep coming back for more ...)

Setting: Mainly England, but also a little time was spent in Ireland, and even some in Germany (although of course not Germany as a unified nation). The era of this book has a long range: 1497-1536. The famous happenings of this Reformation era are central to the plot lines of the book. All quite interesting, to be sure, although I wonder how accurate the portrayal of King Henry VIII, as royalty, was.

Characters: Classic Gilbert Morris romance characters, the whole lot of them. Handsome Winslow men who never seem to avoid straying away from the Lord in their young adult life. If I recall other House of Winslow books, though, this one might have been a tad more detailed (still nothing graphic, though). That said, what more do I need to add about Claiborn and Stuart? As for the women, I'm not sure there's a stereotype of a classic Winslow wives, but both Grace and Heather were pretty good. Actually, I really liked the romance of Claiborn and Grace, despite how little time was spent on them. As for the antagonists, they were done pretty well. And, by the end, Stuart was quite clever.

Plot: There were actually a few minor plots, which isn't surprising, considering a few factors: one, a generational POV change, and two, the long time period the book covered. But the main problem that was resolved by the end was cleverly done, and neatly, too.

Faith content: Quite prevalent throughout, as normal for Morris books. Sometimes it was a little stilted, but not always. Sometimes, in this setting, I found the "hearing from God" a little out of place in the 16th century. At the very least, Claiborn's mother and wife were ahead of the times. But, considering there were people (like Jan Dekker, William Tyndale, Martin Luther, etc.) who would have a deeply personal relationship with God, I can see how it wasn't terribly historically inaccurate. Stuart's eventual conversion seemed a little abrupt--not in the actual repentance (that was natural and not rushed), but in the way Stuart was no longer tempted by the sin in which he had previously been consumed.

One last comment about the faith aspect: the point taken from the title of the book, taken directly from a Bible passage, was well done and unique, I think, in Christian fiction. I appreciated that part.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

so, this was in interesting one. it's essentially a sort of generic christian fiction set during the time of william tyndale -- who was martyred for daring to translate the bible into the common tongue. i do have to say that the writing and plot were a bit predictable and cheesy at times, but overall i still finished reading it and liked it enough. apparently there's a whole series that follows this family through the years down to the present, but i wouldn't say i'm running out to read the next one. i guess you could compare it to a "work and the glory" type series but for a non-denominational christian audience. when i picked up the book and read the back, i was expecting it to be more of a non-fiction type story, but i'm not sure how much with tyndale was actually factual and how much was created for the story. i don't know. maybe i'd rate this closer to 2 1/2 stars or 2 3/4.

[Rachel Hubbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it wasn’t a great book is was a decent read and it would have gotten more stars except that some of the portions of this book (including a major plot point) are identical to another book written by Morris (first book in the Wakefield Dynasty) so it was quite disappointing.

[Rozanne Macpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turtles?!

I loved this book and enjoyed it tremendously except for one thing! I am a naturalist and when the book mentions turtles, mosquitoes and poisonous snakes it really clashed with my nature. We don't have turtles wild in the UK, we have only one type of poisonous snake and I am pretty sure mosquitoes would not have been mentioned in those days, flies perhaps but not mosquitoes. Sorry to be so picky but it stood out like a sore thumb right in the middle of a great read!

[Summereyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read very much, which surprised me. The title is based on a bible verse that is referenced by the Winslow family and later becomes the son's creed to live by after he has given into temptation and his own desires. This also includes great historical reference to the efforts to publish the Bible in English. I am looking forward to the second book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been years since I've read a Gilbert Morris novel, and I'd forgotten how much I loved these books. Set in Henry VIII's court, Stuart's humble beginnings catapult him to the king's favor, but his life turns into a search for peace that takes him from pomp and circumstance to prison. A wonderful story of how God works in our lives.

[Lori Grube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This was a fun read that fell easily into the history of the times during the reign of Henry the eighth. I loved that it told the truth about the taudry life of the Royals without being embarrassing to read.Loved the lifting up of honor and integrity.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had previously read the entire House of Winslow series many years ago so I decided to check the prequel out. Story was interesting but a lot of it seemed repetitive and written in a choppy manner. It didn’t always flow in a way I would have expected.

[Jim Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction at it's best!

Very well researched and an easy to read storyline. I feel like I understand a time in history that I had never before understood. Can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old-fashioned historical romance.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel, set during the time of King Henry VIII, certainly held my interest. I am enjoying following the lives of the Winslow family.

[Lauren Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up randomly at a thrift store. I am so happy I did. It was definitely a page turner. It is a little religious, but it has a love story mixed in.

[Rebecca McCurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by Gilbert Morris that walks you through a significant period of history and points to Jesus.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot and time period, but this book lacked depth and left me kind of bored.

[Victor Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of interviewing Gilbert Morris, on our radio show "Kingdom Highlights", for his new book, "Honor In The Dust" Book One in the Winslow Breed Series published by Howard Books.

Back in the Seventies Gilbert Morris created a series called "The House Of Winslow" which was designed to bring one family generation by generation from the founding of America all the way to the present. At the present time there are 40 books in that series and it has brought the Winslows up until the 1940's. What Gilbert Morris is attempting to do with this series is a prequel to that series and is showcasing the three generations before the start of the first book in "The House Of Winslow". Here we begin with Claiborn Winslow in 1497 England who, for love, runs away from his family home Stoneybrook to marry Grace. They have their first child, Stuart, and are living in poverty until Claiborn's mother insists they come home against the wishes of Claiborn's brother Edmund.

Stuart goes to work in the court of Henry VIII as his hunting bird master and the two become friends. Stuart also becomes friends with the Queen, Catherine of Aragon and their daughter Mary. Along the way Stuart also becomes friends with William Tyndale, the man who translated the Bible from Latin into English, had it published and smuggled into England for the common man to own and read. This sets up most of the conflict in the book as Stuart is sentenced to die in the Tower of London and so are his father and Uncle. To tell you what happens would spoil the story for you but suffice it to say this is a very exciting story. I have been reading everything by Gilbert Morris for a long time and I have to say that this may be his finest work. This is English Monarchy history, this is religious history and this is also just plain fun and exciting as well.

If, like me, you have read everything ever written by Gilbert Morris then you are going to love this book. If this is your first reading of anything by Gilbert Morris you are going to love this book. The title of the book comes from Psalm 7 and shows how a man can have his honor trampled and then restored to him by the Lord. It is a very fulfilling read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

If you missed the interview for "Honor In The Dust" and would like to listen to it please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where it is available On Demand.

To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Howard Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilbert Morris, known as the grandfather of Christian fiction, has once again crafted a wonderful story set around the time that William Tyndale began translating the bible into the English language. But the story is not of this brave man who gave his life to bringing the Word of God to the common people. Instead, it is the story of Claiborn and Stuart Winslow’s life. The book begins with Claiborn’s story and then continues on to give Stuart’s life the center stage.

He attracts the attention of the king as a young man and lives in the King’s courts, where evil runs thick and is openly accepted. Characters often discuss the different affairs King Henry VIII became involved in, but they don’t go into much detail except naming the mistresses. While Gilbert doesn’t shirk from showing the immorality and adultery that ran high in the courts, he doesn’t go much farther than telling it like it was. It was sad and sobering to watch Stuart fall – throwing away his money, purity, and honor – but the message the author conveyed through Stuart’s testimony was strong. Stuart fell, but God raised him up.

The writing was different from what I am used to, but it wasn’t difficult to read and after a few pages, I was used to it. It was a bit different in that the book opens up with Claiborn and Grace as main characters, and then halfway through the book shifts to their son, Stuart, as the main character.

The culture of that time was really neat to read about. I really enjoy reading a book where I actually learn something about that time period – and that’s how it is in Honor in the Dust! I have read a few of Gilbert Morris’ books through the years, and this is one of my favorites. It really picks up towards the end and for the last hundred pages I could not stop. A very recommendable read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honor in the Dust blew me away. I was totally enthralled by the book and didn't want to put it down. I don't think I've ever read a book by Gilbert Morris before, though my husband has and he seemed to enjoy the stories. Now I can see why.

This novel truly impressed me. For people who love reading about King Henry VIII and his many problems having a son, his issues with the church, and his numerous affairs, this will definitely fit that taste. However, the book is more about God using William Tyndale to translate the Bible into English so the common people could read God's word. It follows the infamous Winslow clan that Gilbert is known for creating for his many House of Winslow books.

I love stories that delve so much into the culture that you feel like you are there. Morris does this well with just enough detail to make the setting come alive, but without grossing you out at the same time. He also lets his characters mess things up and suffer the consequences. He doesn't gloss over their sin and the shame that comes with it.

Morris also does a fantastic job of putting his characters into seemingly impossible situations and having God and/or His people come through for them, but not every single time. Life isn't like that and Morris doesn't portray it that way. However, when good triumphs over evil and when God changes the hearts of several characters, as a reader I couldn't help cheering for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the late 15th and early 16th centuries during the time of Henry VIII. Stuart Winslow was born into poverty when his aristocratic father ran away with his mother, the woman his uncle wanted to marry. Raised in a faith-filled home, Stuart learns about God at his father's knee, as well as falconry and weapons design. When his skills attract the attention of the king, Stuart is delighted to find himself a part of the royal court. He soon learns, however, that the court is a place of wickedness and immorality and finds it difficult to maintain his faith in God.

His presence at court, however, allows him to become friends with Queen Catherine, and that friendship will ultimately save his life. As he comes to realize that God has other plans for him and Stuart soon finds himself helping William Tyndale, the man responsible for first translating the bible into English. Tyndale's work has marked him as a traitor to the crown and sentenced to death.

Fascinating. Enthralling. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down. The characters were terrific and likeable. I thought Gilbert Morris did a fabulous job of contrasting the excessiveness of the royal court against the humble circumstances of those who loved God.

I'm not very familiar with the Tudor period, nor am I very familiar with the life of William Tyndale. However, I found the historical aspects of the story fascinating. This is the first in a trilogy and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read almost all of the books (30 of the 40) in Gilbert Morris' House of Winslow series, and this book is the first in the Winslow Breed Trilogy that is a prequel to the House of Winslow. All of these books detail the struggle, conversion, and cause of a specific member of the Winslow family tree. Honor in the Dust is no different from Morris' other books, in the journey of Stuart Winslow during Tudor England. This book was fun to read partly because I like historical fiction and partly because I like Morris' other books. However, I have read other fiction set during the same time frame (Henry VIII and all his wives), and I don't think this book is as well researched and some facts may not be accurate. But, then again not many other books I have read so far have linked William Tyndale and Henry VIII, so this was exciting and I can't wait to read the next book about Stuart Winslow's son, Brandon.

[Debora Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading a book set during the time of King Henry VIII where the king was not the main character.

I was caught up in the story of Claiborne Winslow and his whole family. The characters are wonderful and I fell in love with them. Grace Winslow has to be one of my favorites though. She has an incredibly simple faith. Her attitude toward prayer is amazing. I would love to be able to say that mine is the same as her’s.

There is a remarkable emphasis on relationships with others in this book. They are not all positive though. In this aspect they are very realistic.

I was enthralled by the growth of many of the characters as the story progressed. Much of the positive growth came about through very negative circumstances. I definitely relate to that aspect of this book.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honor in the Dust starts with a brief overview of the Spanish-American War. The final 80% deals with the role of American operations and the political climate in regards to the Philippines. The Marines role on Samar are also discussed. While American atrocities are high lighter those of the Philippine forces are glossed over. Despite the obvious bias, this work is a good overview of the Filipino fight for independence under American rule.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book..wonderful writing and wonderful story line. At the center of it all was the theme that God is sovereign and when we submit to HIS will, all things work together for good. I can't wait to finish the series :)

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preety good story with ok characters. Loved the interaction and story regarding the conversion of both Father and later son. Would love more books in this timeline/ genre with out all the skipping around between generations.

[Lorna]

#1 in the Tudor series by this author. He always writes inspirational historical fiction that captures the time and the imagination.

[Lori Goins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, This is next Month's Choice to read. I thought I would get a head start and with the weather so nice I love to take time to read outside. Hope you are taking the time to read a great book too!

[Marris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it was a little odd because almost the whole story, except for the beginning, followed the same story as a book in a different series by him, almost to the word.