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Customer Reviews (5)

award winning book!!!!!
I loved this book!!! there were many times were i couldn't put it down. When i got it, i had only heard a little bit about Eliza Shirley, but by the time i finished it, i couldn't believe how much this girl did at 16! She started the Salvation army in america, for she had heard them in england and had followed them and helped them. I rate this as a award winning book!!!!!

Edge of the Seat
What an inspiring story! I absolutely loved Wendy Lawton's book about Eliza Shirley. I loved the prayer wall, especially, and the lob stew. I loved the description of the clothing and all the vocabulary words. But mostly I'm amazed and encouraged by the Lassies' courage.

The writing was wonderful. I could feel my heart race increasing whenever they did the open-airs. A great story for any age!

A WARM, UPLIFTING ACCOUNT
As a young girl Eliza Shirley could not avoid the ragged and dirty streets that led to her father's mill. She was touched by the sight of children begging and annoyed by being taunted with "Nothin' but a girl!"

She was a fortunate young woman in nineteenth century England, and she loved the accoutrement of her pleasant life - crinolines, kid gloves, a warm house.She especially loved her best friend, Beck.

However, Eliza's comfortable existence will soon change in a dramatic and surprising way: Who should come to Coventry but the Hallelujah Lassies bringing with them a rather scraggly group of followers who sing and clap tambourines?

Almost immediately Eliza knows with certainty that this is the work that God would have her do.There is nothing that will stop her and nothing did.She eventually became a backbone of the Salvation Army.

Wendy Lawton has written a warm, uplifting account of this remarkable woman's life.

- Gail Cooke

The Hallelujah Lass
What an exciting, adventurous read. Lawton tells the story of Eliza Shirley, a teenager growing up in nineteenth-century England. Eliza was a pioneer with a gift of evangelism who brought the good works of The Salvation Army to America. I have a deeper respect for the work of The Salvation Army and the saints who serve.
Lawton's sophisticated writing style, and thorough research allow a delightful story to be enjoyed by the young and mature readers. As a 39 and holding reader, I didn't realize the book was written to ages 8-12 until I finished the book and browsed the back cover. My 12-year old daughter will read it next, and I'm sure she will enjoy it as much as I did. If you buy it as a gift, read it first--you will be blessed.

The Hallelujah Lass
What a delightful read. The story of Eliza Shirley is written with adventure and sophistication--yet, it is easy to read. This book is for all readers. I'm over 39, but didn't realize it was written for ages 8-12 until I read the fine print on the back cover. Next, I shall share it with my 12 year old daughter. Lawton does an excellent job of weaving character, plot, and history to create an exciting story that touched my heart and deepened my love and respect for The Salvation Army. Lawton's book demonstrates that regardless of age, gender, size, or shape, we can be pioneers of change through our faithin Christ. If you buy this book as a gift for someone, read it first--you'll be blessed. ... Read more

Product Description
Blood and Fire is a brilliant biography of two great social and religious figures whose inheritance lives on to this day.William Booth (1829-1912) was one of the most extraordinary men of his age, a pawnbroker's clerk who would found the most successful religious movement of the nineteenth century--the Salvation Army. As a twenty-year-old, he developed the unshakable belief that God had ordained him to convert the world to Christianity.Convinced that both churches of Victorian England were ignoring the needs of the poor, he founded the East London Christian Mission.As the mission became the Salvation Army, it recruited thousands of members in battalions around the globe.Its membership is now in the hundreds of thousands in virtually every country.

Catherine, his wife, was in many ways even more exceptional.A chronic invalid and mother of eight children (within ten years), she inspired the social policy that was, and remains, an essential part of the Salvation Army's success.Catherine held ideas on social equality that were ahead of her time, and she encouraged the Army to accept "women's ministry" and give female officers authority over men.Her campaign against child prostitution resulted in the age of consent being raised from thirteen to sixteen.And it was Catherine who, even while dying of cancer, urged William to develop his plans for clearing the Victorian slums.Blood and Fire is a brilliant account of a fascinating period of social history.
Amazon.com Review
They preached in the streets of London accompanied by brass bands, appropriating the methods of ungodly popular entertainment to draw working-class sinners to righteousness. They founded soup kitchens and people's halls to feed the hungry and give them a place to congregate other than the tavern. William Booth (1829-1912) and his wife, Catherine (1829-90), outraged polite society with the establishment of their Christian Mission in 1865. Rechristened the Salvation Army in 1878, the organization challenged the smug Victorian status quo by insisting that sin sprang from unjust social conditions. British writer and Labour Party stalwart Roy Hattersley vividly conveys the political and religious context within which the Salvation Army operated without scanting the forceful (not to say peculiar) characters of its founders. William was authoritarian and self-righteous, yet he often deferred to intellectual, strong-minded Catherine, whose instinctive sympathy for the poor and belief in women's equality before God shaped their ministry. They were hardly warm people, yet their marital love was unshakable and absolute. The Salvation Army survived their autocratic leadership to flourish into the 21st century: "It is not necessary to believe in instant sanctification," writes Hattersley in a characteristically balanced summing-up, "to admire and applaud their work of social redemption." --Wendy Smith ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Well-written but overly political rather than spiritual
The Booths were certainly a very interesting social couple during the mid to late 1800's.The things that they did to reform the church were noteworthy, but not always positive.However, the legacy of the Salvation Army deserves the respectful and compassionate overview.The author does wax political and/or socialist at times, but mostly sticks to the fascinating lives of William and Catherine Booth.Written with heart and soul, this book is a rewarding read.This couple should be remembered more often than they are in secular circles for the enormous contribution they made to British society, and the continuing service the Salvation Army renders to the poor and jobless.A beautiful book!

Stick to Politics Roy!
William and Catherine Booth endured this kind of humanist gossip throughout their marvellous ministry. It is highly significant that no Salvation Army personel recommend this book. The author, being unsaved, and a senior British politician, concentrates on the radical social reforms the Booths and Salvation Army championed in Victorian Britain. Hattersley, sadly, hasn't a clue about salvation. It's akin to Scott of the Antarctic, frozen to death in his blizzard-bound tent, trying to commentate on a Barbados Test Match. Not only does this author not know his subject, but he has no idea of his subject's Subject. I suspect Roy's next book may portray Christ as a zealous Jewish Zionist with Marxist leanings. It's fluff. Dentist room reading only. Now Roy's even managed to write a book about John Wesley, characterising him as a lecherous toad. Don't waste your money.
For a far better biography of William and Catherine Booth, one written by a Christian, get Trevor Yaxley's (ISBN 0764227602). And for John Wesley, read John Pollock's biography.

A Remarkable Partnership
William and Catherine Booth were both remarkable. Many past biographers of one or the other have found it difficult to concentrate on their chosen subject, as the other keeps intruding. Roy Hattersley has solved that problem. He has written about the two of them.

The story is engrossing. William Booth, the pawnbroker's assistant, became a Methodist minister, then an itinerant evangelist, before founding the East London Mission, which eventually became The Salvation Army. Catherine, brought up by Methodist parents, met William in London in 1852, where they fell in love and soon became engaged. It was to be three more years before they were able to marry; at one time during that period they endured over 14 months of almost unbroken separation.

They formed a dynamic partnership, each complementing the other. William was an action man, a whirlwind who swept all before him. Though he was not unintelligent, he was anti-intellectual and repeatedly ignored Catherine's frequent urgings for him to study. Catherine by contrast had a powerful mind, wrote forcefully, argued convincingly, and, in spite of her shyness, became a powerful preacher. She had strongly held views about Christians abstaining from alcohol and women being allowed to preach. It is no coincidence that The Salvation Army has always taken a strong stand against alcohol, and women have been prominent in its ministry. Two of its Generals have been women.

One of the fascinating aspects of the Booths' story is the motley crowd of eccentrics they attracted to their flag. Many of their early soldiers were recruited literally from the streets, and then immediately put to work to win others to Christ. Some were illiterate, some had been drunks, others prostitutes. This particular volume, however, does not quite capture that diversity. Though The Salvation Army is probably most often thought of today as an organization engaged in social work, the Booths were first and foremost evangelists. To them the social work was secondary, both in terms of emphasis and chronology.

Roy Hattersley, the author of this book, was a cabinet minister in a British Labour Government, and his political background gives the book an interesting slant, particularly when he examines The Salvation Army's social work. The book does, however, have some problems. Hattersley seems out of sympathy with the Booths' religious convictions, and tends to sound rather condescending when discussing them. He also does not understand some basic Christian terms such as "sanctification", and frequently uses them inappropriately.In addition the book has too many avoidable errors, which suggests it may have been a rushed job. But it remains both very readable and enjoyable, and is a worthy tribute to two great Christians.

Stick to Politics Roy!
It is highly significant that no Salvation Army personel recommend this book. The author, being unsaved and a senior British politician, concentrates on the radical social reforms the Booths and Salvation Army championed in Victorian Britain. Hattersley, sadly,hasn't a clue about salvation. I suspect Roy's next book may portray Christ as a zealous Jewish Zionist with Marxist leanings. Well written fluff. Now Roy's managed to write a book about John Wesley characterising him as a lecherous toad. Don't waste your money.

For a far better biography of William and Catherine Booth, get Trevor Yaxley's. And for John Wesley, read John Pollock's.

Who really founded the Army?
For those of us who have grown up in the UK Roy Hattersley's wit and intellect has long been well known.For those of us who are also Salvationists the prospect of Hattersley writing about the founders of the movement we love and serve filled our minds with a sense of forboding.

We needed not worry. Hattersley writes well, every word being closely considered, and brings what is for me the best biography I have yet read about these icons of The Salvation Army.In a "no punches pulled" account, which propels one forward with a real idea of the Booths' enthusiasm and obsession, one reads about how the movement began, survived and ultimately prospered.Unlike many in-house accounts there is no glossing over of the shortcomings of these very human beings, rather we learn how, fired by what the Booths would consider Divine Inspiration, they "pressed forward to the mark of their high calling".

Hattersley concludes "It is not necessary to believe in instant sanctification to admire and applaud their work of social redemption."To those of us who do believe we not only admire and applaud but also see the hand of God in all that the Booths did.Hattersley notes that the Army is the only breakaway group from schismatic 19th century Methodism which survives into the twenty-first century.Many of us who believe know the reason - "Blood and Fire" gives enough evidence for every reader to reach his or her own conclusions. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

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From the Preface by the Late General: Surely no man has ever been called upon to make, or direct the making of, so many Song Books as I have. It is no little consolation at seventy to know that millions of people in every part of the world are singing God's praises together as a result of the efforts he has helped me to put forth or to direct for their good. Yet is has seemed good to me at this time to attempt something like a thorough selection of those songs which we have found most useful in all lands, so that my people may have a larger storehouse of songs that may be used for all occasions, and that they may the more easily see what I would have them leave behind, and what preserve, translate and use. ... Read more

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Those people in uniforms who ring bells and raise money for the poor during the holiday season belong to a religious movement that in 1865 combined early feminism, street preaching, holiness theology, and intentionally outrageous singing into what soon became the Salvation Army. In Pulling the Devil's Kingdom Down, Pamela Walker emphasizes how thoroughly the Army entered into nineteenth-century urban life. She follows the movement from its Methodist roots and East London origins through its struggles with the established denominations of England, problems with the law and the media, and public manifestations that included street brawls with working-class toughs.

The Salvation Army was a neighborhood religion, with a "battle plan" especially suited to urban working-class geography and cultural life. The ability to use popular leisure activities as inspiration was a major factor in the Army's success, since pubs, music halls, sports, and betting were regarded as its principal rivals. Salvationist women claimed the "right to preach" and enjoyed spiritual authority and public visibility more extensively than in virtually any other religious or secular organization. Opposition to the new movement was equally energetic and took many forms, but even as contemporary music hall performers ridiculed the "Hallelujah Lasses," the Salvation Army was spreading across Great Britain and the Continent, and on to North America. The Army offered a distinctive response to the dilemmas facing Victorian Christians, in particular the relationship between what Salvationists believed and the work they did. Walker fills in the social, cultural, and religious contexts that make that relationship come to life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

interesting informationof early Salvationists, which Iam one
Pulling the Devil's Kingdom Down: The Salvation Army in Victorian Britain Just finished reading ,Pulling the devils Kingdom down. I have read many books on The Salvation Army. This is not another history book on the start of TSA. A lot of research went into this book and it is very clear that the early Salvation Army was a challenge. God in a wonderful way has raised up His Army of Salvation to some 119 countrys with over one million members where the sun never sets on the ,yellow,red and blue blood and fire flag. Come Join our Army to battle we go. Interested in church history this a great read .. Henry Armstrong Winnipeg ... Read more

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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

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A ground-breaking study devoted to the subject of gender equality within the early Salvation Army in Britain. Judging the organisation by its long-standing claim to provide women with an equal right to ministry and leadership, Eason argues that the Salvation Army was found wanting in its overall commitment to sexual equality. He carefully traces the Victorian and evangelical factors that helped to undermine this egalitarian ideal. ... Read more

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The emergence of the Salvation Army within the context of Victorian England was theologically a part of the late nineteenth century holiness revival. This book examines the historical and theological influences on William Booth's decision to abandon sacramental practice (1883), and investigates the relationship between the Salvation Army's pneumatology and its non-sacramental theology. By placing the theology of the early Salvation Army in the context of Victorian society, the Wesleyan revival, and the nineteenth century holiness movement, the author interprets Booth's non-sacramental position as the subordination of ecclesiological and sacramental concerns to pneumatological priorities. ... Read more

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The Salvation Army is like no other church on the planet, so unique, in fact, that few people realize it's a church. No other church covers their amazing breadth of action; no other organization performs without regard to public acclaim or reward; and no other church makes such a huge, no-strings-attached effort for non-membersA Salvationist's faith is, above all, practical. It's Christianity with skin and shoes on. This not a Kum Ba Yah kind of crowd.Bette Dowdell grew up in The Salvation Army, her mother and father both officers, as the Army calls their clergy. Her loving, laugh-out-loud memoir describes how her family conquered obstacle after obstacle, and it introduces a cast of characters you'll want to meet. Dowdell writes:"I did not grow up in a vanilla family. Vanilla is comfortable, fairly predictable and somewhat bland. That doesn't describe us.Some people believe the opposite of vanilla has to be dysfunctional, where anger, rage and lack of connection rule the roost. That doesn't describe us, either. We had love to spare, with parents who gave us dreams to dream and a big leg-up on the future.Our lack of vanilla predictability came from growing up in The Salvation Army, with constant moving, difficult circumstances and almost no money. But, here's the key: None of us realized we had it hard; we each thought we were living a life of privilege.At the hub of all this optimism was Daddy, a once-in-a-lifetime man, ably assisted by Mother, always ready to take whatever hill appeared on the horizon. This is their story. To give you an idea, people who knew Daddy routinely refer to him as either Sir Charles or Saint Charles. That's the kind of effect he had. To know him was to understand the meaning of awe. Brilliant, good looking, a gifted speaker, gifted musician, gifted athlete-heck, gifted pretty much everything-and yet with a firmly grounded ego that focused on others.And Mother wasn't exactly chopped liver. Together they raised five children once described by a sister-in-law as "intimidating as" (I'm paraphrasing here) all get out."On We March: A memoir of growing up in The Salvation Army has the love and morality of Little House on the Prairie, but isn't vanilla. And it has the energy of The Three Stooges, but isn't wacky. Its stories will make you laugh a lot and maybe cry a little. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Onward Christian Soldiers . . .
I couldn't wait to read Bette Dowdell's memoir.I too grew up in the Salvation Army.And yes, it's all there.Frequent moves, strange places to live, low salary (when there is any), the heavy connection with the British, but the good times too.It is indeed the Army, our very own Salvation Army and we love it despite all.

The only thing I missed was hearing a bit more about the participation of the children in so many actual services, but I think Dowdell's era was more recent than mine though she doesn't give dates. I wanted to hear about the kids musical instruments and playing on street corners.Yes, even in the Army politics can't be avoided.

A charming story of growing up in something that's always been there, but rarely thought about
The Salvation Army - few have put thought into it beyond witnessing the man dressed as Santa ringing a bell. "On We March: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Salvation Army" is Bette Dowdell's story of growing up under parents strongly involved in the organization. Painting a bright picture of the company, it draws upon the strong faith Bette gained growing up in life. Not afraid to laugh a little, "On We March" is a charming story of growing up in something that's always been there, but rarely thought about.

Memoir from the Heart
Had she told only the good things, this memoir of growing up in the Salvation Army would not be near as powerful. The tale revolves around her father, Charles Dowdell, who she reveres as one beaming tower of a man. One would think that a church hierarchy would be exempt from the politics played out continually in any corporate structure. The opposite is true; it's worse here. Sometimes the family found themselves without food or transportation, assigned to decrepit quarters only a hallway from the transient population, and protected only by the dogs her mother meticulously trained. Undaunted and unmoved, Major Dowdell, uncomplaining, soldiered on, eventually right on out of the Salvation Army. It's inspiring that after changing schools every year or two and growing up on donated clothes and food, this daughter pens a heartfelt thank you. What a story!

Ding-a-Ling, Ding-a-Ling, Ding-a-Ling . . . the Story of Those Wonderful Bell Ringers
I have always loved the Salvation Army for the wonderful contributions their soldiers make for the Lord. A special part of Christmas for me is listening for the bells ringing to encourage people to donate to the kettles and heading over to put some money in. After reading On We March, I've added a new pleasure . . . asking the bell ringers about how they came to work for the Salvation Army and their experiences. It has been a great blessing.

For those who don't share my love of Salvation Army bell ringers, I encourage you to read On We March which portrays a child's perspective on what it is like to grow up in the Salvation Army. Ms. Bette Dowdell brings great verve and humor to her story telling. The Dowdells are not people who are easily discouraged.

I was fascinated to learn that the Salvation Army families often go without salaries so that poor people can be served. This is certainly in the best sense of following the Lord's direction to "follow Me" and not worrying about how one's own needs will be served. I also thought that no one moved around more often than members of the U.S. Armed Services. The Salvation Army families seem to move three times for every move that the Armed Services make. It's a hard but rewarding life that brings the family closer to the Lord in some very unexpected ways.

I have rarely read a memoir that expressed more love for a father than Ms. Dowdell's depiction of her father, who seems to have been as close as people on earth ever get to acting like angels.

Ms. Dowdell hopes you will want to give more money to the Salvation Army after reading this book (although she isn't currently part of that fine organization). Well, she succeeded with me. I doubled my contributions this year.

May God bless the Salvation Army and the wonderful families like the Dowdells who serve in it.

On We March- A delightful read for me!
How fun to get to peek in on the Dowdell family. They truly were and are Soldiers of the Cross.An incredible walk the walk memoir of Christian living.That shall live on for all eternity.Is your name written in the Book of Life? Keep marching onward knowing that those who do shall reap the gift of Life.On Easter morning Sir Charles Dowdell would say, "He is Risen."And you had better respond by saying, "He is Risen indeed!"Thank you for letting me walk beside you, Charles, as you rest in Him.And thank you, Bette Dowdell, for letting me reach in and feel the Love and Joy and some times the heart ache you experienced as you grew up in The Salvation Army!Keep marching on! ... Read more

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This work attempts to classify and cite all the literature in English about and by The Salvation Army, from Booth's "Darkest England" to Shaw's "Major Barbara". Approximately 5000 titles are arranged chronologically, by nine subjects, three of which are further subdivided by specific topic. ... Read more

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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

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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

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Linked to a six-part Channel 4 television series, this is an exploration of the inner workings of the Salvation Army as it tries to adapt to changing times through corporate restructuring without compromising its ideals. The book focuses on various aspects of the organization's work, including the two-year officer-training programme, care for the homeless (the Salvation Army is the second-largest provider of social services after the government), and the family-tracing service which locates at least 12 people every day. Looking beyond current concerns, the author examines the Army's history, and the principles which inspired William Booth in 1865 and continue to guide his followers today. ... Read more

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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