Out of the Best Books: Eternal Truths from Classic Literature by S. Michael Wilcox-Blog Tour Review

Product Details

• Title: Out of the Best Books: Eternal Truths from Classic Literature
• Author: S. Michael Wilcox
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc. (October 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1524407852
• I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

 Book Summary
From Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables to Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, the characters of classic literature have stood the test of time. There are countless reasons to pick up a good book—but is it possible to find eternal truths in secular works? In Out of the Best Books, Latter-day Saint scholar S. Michael Wilcox demonstrates that when it comes to learning gospel principles, truth can shine forth in all good works—and literary classics are a prime example.
With underlying lessons on life, faith, and eternal characteristics, secular works can inspire as surely as religious volumes. It is through the experiences of characters like Atticus Finch, Elinor Dashwood, and Ebenezer Scrooge that their authors' inspired words have the power to create life-changing lessons for readers. Learn to find inspiration, wisdom, and spiritual knowledge in the age-old classics. God is in every good thing—you just have to look.

My Review
I truly enjoyed reading Out of the Best Books: Eternal Truths from Classic Literature. I have read many of the books Author S. Michael Wilcox talks about in his new book. Even though I've read these books before, my mind has been enlightened by looking at it's characters and words in a different way. 

Some of the themes high-lighted were:(Quoting from the book)

•  Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol-"That happiness lies in what we bring to life, not in what life brings to us. Also, if we would change the world, we must begin with ourselves."
•  Harper Lee: To Kill A Mockingbird-"Atticus raises his children on the foundation of trying to walk in other people's shoes and see things from their prospective... That is what it means to love your neighbor as yourself."
• Victor Hugo: Les Miserables-"The novel follows Valjean's never-ceasing attempts to live a redeemed life...One of the great truths Jean Valjean offers us is the sometimes unsettling reality that the battles of life are never over...Jean Valjean's last word's to Cosette,'Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another'.

I wish I could put in this review all of the things I underlined and that touched my heart. I especially loved the chapter where the author talked about how many stories in Children's Literature for years have been teaching children about gospel truths, beliefs, values, and doctrine. My favorite example he gave was from C.S. Lewis's, The Chronicles of Narnia and the wonderful character Aslan, the great Lion, the Christ-like character who said, "That by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."

I know that this is a book that I will go back and read again. There is so much to learn and be gained by reading, Out of the Best Books:Eternal Truths from Classic Literature.

Meet Author: S. Michael Wilcox

S. Michael Wilcox recently retired as an instructor at the institute of religion adjacent to the University of Utah. A frequent speaker at Brigham Young University Education Week, Michael also conducts tours of the Holy Land, Church history sites, Europe, China, Antarctica, and Central and South America. He received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Brigham Young University, a master’s in media from the University of Arizona, and his PhD from the University of Colorado in educational philosophy. He is the author of many books and talks, including Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God; Finding Hope, and his most recent work Twice Blessed. Michael lives in Draper, Utah, and he and his late wife, Laurie, are the parents of five children.

 Purchase the Book Here: https://amzn.to/2NK9kor