180: Stories of People who changed their lives by changing their minds

[Michael Graham]

Just curious as to what people are thinking about this book that was published by The House Studio. I have heard good and bad things. I am going to be ordering the book soon. Thanks.

[Billie Goodson]

I thought it was excellent. There are so many times when people say "I can't change"... This book gives us many examples of people who have changed -- real life experiences. I think there are good insights into where people came from, where they got to, and sometimes how the path appeared. If we are about changing the life of others, this book can help us focus on the different aspects of change. Many will find a mirror story to their own, sometimes knowing we are not so alone is a help in taking our eyes off the ground and looking up. And isn't that a much better view.

[Jon Twitchell]

I thought it was a great concept for a book, and the execution was well done. While you may not always agree with the direction of change expressed in a particular chapter, the book is an interesting study in the process of change. I thought it would be particularly useful for a student going away to college for the first time, as they will be challenged in many areas, and will probably experience a great deal of change in the years ahead.

While we recognize that change is not always good, change is an essential component of our spiritual growth. Without change there is no growth.

[Rich Schmidt]

I just read something about this book written by Eric Barger that was posted on various Concerned Naz sites. Of course, Eric didn't approve.

[Jim Abrams]

I just read that same post. He seems to be anxious over the idea that 180 out right rejects the word of God and encourages young people to do the same. I can't speak to that because I haven't read it but I find it hard to swallow.

[Ryan Scott]

I was pretty critical of the book, not so much because it's a bad book - it's not - but because it wasn't what I expected from them. I think what's there is mostly well written and it will appeal to a different audience. It might even make them a good amount of money so they can continue to fund other projects that might not get so much attention. I've been privileged to work with The House quite a bit during the last year; I'm excited about what they're doing.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

I only got through two-thirds of it and didn't finish it. I loved the concept and was excited about it at first, but I found the brevity of each chapter to be somewhat choppy. I was looking for more fleshing out of one's change of heart/mind/soul in and of itself. It felt to me instead that it was a book to show the various topics that people are changing their minds about. I knew that already and am more interested in the discussions/reasons/difficulties behind the change. But I believe it could be beneficial for others.

[Betty Bolerjack]

I only got through two-thirds of it and didn't finish it. I loved the concept and was excited about it at first, but I found the brevity of each chapter to be somewhat choppy. I was looking for more fleshing out of one's change of heart/mind/soul in and of itself. It felt to me instead that it was a book to show the various topics that people are changing their minds about. I knew that already and am more interested in the discussions/reasons/difficulties behind the change. But I believe it could be beneficial for others.

Thank you for putting into words what I couldn't seem to. I read it to do a review, but just couldn't figure out what to say about it so I'm sorry to say that I never sent in the review. While I did find some of the stories inspirational and thought provoking, I agree that they were too short and choppy feeling. Fewer stories with more "fleshing out" would have been much more inspirational, IMO.

[Ryan Scott]

I only got through two-thirds of it and didn't finish it. I loved the concept and was excited about it at first, but I found the brevity of each chapter to be somewhat choppy. I was looking for more fleshing out of one's change of heart/mind/soul in and of itself. It felt to me instead that it was a book to show the various topics that people are changing their minds about. I knew that already and am more interested in the discussions/reasons/difficulties behind the change. But I believe it could be beneficial for others.

That's sort of where I came down. For a number of the chapters it didn't really seem like people changed their minds so much as were forced to think about something they'd only had relatively shallow perspectives on previously. I also was turned off by the number of contributors who seemed to be professional authors/freelancers. To me it seemed less genuine than "real people" writing them. Again, I think there are a lot of people who will love and benefit from this book. It just wasn't for me.

[Gina Stevenson]

It felt to me instead that it was a book to show the various topics that people are changing their minds about. I knew that already and am more interested in the discussions/reasons/difficulties behind the change. But I believe it could be beneficial for others.

While I did find some of the stories inspirational and thought provoking, I agree that they were too short and choppy feeling. Fewer stories with more "fleshing out" would have been much more inspirational, IMO.

Was one who volunteered to review it, too; didn't get it finished and felt badly about that. Being a writer/editor, I tho't it would be something neat to take on ... but life here overwhelmed me, and I didn't get it returned, sorry to say. But, from your combined synopses, Jeremy & Betty, sounds like enough of those could encourage them to put out an expanded edition II, fleshing out details to make the folks therein more touchable ... seem more "real."