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The Salvation Army 150 Years of Blood and Fire
In 2015 the Salvation Army celebrated the 150th anniversary of its birth in the poverty and squalor of London’s East End. Today the Army is to be found in towns and cities throughout Britain, its members readily recognized through their military uniform and their reputation for good works widely acknowledged. Many people, however, are unaware of the origins and subsequent development of the organization. At times Salvationists were imprisoned, beaten up in street riots and ridiculed in the press for their religious beliefs. Despite this persecution the Army put in place a program of help for the poor and marginalized of such ambition that it radically altered social thinking about poverty.
There have been very few attempts at writing a wider and accessible account which locates the Army in its historical context. This is something of an omission given that it has made a unique contribution to the changing social, cultural and religious landscape of Britain. The Salvation Army: 150 years of Blood and Fire aims to provide a history of the organization for the general reader and is for anyone who is interested in the interplay of people, ideas and events. The book reveals how the story of the Salvation Army raises fundamental questions about issues of power, class, gender and race in modern society; all as pertinent today as they were in Victorian Britain. The Salvation Army: 150 years of Blood and Fire also makes an extensive use of pictures illustrative of the Army’s history gathered from around the world, most of which have never previously been published.
There have been very few attempts at writing a wider and accessible account which locates the Army in its historical context. This is something of an omission given that it has made a unique contribution to the changing social, cultural and religious landscape of Britain. The Salvation Army: 150 years of Blood and Fire aims to provide a history of the organization for the general reader and is for anyone who is interested in the interplay of people, ideas and events. The book reveals how the story of the Salvation Army raises fundamental questions about issues of power, class, gender and race in modern society; all as pertinent today as they were in Victorian Britain. The Salvation Army: 150 years of Blood and Fire also makes an extensive use of pictures illustrative of the Army’s history gathered from around the world, most of which have never previously been published.
240 pages, ebook
Published October 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 25, 2022
When the Salvation Army was started they didn’t have nonprofits all over the world, nor did people have more than one place to turn to. At the time the Salvation Army helped anyone who needed their help they receive letters that most people would write to dear love ones asking for their help but instead they were sent to strangers because they had no other place to turn. When Mrs. Booth received the letter from a girl who had fallen pregnant by a man who abandoned her and then she tried to kill her self by lying on the train tracks, but instead she lived through it but had to get her legs amputated and then she gave birth to her daughter a few months later . Mrs. Boothe was moved by this The girls letter and gave her a job and she was able not only to raise her daughter but to pay her way. This wouldn’t be the first personal charitable thing mrs. Booth and those who came after would do for the less fortunate. This was a great book about 150 years of a charity that was there at every terrible event that we steer clear of they go to the front lines and help where they can. I truly enjoyed this book it now but the Salvation Army will have a personal story attached to it it makes it so different for me. I know every charity started with one good person but a lot of them have lost their way and the people who manage the charities get more from the donations then the people they collect the money for. I don’t at all think the Salvation Army is that way. I totally enjoyed this book I was given this book by net galley and the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.
June 25, 2022
I had a vested interest in this book. My husband grew up as a Salvationist and I actually met him as a teenager working at a SA summer camp. If you have a connection or interest in the Army then this book is going to interest you. It's a good book but definitely a bit of a niche audience.
I learned quite a bit about history in general with this book (And now know why the Army has always been against alcohol. At the time in England that the Army was formed alcoholism was rampant, as the government had made beer so cheap it was cheaper to buy than tea or coffee.) and a lot about the founders and history of the army.
When the Army was formed the idea of a church wanting to help someone living in poverty was groundbreaking. The poor were not welcome in the church and the Army came along and embraced them. They also stood up for gender and racial equality, something quite groundbreaking for the time.
There can be no denying the good the Army has done and still does. But there can also be no ignoring their flaws and discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. I was pleased to see this author didn't try to whitewash the flaws and instead pointed them out and said that change was needed.
All in all it was a bit dry at times but kept my interest. The history and story of the Salvation Army was handled even handedly and fairly, something which I greatly appreciate.
Thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I learned quite a bit about history in general with this book (And now know why the Army has always been against alcohol. At the time in England that the Army was formed alcoholism was rampant, as the government had made beer so cheap it was cheaper to buy than tea or coffee.) and a lot about the founders and history of the army.
When the Army was formed the idea of a church wanting to help someone living in poverty was groundbreaking. The poor were not welcome in the church and the Army came along and embraced them. They also stood up for gender and racial equality, something quite groundbreaking for the time.
There can be no denying the good the Army has done and still does. But there can also be no ignoring their flaws and discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. I was pleased to see this author didn't try to whitewash the flaws and instead pointed them out and said that change was needed.
All in all it was a bit dry at times but kept my interest. The history and story of the Salvation Army was handled even handedly and fairly, something which I greatly appreciate.
Thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2022
Fascinating book, I'm not religious but have interest in how salvation army started
They sadly had struggles due people not understanding the good they do
Very well written worth reading
They sadly had struggles due people not understanding the good they do
Very well written worth reading
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews