Amma: The Life and Words of Amy Carmichael

I am always apprehensive about buying sight unseen, but I rec'd all I could have expected. Except for the hi-lited areas, this book is in excellant condition (I TRY not to hi-lite in case someone else might read it, becausw I would be giving my opinion as well as the author's.). In the case of an Amy Carmichael book, it is nearly impossible not to hi-lite... it is like saying AMEN to her writing.. I am well pleased.

Some disconnected thoughts about this book (forgive my scatteredness):It takes a fairly literary modern mind to enjoy Amy's original books. She was a Victorian-era Irishwoman, after all, and-- well, how many Victorian religious writings do we read with ease? She's an amazing woman, but her writing's a little dense for most of us today. This book is still pretty dense-- but it does a great job of relating her writings to modern life (via the author's own reflections) while still presenting a very large amount of Amy's own original thoughts and poems. The result is an easier-to-read Amy Carmichael sourcebook that works both as a cover-to-cover and as a reference read.Skoglund groups Amy's writing topically by chapter rather than chronologically; this is not exactly a biographical book. If you open it looking for a strong plot, you'll be disappointed. However, if you open it looking for a fresh treatment of Amy's writing that enables you to access her wisdom on an array of subjects (and return to applicable chapters as you need her bracing words of encouragement), you will be delighted.I've read Eliot's biography and enjoyed it, but this is the one I pull out when I'm looking for something I remembered Amy saying. It's much more full of Amy's own words.

Amma was an amazing woman - this book deals with the timeless struggles of single missionary women in a way that is both inspiring and genuine. She speaks with honesty, but focuses constantly on God. A great book that shows all sides of the missionary life - the day to day struggles, and also the spectacular triumphs that come from years of seeking the Lord.