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cdwink's review
3.0
This book is written based on the author's experiences and from her perspective. I really appreciated the first half of the book discussing affluence and autonomy. But in the second half (discussing safety and power) I found myself wanting more facts and details and less of her experience. I think there are other books that do a better job and that go into more depth on the topics of safety and power.
lukenotjohn's review
4.0
I loved Mayfield's first book, [b:Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith|27213189|Assimilate or Go Home Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith|D.L. Mayfield|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1452463966l/27213189._SY75_.jpg|47255176] and had high hopes for this one too. Having read both, I'd describe them as fraternal twins; in ways identical enough that an essay from one could be swapped for the other, and both obviously rooted in her experience as a white post-evangelical woman living and working in proximity with refugees in an American context, but there are some subtle differences. The first book felt more intimate in some ways, closer to the center of the memoir genre and thus exploring the impact on Mayfield's particular life, faith, and outlook on the world. This book feels a bit more outwardly focused, explicitly tackling the ways those observations ripple out with implications for our world at large. However, I was a bit surprised that the contrast wasn't sharper between them, and I personally think that approaching the structure or organization of the book slightly differently could've improved it. Because it's a collection of essays rather than a series of chapters, the arguments don't necessarily build but often repeat, which felt a bit clunky at times (I found this especially true in the first section, "Affluence.")
With my primary critique out of the way, I definitely appreciated, enjoyed, and have already recommended the book to others. I think Mayfield's thesis is spot on and a necessary corrective to the American civil religion that runs rampant throughout the Christian landscape. Through a combination of research, theological reflection, and anecdotal evidence from her own life, she does an excellent job of critiquing the cultural pillars of affluence, autonomy, safety, and power that essentially operate as unchecked idols. Mayfield locates herself, at times begrudgingly or with stressed (a cynic might say feigned) humility, as a prophet and a poet of our current context. Her writing, shaped by her experiences being "led by exiles" through close relationship with her refugee neighbors, is a righteously angry critique of America's systemically sinful past and present, a grieving lament of the countless ways it fails to be the nation its myths purport it to be, and also a poem that shimmers at the edges of beauty and celebration in hopes of sowing seeds for a different world where flourishing for all is within reach. This is most poignantly communicated in the essay "Waking Up Sad," which was my favorite of the collection and worth the price of the book itself.
With my primary critique out of the way, I definitely appreciated, enjoyed, and have already recommended the book to others. I think Mayfield's thesis is spot on and a necessary corrective to the American civil religion that runs rampant throughout the Christian landscape. Through a combination of research, theological reflection, and anecdotal evidence from her own life, she does an excellent job of critiquing the cultural pillars of affluence, autonomy, safety, and power that essentially operate as unchecked idols. Mayfield locates herself, at times begrudgingly or with stressed (a cynic might say feigned) humility, as a prophet and a poet of our current context. Her writing, shaped by her experiences being "led by exiles" through close relationship with her refugee neighbors, is a righteously angry critique of America's systemically sinful past and present, a grieving lament of the countless ways it fails to be the nation its myths purport it to be, and also a poem that shimmers at the edges of beauty and celebration in hopes of sowing seeds for a different world where flourishing for all is within reach. This is most poignantly communicated in the essay "Waking Up Sad," which was my favorite of the collection and worth the price of the book itself.
haleywarren's review
5.0
This is such a timely and helpful book! Since reading, the ideas of Power, Affluence, Autonomy, and Safety haven't left me; I keep seeing iterations of them everywhere. Some of the stories in the book too are so beautiful that they have continued to stick with me. I am encouraged and excited to love others creatively in the kinds of ways displayed in this book.
A lot of books like this often leave me feeling overwhelmed or depressed without hope or next steps. This is not a hopeless book! It really helped me to be confronted with the problems in myself and the world and still come away feeling encouraged about moving forward. It is also just a really enjoyable read and the writing is engaging and beautiful. The structure of the book makes it easy to read and remember the ideas. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book!
A lot of books like this often leave me feeling overwhelmed or depressed without hope or next steps. This is not a hopeless book! It really helped me to be confronted with the problems in myself and the world and still come away feeling encouraged about moving forward. It is also just a really enjoyable read and the writing is engaging and beautiful. The structure of the book makes it easy to read and remember the ideas. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book!
jamiep's review
5.0
“I started this book by looking at the way Jesus announced his ministry: he was bringing good news to the poor, the captive, the blind, the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. I wanted to examine the opposite values—affluence, autonomy, safety, and power—and to pay attention to how strong they are in my life and in the larger narrative of the American experiment.”
I think the thing I like the most about Mayfield’s books is that she doesn’t tell us what to think or what to do specifically. She voices concerns, gives data, and laments. It’s an easy read, but gave me much to ponder and ruminate over. Although the book is mostly about the ills of broken society there is hope scattered throughout that change is attainable.
The book is a series of essays (sadly not as many stories as her other book Assimilate or Go Home but still plenty). Some I agreed with wholeheartedly and some I bristled at. Many points that we would do well to consider.
I think the thing I like the most about Mayfield’s books is that she doesn’t tell us what to think or what to do specifically. She voices concerns, gives data, and laments. It’s an easy read, but gave me much to ponder and ruminate over. Although the book is mostly about the ills of broken society there is hope scattered throughout that change is attainable.
The book is a series of essays (sadly not as many stories as her other book Assimilate or Go Home but still plenty). Some I agreed with wholeheartedly and some I bristled at. Many points that we would do well to consider.
wrongvswrite's review
4.0
The "American Dream" Mayfield thinks about is synonymous with empire. She turns our focus toward practicing kingdom living. I was really encouraged by thinking through the four myths:
-Affluence (financial wealth as a measure of morality)
-Autonomy (individualism/my "rights")
-Safety (fear of the Other and the illusion that we're going to outsmart death)
-Power (fighting for control instead of trusting God)
My only critique would be that within each of the four parts, the chapters are collected essays/meditations that don't really build on each other.
-Affluence (financial wealth as a measure of morality)
-Autonomy (individualism/my "rights")
-Safety (fear of the Other and the illusion that we're going to outsmart death)
-Power (fighting for control instead of trusting God)
My only critique would be that within each of the four parts, the chapters are collected essays/meditations that don't really build on each other.
henryhaney's review
4.0
Wow. This book revealed and challenged mindsets that I didn’t even know I had. It left me with a lot to wrestle through in regards to the values of American culture as well as the inconsistencies between much of church culture and the Kingdom of God.
“A prophet is someone who helps ensure that the truth comes to light, that what is hidden in the depths of our hearts and in our social, political, economic, and theological systems comes to the surface for us to actually deal with.”
“A prophet is someone who helps ensure that the truth comes to light, that what is hidden in the depths of our hearts and in our social, political, economic, and theological systems comes to the surface for us to actually deal with.”
nobookendinsight's review
5.0
A book can change a mind or start a movement. Especially when it’s as good as D.L. Mayfield’s book on considering and rethinking how we typically define the American dream and what that means for ourselves and our neighbors. This book starts a much needed discussion on who actually holds all the power in this country. It made me think and consider my own attitudes and actions without giving easy answers or a checklist of steps to fix our divisions. Each essay on what Mayfield is thinking about and experiencing encourages us all to do the same. If the American Dream is a myth, what then is our truth?
ebree123's review
5.0
A wonderful, wonderful first book of the year and also the first five star Christian book I’ve read in a minute. A book of dismantling, reassembling, and questioning the American narrative of supremacy and consumerism, and what it means to exist as a member of a religious majority that manages to hold on to power and insist it is oppressed simultaneously.