Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 112 pages
- Published by: FaithWords September 24, 2002
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 0446530697
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-0446530699
-
Book Dimensions:
7.3 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
- Weighs: 7.8 ounces
Product Review
Himself an inspiration to millions through his motivational speeches and bestselling books, John C. Maxwell reaches out to the leading icons of the Old Testament for the life and leadership lessons conveyed in his thought-provoking albeit slim
Running with the Giants. Maxwell, author of
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and a half-dozen other books on the topic, writes here that biblical personalities like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses can provide us with the real "inspiration, wisdom, and empowerment" we need to lead. For example, Maxwell explains, Noah's actions teach us that "one human being can make a difference"; he then fleshes out relevant maxims like "Don't be afraid to stand out in a crowd" and "Don't be afraid to do something for the first time" to bring this concept into the 21st century. Likewise, the servant girl from the book of Kings shows us how "one small act can make a big difference," but for it to happen today one must be confident and credible and "speak to people's needs." Those committed to the sources from which Maxwell draws will particularly appreciate his take on the lessons they impart, as well as his athletically inspired theme and contemporary presentation.
--Howard Rothman
From Publishers Weekly
Leadership guru Maxwell, who successfully bridged secular and Christian markets with such motivational titles as The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Developing the Leader Within You, draws on Old Testament paragons in this gifty inspirational hardback. Maxwell asks readers to envision the great "cloud of witnesses" (Heb. 12:1) said to surround us as we run the marathon of life, imagining that this cloud includes "the giants of the faith"-biblical heroes whose lives impart meaningful lessons. He includes the usual suspects: the David-tackles-Goliath tale demonstrates how people can rise above their limitations, while Noah exemplifies a willingness to take new risks (i.e., build a boat when no one had seen rain before). But there are bolder moments, too. Maxwell uses Rebekah as a model of generous giving (a welcome and underutilized virtue in business titles) and provides some gee-whiz facts to drive the point home: he estimates that to water Jacob's ten camels, Rebekah needed about 200 gallons of water, requiring forty trips to the well with a five-gallon jug. Such specificity helps to put a face on the virtues extolled here and offers readers a bit of insight into the Bible. Despite Maxwell's overarching metaphor of a marathon, though, the book as a whole feels more like a breathless sprint-intriguing points are raised throughout, but these promising gems lack development.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Reader ReviewsHaving read and reviewed most of Maxwell's other books, I am probably somewhat unfair when suggesting that he frequently recycles many of the same leadership principles. Stated another way, had I read only the one Maxwell book each time I was composing a review of it, I would probably rate each of the Maxwell books Five Stars. They are carefully organized, well written, and thought-provoking. The same is true of this volume in which Maxwell focuses on ten heroes and heroines from the Old Testament. He suggests that each manifests an important life and leadership principle: Noah (one person can make a difference), Esther (God has a place for you), Joseph (Don't give up on your dreams), Moses (live in the "faith zone," not the "safe zone"), Rebekah (give generously to others), Abraham (God always does the right thing), Nehemiah (no problem is too big when you have help), The Servant Girl (one small act can make a big difference), David (you can overcome the limitations others put on you), and finally Jonathan (strengthen a leader and save a nation). Maxwell devotes a chapter to each and concludes with a "Discussion Guide" based on the material provided in the given chapter. It is easy to list the names of the heroines and heroes, and, to list also the life and leadership principle each embodies. Far more difficult, obviously, to correlate their ancient cultures with our own. That is precisely Maxwell's point: However different cultures and individual circumstances may be, there really are some enduring values which are relevant to each. After I read this book, I was prompted to ask questions such as these. Have not contemporaries such as Gandhi made a difference? Was it not Mother Teresa's mission in life to give generously to others? Did Martin Luther King, Jr. ever give up on his dream? Were Gandhi, King, Sadat, and Rabin (to name but four) in a "safe zone" or a "faith zone" when assassinated? To varying degrees, ancient as well as contemporary heroes and heroines demonstrate in their lives and in their leadership of others the same principles and values which Maxwell affirms all of his many books. This one is different from the others in that it attracts our attention to ten individuals most of whom we seldom think about, much less appreciate, and from whom we can learn much of value if our hearts as well as our minds are both willing and able.
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