THE RELUCTANT GENERAL by Herb Sennett

THE STORY OF ONE WOMAN'S POWER

TO INFLUENCE THE FATE OF A

NATION

(from Dr. Sennett's website)

THE RELUCTANT GENERAL
A Novel about Ancient Israel
by
Herb Sennett


 INTRO
(from Amazon)
 The story of Deborah and Barak from the biblical book of Judges describes amazing courage and fortitude beyond modern comprehension. In this modern retelling of the old story, Herb Sennett brings to life the people of 1150 BC in such a way that their hopes, dreams, struggles, pain, and suffering help us face our own problems in the light of God's willingness to help his people whenever they are threatened with extinction. The Jewish people of that day knew little of warfare and tactics, but they were able to defeat the most powerful army of the day and then conquer the most heavily defended city in the area. This novel tells of their struggle to live free of oppression and fear through their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  
Paperback: 250 pages    Publisher: WestBowPress (January 28, 2014)   Language: English    ISBN-10: 1490818073   ISBN-13: 978-1490818078


AUTHOR
Herb Sennett was born in Atlanta, Georgia, after which his parents moved to South Norfolk, Virginia, where his father became pastor of the South Norfolk Church of Christ. As a product of a small, blue-collar bedroom community near Norfolk, Herb learned quickly that to succeed, a person must focus on achieving one's dreams. Over the past forty years, Herb has had a distinguished career as a college professor and as an Army Reserve Chaplain. Herb has authored two academic books, numerous articles in major journals, four stage play scripts and five screenplays. Herb now spends his time at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, teaching part-time and writing full time. He has recently produced two short movies and has completed two new novels nearly ready for publication.  Herb Sennett spent the last thirty years as a college professor. He was trained in speech and drama education and holds master's degrees in speech and theater as well as a PhD in theater from the Louisiana State University. He also holds master's and doctoral degrees in religious studies. Herb has produced, directed, and/or written three dozen stage plays and eleven short films. He served six years in the pastoral ministry and twenty-eight years in the US Army Reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. In 2010, Herb decided to bring his years of research and training to a new creative effort, writing novels that are historically accurate as well as compelling and exciting to read. Herb believes some of the greatest stories ever written are in the Bible, and it is these stories he wishes to share in a new and exciting way for the modern world. Herb lives in South Florida with his wife of more than forty-five years. They have two children and one grandson.

 REVIEW   Year 1150 BC
 The author wrote a story of Barak and the prophetess/judge Deborah, both from the Old Testament.  Dr. Sennett used facts from the Bible and did fill ins with fiction of what might have been.  Even with the fiction, Dr. Sennet has stayed with the actual book of Judges. The author tells of the people of Israel and the attacks from the Canaanites.  At the time they were the largest army known.  The Canaanites went in and took down one Israeli village and then one more until they were a rubble of nothing.  The children were spared but everyone else was killed. The reason the children were spared was that they were to be living sacrifices for the idol worshipped by the Canaanites.  These children were to be burned. The Israelites were outnumber. They were farmers and herdsmen not soldiers.  Then God, chose Barak to take this group of Israelites against the Canaanite army.God selected judges to lead the people.  They were spiritual leaders who took are off problems, disagreements and battles.  This is the time when men were in charge of everything, but God made Deborah, Judge in Israel.  This title was only held by seven in history.The author gave us a story of courage and bravery.  A story that is rather hard to believe.  These Israelites that were nothing but farmers and herdsmen were going to take on the Canaanites.    This to me seemed disaster in the making.  Will they have a chance against the biggest army?  Or will they fail and be destroyed? The story is a story of facing and defeating oppression and fear of the Canaanites.  Will their faith carry them through? Faith can work miracles, if you only believe.

I would give this book 4 STARS.

I was given a complimentary copy of THE RELUCTANT GENERAL from the author, Herb Sennett for my view of the book.  No other compensation took place.

 

LINKS
http://bemiown.blogspot.com 
bemiown@yahoo.com 
http://www.novelsbyherb.com/contact-herb.html 
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1054723663 
http://www.amazon.com/review/R193VGTJPK92QP/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1490818073 
http://www.herbsennett.com/