William Booth by Janet & Geoff Benge {A Book Review}

This post contains affiliate links.  When we picked up the book William Booth by Janet & Geoff Benge, I had no idea what to expect.  I didn’t even know who he was.  I soon discovered that Booth founded the Salvation Army.  His story was an intriguing one, even if I did disagree with some of his decisions in his personal life.

About William Booth by Janet & Geoff Benge

What a life William Booth led.  His parents apprenticed him to a pawn broker when he was young, which made him deeply empathize with poor people who were trapped in a cycle of poverty.  When he was only 15, he began preaching in the streets, and he attracted the less than desirables of society at the time.  He walked them all to a local church, but the congregation was appalled by the new church goers who were dirty and stinky.  Booth was upset that they weren’t welcomed and soon started preaching in open air places where his followers seemed more comfortable.

Along the way, he married a woman, Catherine.  Not long into their marriage, Booth learned that Catherine felt drawn to preaching, too.  Even though she was a woman in the mid-1800s and by society’s standards shouldn’t have a job as a preacher, Booth embraced her calling and supported her.

William and Catherine went on to have many children, and all of them worked together to build and grow the Salvation Army.  Unfortunately, toward the end of his life, Booth’s children had a falling out directly related to the Salvation Army.

My Thoughts on the Book

I enjoyed reading how the Salvation Army started and why it was called an army.  I respected all of Booth’s hard work to help the poor and change society’s views of the poor.  He made a huge difference in people’s lives.

However, I disagreed with how he treated his family sometimes, especially when a few of his children left the Salvation Army over a dispute with their older brother.  Booth cut those children completely out of his life, which I disagree with vehemently.

I give William Booth by Janet & Geoff Benge 4 out of 5 stars on the Mom’s Plans’ scale.

Read More

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Charles Mulli: We Are Family by Janet & Geoff Benge {A Book Review}