Today we launch a special event in which many of our bloggers have volunteered to receive free review copies of The Crucible of Doubt by Terryl and Fiona Givens. They agreed to provide a completely honest review of this unusual book. Some loved it and some didn’t, but they also help you understand their background for the book. By reading so many reviews, you’ll be able to figure out if it’s the right book for you. All our bloggers are faithful Latter-day Saints, but they come from different backgrounds and approach the book in light of who they are.
The Crucible of Doubt is a book designed to help intellectual readers who are struggling with their faith find ways to approach and understand issues related to a perfect church run by imperfect people. It is also for those working to help these people. It is not a book for everyone, as you will come to see.
Terryl Givens is a professor of religion and literature at the University of Virginia. His wife, Fiona Givens, is a retired instructor of modern languages and is now an independent scholar. Brother Givens has written a number of books on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has co-authored several with his wife. Fiona Givens has published many pieces on her religion.
Each day a review appears this week, the link will be added to the list with a tag that clues you in to the blogger’s background. This will help you decide who might be most useful to you. Read them all to get a complete picture of the book from a diverse group of bloggers.
Reviewers:
Saturday, November 1: Valerie Steimle, approaching the book as a Jewish Convert and Intellectual Spouse
Sunday, November 2: Nanette O’Neal, approaching as an East Coast convert
Monday, November 3: Terrie Bittner, approaching as a convert and apologetics fan.
Tuesday, November 4: Tudie Rose, approaching as a reactivated Latter-day Saint.
Wednesday, November 5: Jane Thurston, approaching as a converted life-long member
Thursday, November 6: Britt Kelly, approaching as one who is exploring how we perceive our faith
Thursday, November 6: Richard D. Olsen, approaching as a Latter-day Saint in Utah
Sunday, November 9: Nanette finishes her review of the book, started last Sunday.
Patty Sampson adds her thoughts on the book.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
