“We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man without gaining something by him.” He who walks with the wise grows wise. Proverbs 13:20 We become like those we think about, read about and/or spend time with. We all need heroes in our lives to inspire us. Take some time this month to read about someone who made a difference. Come by the library and check out one of these inspiring biographies. The reviews that follow are taken from the publishers’ book jackets. Same Kind of Different As Me Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent. It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana and an East Texas honky-tonk and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda, an upscale New York gallery, a downtown dumpster and a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, it also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love. This is the true story of a dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery, an upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel and a gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. It is a story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it and it took place in Fort Worth, Texas. The Unusual Suspect The Unusual Suspect: My Calling to the New Hardcore Movement of Faith by Stephen Baldwin with Mark Tabb. In this unusual celebrity book, one of Hollywood’s well-known Baldwin brothers offers a highly entertaining and inspirational look at his life, from growing up in a famous family to becoming part of God’s. It reveals Baldwin’s almost unbelievable transformation from hardcore party boy to the hardcore man of faith he is today. He tells how he happened upon Christianity via a most unusual conversion and how that has radically changed the way he lives his life. His story will encourage your faith and remind you that God is working in a mighty way in our culture today. It’s All About Him It’s All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life by Denise Jackson with Ellen Vaughn. This unusual story doesn’t have a “happily-ever-after’ ending that’s tied up neatly with a nice, pink bow. As Denise relates so poignantly, life these days is more unpredictable than ever. But in her journey with God, she’s found she doesn’t worry about trying to control what’s coming next … for life can be a great adventure when it’s all about Him. That’s why Alan and Denise Jackson’s story isn’t just a great read and a dramatic, intimate look at the golden world of celebrity. It’s a story of the greatest love of all, the love that will never let you go … and how to find it, no matter who you are, where you live, or what you’ve done. John Adams John Adams by David McCullough. This is history on a grand scale – a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Brilliantly written by Pulitzer Prize winner, David McCullough, this enthralling and surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived is often drawn from an outstanding collection of Adams family letters and diaries. In particular, the more than one thousand surviving letters between John and Abigail Adams, nearly half of which have never been published, provide extraordinary access to their private lives and tell one of the most moving love stories in American history. Amazing Grace Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas. This accessible biography chronicles Wilberforce’s extraordinary role as a human rights activist, cultural reformer, and member of Parliament. At the center of this heroic life was a passionate twenty-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, a battle Wilberforce won in 1807. Metaxas discovers in this unsung hero a man of whom it can truly be said; he changed the world. Before Wilberforce, few thought slavery was wrong. After Wilberforce, most societies in the world came to see it as a great moral wrong. Also available is the Amazing Grace DVD, based on this book. Luther Luther: Biography of a Reformer by Frederick Nohl. Martin Luther had one goal: peace with God. He didn’t find it in the holy relics and indulgences of the church or in life as an obedient monk. Luther discovered God’s treasure of truth buried under human laws and regulations. He discovered the Gospel in the Word of God. Luther took his stand on that Word, defying the highest authorities in the church and state. In so doing, he started the oldest continuing evangelical movement in history. This is Luther’s dramatic story. Also available is the Luther DVD. 131 Christians Everyone Should Know 131 Christians Everyone Should Know from the Editors of Christian History Magazine. If you think history is boring, take about 3 minutes and scan through this book. Then zero in on an article. You may find you can’t read just one! Spending time with these Christians will forever enlarge your view of the church and inspire you to deeper thought and greater faithfulness. This book is perfect for those who want to have a deeper appreciation of our Christian heritage! Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives: Rediscovering Some Old Testament Characters by Charles R. Swindoll. Success in God’s kingdom and in the church depends upon faithful people the public rarely knows. In this eighth volume of the best-selling Great Lives from God’s Word series, Chuck will examine little-remembered Bible characters and events. He will help you discover biblical principles and practical applications for living so that you can be who you are in God’s estimation … a person of true significance.