Tag Archives: Book Reviews

Feb201009

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Obstacles Welcome by Ralph de la Vega, 2009

So, it has been two months since my last blogger book review. After my previous read I was looking forward to my next book from Thomas Nelson but unfortunately my expectations weren’t met.

Obstacles Welcome is the story of Ralph de la Vega’s rags to riches progression to becoming the President and CEO of AT&T Mobility. My expectation of the book was a roller coaster story of personal development and growth, but instead it turned out to be a business theory book intertwined with elements of Ralph’s journey.

Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the theory and it is clearly effective in practice. Personally though, I found that I didn’t connect with the story and what should have been a compelling biography read more like a group of case studies from a university text book.

This is a pity as one cannot deny that Ralph is clearly a dynamic leader and gifted businessman. Obstacles Welcome is not the book for me; however, I recommend it to all those entrepreneurs out there interested in business development and growth.

You can find out a little bit more about Ralph on the site created for this book: http://www.obstacleswelcome.com

Nov200925

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Kabul 24 by Ben Pearson & Henry Arnold, 2009

This is my first book review for Thomas Nelson publishers. I am a supporter of their approach which provides bloggers with free books in exchange for reviews – great win-win idea! Anyway, here’s to many more books and blog reviews – enjoy.

kabul-24Kabul 24 captures the story of a group of Christian aid workers who risked their lives to serve the people of war-torn Afghanistan. The common thread that ties the aid workers together is the organisation they are a part of, Shelter Now International (SNI). The aim of SNI is to come alongside refugee communities and serve, love and care for them and provide for their day-to-day needs.

This true life story is set around the time of the 9/11 terror attacks and imminent American invasion of Afghanistan. The atmosphere surrounding the SNI team in Kabul rapidly changes becoming tense and unpredictable. A sense that things could go horribly wrong starts to creep up on the team; and what they certainly hoped would not happen, does. They find themselves caught up in a hostage drama that only God can pull them out of.

My opinion of this book certainly improved the further I progressed. I pushed through the first 50 pages, which I found rather weak, and I am glad that I did. I felt that more historical context could have been given to the characters and the SNI organisation. Once into the main body of the story, I found myself wrapped up in the emotion of the situation. I had found a good companion for my evening commute.

I found this story personally challenging and humbling, particularly the risk taken to serve these refugees. I am left wondering what is to become of Afghanistan. Such anger, deception and brokenness – one can only hope that God has a plan to heal and restore. Overall Kabul 24 is a good read and a book I recommend.