Customer Reviews (2)

No Coward Soldiers in God's Band
Warren Maye has written a riveting and compelling history of the Salvation Army's might warriors of color in his recently published book, SOLDIERS OF UNCOMMON VALOR: THE HISTORY OF SALVATIONISTS OF AFRICAN DESCENT IN THE UNITED STATES. His well-researched collection of brief biographies and milestones, accompanied by a plethora of photographs in support of the text, makes for easy, yet highly informed reading.
Maye, a seasoned writer, editor and art director of several Salvation Army publications,is highly qualified to write this book. He is a personal friend and colleague of several of the persons highlighted therein. In narrative after narrative, he focuses on the unwavering commitment of these dedicated Black Salvationists who have provided service for well over one hundred years. Their burning zeal to spread the gospel, no matter the cost, underscores their deep love for humanity and affirms the strength and determination of the human spirit. The phrase, "Against all odds" would well describe the accomplishments of these outstanding men and women, despite the prevailing unfavorable circumstances in the communities in whch they ministered. Indeed they continuously placed their lives at risk for the sake of Jesus Christ and because of their fierce loyalty to their organization.
Most outstanding for the reader are the testimonies of those who, over the years since the 1880's, defied racial stereotypes, unfounded assumptions based on skin color, and petty resentments both within and outside of their organization, to obey the clarion call on their lives to supply comfort and resources to individuals and families wherever needed. In addition, the very positive influence of Black Salvationists in music and worship within the Salvation Army is well documented.
While focusing on the struggles and gains of Salvationists of African descent in the the USA, Maye's book also takes the reader on a brief journey to the foundational roots of the Salvation Army in London, England and to the work of Black Salvationists in other parts of the world,particularly in the Caribbean, in Panama and in Africa. Living and working among the people whom they served, they brought hope, joy and courage in the midst of often treacherous and dire conditions.
Of interest in the book is the documentation of the decision-making that occured within the Salvation Army itself in response to events of historical significance in the USA with regard to racial advances. Of critical importance is acknowledgement of the courageous actions of these Black soldiers in confronting Salvation Army leadership. Their forthright efforts forced their leaders to face up to their Christian and moral obligation with regard to race relations. Several were successful in spearheading new organizational policies. These led to the tearing down of walls of racial and cultural differences within its own ranks and the ascension of qualified and gifted people of color to leadership positions.
Through this book, Salvationists of color can feel a sense of deep satisfaction at the sensitive and accurate capturing by Warren Maye of their struggles and victories. As a Black non-Salvationist, I take pride in reading about a significant portion of Black history of which I was previously unaware.
Finally, although not explicitly stated, this book implicitly permits the leadership of other major religious denominations and organizations to examine their own internal policies with regard to racial and mulitcultural issues. Thus, it opens the door for making necessary changes and corrections in keeping with current realities.
I highly recommend this landmark book to any reader, especially lovers of history in general and Black history in particular.

An important contribution...
More than a century ago Booker T. Washington wrote, "I have had the greatest respect for the work of The Salvation Army, especially because I have noted that it draws no color line in religion." If only the rest of the Christian church in the U.S. could say the same.

Sadly, what Martin Luther King, Jr. noted nearly half a century ago is still true: "We must face the fact that in America, the church is still the most segregated major institution in America. At 11:00 on Sunday morning...we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation. This is tragic. Nobody of honesty can overlook this. Now, I'm sure that if the church had taken a stronger stand all along, we wouldn't have many of the problems that we have. The first way that the church can repent, the first way that it can move out into the arena of social reform is to remove the yoke of segregation from its own body."

Congratulations to Warren L. Maye, an award-winning writer and editor for The Salvation Army. His new book, Soldiers of Uncommon Valor, offers important insights into one of America's most profound and enduring ministries, The Salvation Army. The fact that it hasn't carried the yoke of segregation all these years makes this volume "must reading" for Christian leaders and readers everywhere. ... Read more

Product Description
So strongly associated is the Salvation Army with its modern mission of service that its colorful history as a religious movement is often overlooked. In telling the story of the organization in America, Lillian Taiz traces its evolution from a working-class, evangelical religion to a movement that emphasized service as the path to salvation.

When the Salvation Army crossed the Atlantic from Britain in 1879, it immediately began to adapt its religious culture to its new American setting. The group found its constituency among young, working-class men and women who were attracted to its intensely experiential religious culture, which combined a frontier-camp-meeting style with working-class forms of popular culture modeled on the saloon and theater. In the hands of these new recruits, the Salvation Army developed a remarkably democratic internal culture. By the turn of the century, though, as the Army increasingly attempted to attract souls by addressing the physical needs of the masses, the group began to turn away from boisterous religious expression toward a more "refined" religious culture and a more centrally controlled bureaucratic structure.

Placing her focus on the membership of the Salvation Army and its transformation as an organization within the broader context of literature on class, labor, and women's history, Taiz sheds new light on the character of American working-class culture and religion in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. ... Read more

Product Description
A brief history of The Salvation Army Waioli Tea Room inHonolulu Hawaii.Built in 1922, the Tea Room served as an adjunctvocational training center for young women in residence at theadjoining Children's Home which was established by The Salvation Armyin 1909. The book follows the historical chronology, its population ofboys and girls who were "given" to the Salvation Army for custody whenparents could not care for them or they were abandoned. For many, itwas the only "home" they knew throughout their childhoood. Personalstories are included, details of the home and tea room development,financial struggles, and reclaimation maintaining its place in a verysupportive community.Salvation Army officer names are usedthroughout. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
From the Meeting Religious Groups series - an introduction to some major religious groups through a visit to a place of worship typical of each.Meeting people and asking questions is an interesting way of learning. Meeting people in religious groups and communities is an excellent way of finding out what they believe and why they behave as they do. In Britain there is a church, temple or some kind of religious building within easy reach of everybody's school and home. This book describes a Salvation Army citadel and tells you about the people who worship there. When you have read it you can go and find out about the religious buildings and communities that are nearest to you and begin to think about the similarities and differences. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: London, H.M.S.O.; Publication date: 1905; Subjects: Agricultural colonies; ... Read more

Product Description
An uneducated youth, William Booth left home in 1849 at the age of twenty to preach the gospel for the New Methodist Connexion. Six years later he founded a new religious movement which succeeded to such a degree that the Salvation Army (which it became) is now a worldwide operation with massive membership. But that is only part of Booth's importance and heritage. In many ways his story is also that of the Victorian poor, as he and his wife Catherine made it their lives' work to battle against the poverty and deprivation which were endemic in the mid- to late 1800s. Indeed, it was Catherine who, although a chronic invalid, inspired the Army's social policy and attitude to female authority. Her campaign against child prostitution resulted in the age of consent being raised and it was Catherine who, dying of cancer, encouraged William to clear the slums -- In Darkest England, The Way Out. Roy Hattersley's masterful dual biography is not just the story of two fascinating lives but a portrait of an integral part of our history. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: League for Social Service in 1900 in 102 pages; Subjects: Charities; Social service; Business ... Read more

Product Description
Examines the history, goals, and work of the Salvation Army. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Volume: 1; Original Published by: The Macmillan company in 1920 in 494 pages; Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Military; Biography & Autobiography / Religious; History / Military / General; Religion / Christianity / Protestant; Religion / Christianity / Denominations; ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Dyer in 1883 in 314 pages; Subjects: Fiction / Classics; History / General; Literary Collections / General; Literary Criticism / General; ... Read more