Renaissance man Albert Schweitzer’s long and storied life (1876–1965) as a missionary, doctor, philosopher, and organist is distilled into a concise parable, centered around his multiple sojourns in West Africa, where he established a hospital. A Christian author and speaker, Gire (At Peace in the Storm) delivers Schweitzer’s life as a homily, presenting his subject’s “philosophy of reverence for life” in potent, accessible imagery: treating patients, personally laboring in hospital construction, nurturing injured animals. Clear prose and spiritual inspiration generally supersede details and absolute fact. Conversations are “surmised and assumed,” and “a couple of characters” are admitted to be inventions (though it isn’t clear which ones). Through such literary liberties, Schweitzer is given an expository voice, using casual conversations to provide backstory to his rich life. Though his depiction of the doctor is a generally objective narrative, Gire’s faith occasionally emerges in religious phrasing, which may alienate non-Christians. The birth of Schweitzer’s daughter becomes the “promise of God,” and a financial boon at his mission hospital makes it a “great day for the kingdom of God.” This approach condenses the 90-year life of a noble humanitarian into a brief motivational sermon, an uncomplicated summation of Schweitzer’s life suitable for an interested Christian fellowship. Agent: Greg Johnson, WordServe Literary (Apr. 16)
Revere life, and give yours away for the sake of serving others.As a young man, Albert Schweitzer seemed destined for greatness. His immense talent and fortitude propelled him to a place as one of EuropeÆs most renowned philosophers, theologians, and musicians in the early twentieth century. Yet Schweitzer shocked his contemporaries by forsaking worldly success and embarking on an epic journey into the wilds of French Equatorial Africa, vowing to serve as a lifelong physician to ôthe least of theseö in a mysterious land rife with famine, sickness, and superstition. Enduring hardship, conflict, and personal struggles, he and his beloved wife, H?l?ne, became French prisoners of war during WWI, and H?l?ne later battled persistent illnesses. Ken GireÆs page-turning, novelesque narrative sheds new light on SchweitzerÆs faith-in-action ethic and his commitment to honor God by celebrating the sacredness of all life.The legacy of this 1952 Nobel Prize honoree endures in the thriving African hospital community that began in a humble chicken coop, in the millions who have drawn inspiration from his example, and in the challenge that emanates from his life story into our day.Albert Schweitzer seemed destined for greatnessùand he achieved it by making his life his greatest sermon to a world in desperate need of hope and healing.
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Answering the Call: The Doctor Who Made Africa His Life: The Remarkable Story of Albert Schweitzer
Revere life, and give yours away for the sake of serving others.As a young man, Albert Schweitzer seemed destined for greatness. His immense talent and fortitude propelled him to a place as one of EuropeÆs most renowned philosophers, theologians, and musicians in the early twentieth century. Yet Schweitzer shocked his contemporaries by forsaking worldly success and embarking on an epic journey into the wilds of French Equatorial Africa, vowing to serve as a lifelong physician to ôthe least of theseö in a mysterious land rife with famine, sickness, and superstition. Enduring hardship, conflict, and personal struggles, he and his beloved wife, H?l?ne, became French prisoners of war during WWI, and H?l?ne later battled persistent illnesses. Ken GireÆs page-turning, novelesque narrative sheds new light on SchweitzerÆs faith-in-action ethic and his commitment to honor God by celebrating the sacredness of all life.The legacy of this 1952 Nobel Prize honoree endures in the thriving African hospital community that began in a humble chicken coop, in the millions who have drawn inspiration from his example, and in the challenge that emanates from his life story into our day.Albert Schweitzer seemed destined for greatnessùand he achieved it by making his life his greatest sermon to a world in desperate need of hope and healing.
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Answering the Call: The Doctor Who Made Africa His Life: The Remarkable Story of Albert Schweitzer
Answering the Call: The Doctor Who Made Africa His Life: The Remarkable Story of Albert Schweitzer
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940173567789 |
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Publisher: | Nelson, Thomas, Inc. |
Publication date: | 09/17/2019 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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