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ncrabb's review
4.0
A couple of caveats if I may. I make no pretense of being able to be objective about this book or its subject matter. President Russell M. Nelson is someone whom I love and admire, and I have benefited directly and in quantifiable ways from his excellent leadership as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is a sense of urgency and purpose in his leadership that exceeds that of many of his predecessors, remarkable as they were. So, I can’t promise objectivity. I hope to point out a reason or two for you to at least take a look at this. I need to confess here that I didn’t read nearly a third of the book. The final seven hours is a compendium of all the annual events and activities in which Nelson participated from 1960 to 1978. I may have inadvertently cheated myself out of some fascinating reading here, but it all felt a bit too photo caption-like for me to endure it long. Add to that the bleak quality of the narration, and you have a perfect recipe for skipping much of the book.
The author asserts early that his children and grandchildren are the real target audience here. And indeed, they are. This is not a biography where you’ll learn about the renowned heart surgeon who pioneered lifesaving techniques throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s that revolutionized the field of heart surgery. He makes brief and early reference to his work here, and you’ll pick up on fascinating facts about those pioneering efforts. But Nelson isn’t prone to aggrandizement. He matter-of-factly talks about something he accomplished, but only in brief terms, and he credits God with enabling him to enhance his skills. There are interesting stories here about leaders of the restored Church of Jesus Christ on whom he operated, sometimes under emergency situations. It will add much to your interest in the book if you have at least a working knowledge of who these people are.
If I could sum up this little book, which doesn’t cover President Nelson’s life after 1978, I would characterize it as a full-on celebration of family and friends, and the expression of an unwavering commitment to God—a commitment that remains a hallmark of his leadership. This is the story of a man who vigorously worked to maintain good health. At 97 years old he shows no signs of any real diminishing. He reportedly gave up downhill skiing only a few years ago. Those much younger than he who are in leadership positions in the church complain good-naturedly that they have difficulty keeping up with Nelson.
Each of his 10 children get their own chapter here, and each chapter is a tribute of love to that child regardless of its age at the time he wrote the book. He credits his wife, who died several years after he completed this book, with being the linchpin of his success. (President Nelson has since remarried.)
While I wouldn’t classify the book as preachy, it is an unabashed expression of faith and testimony. Nelson forever puts to rest the debate about whether a man of science can be a man of God simultaneously.
The author asserts early that his children and grandchildren are the real target audience here. And indeed, they are. This is not a biography where you’ll learn about the renowned heart surgeon who pioneered lifesaving techniques throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s that revolutionized the field of heart surgery. He makes brief and early reference to his work here, and you’ll pick up on fascinating facts about those pioneering efforts. But Nelson isn’t prone to aggrandizement. He matter-of-factly talks about something he accomplished, but only in brief terms, and he credits God with enabling him to enhance his skills. There are interesting stories here about leaders of the restored Church of Jesus Christ on whom he operated, sometimes under emergency situations. It will add much to your interest in the book if you have at least a working knowledge of who these people are.
If I could sum up this little book, which doesn’t cover President Nelson’s life after 1978, I would characterize it as a full-on celebration of family and friends, and the expression of an unwavering commitment to God—a commitment that remains a hallmark of his leadership. This is the story of a man who vigorously worked to maintain good health. At 97 years old he shows no signs of any real diminishing. He reportedly gave up downhill skiing only a few years ago. Those much younger than he who are in leadership positions in the church complain good-naturedly that they have difficulty keeping up with Nelson.
Each of his 10 children get their own chapter here, and each chapter is a tribute of love to that child regardless of its age at the time he wrote the book. He credits his wife, who died several years after he completed this book, with being the linchpin of his success. (President Nelson has since remarried.)
While I wouldn’t classify the book as preachy, it is an unabashed expression of faith and testimony. Nelson forever puts to rest the debate about whether a man of science can be a man of God simultaneously.
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