Reviews

Let Justice Roll Down by John M. Perkins, Shane Claiborne

stacikristine's review against another edition

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5.0

This book was incredible. Even though it was published in the late 70s, it is extremely relevant today. John Perkins is one of my new heroes of the faith.

cfrakes12's review against another edition

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4.0

What can you say about the resiliency of John Perkins? A truly insightful read about the history behind a great civil rights leader but more so about a man of God who caught a vision for true Gospel unity in community. This is a life well lived that will reap rewards long into eternity with Jesus.

shanella's review against another edition

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5.0

“They were like savages - like some horror out of the night. And I can’t forget their faces, so twisted with hate. It was like looking at white-faced demons. Hate did that to them.

But you know, I couldn’t hate back. When I saw what hate had done to them, I couldn’t hate back. I could only pity them. I didn’t ever want hate to do to me what it has already done to those men.”

If anyone had a reason to hold on to hate, it’s John Perkins. In this biographical book, he outlines some of the major incidences where he witnessed and was faced with injustice. The way he handled these situations were surprising and thought provoking.

The beginning opens with the story of how his brother was killed. He continues by explaining the state of the church and his life (as well as his spirtual views), he shares his beliefs and how his experiences shaped his faith and ultimately his reaction to those around him. While standing up for the blacks in his community, he was wrongfully jailed and beaten, almost to death, yet he kept on living a faith-filled life.

This book was quite the emotional journey. It sheds light on the injustices of the not so distant past, a very important reminder for me and a way for me to better deal with the present. Let Justice Roll Down is a stark reminder of how we can hurt one another, even under the disguse of religion and truth. The quote above resonated deeply within me, and seemed to me to be a large theme running through the entire book. Hate turns a person into a savage. It’s easy to hate, to lash out and try to destroy those who hurt you, but how do you love them? And how does justice - the idea of fairness - fit into this?

His story leaves the reader with a lot to reflect on. I can’t stress how much I recommend that everyone read this book. It places you in an uncomfortable place, but I think that’s its worth.

morganperks's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

I'm so glad I picked this book up. John M. Perkins is inspiring and insightful.

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gabbailey's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

hmch's review

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5.0

Though written in the 1970's, this book feels very current. I marked several passages that felt like they were speaking directly to events from this year. It is a short book written in a very straight forward, easy-to-understand manner, yet it has a lot of depth and breadth. John Perkins tells his own personal story about gaining and maintaining faith, hope, and love in the face of incredible adversity and about how he learned to join together with other people to fight injustice and poverty and transform his local community.
Best non-fiction book I've read this year.

ctsmith53's review

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5.0

Remarkable book about a remarkable man and the ministries and movements he started. From a poor share cropping and bootlegging family in the Jim Crow South, Perkins was transformed by Jesus Christ and emerged as a bold, compassionate, visionary, and sacrificial leader. His legacy is astounding. Perkins is one of my heroes, and though I read this book 20 years ago, I enjoyed picking it up and reading it again.
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