Book Review: A Quaker Cupboard by David Madden

Welcome to my final review of 2011. It's been a year filled with many wonderful books. It is going to be difficult to choose the Top 10.

A Quaker Cupboard by David Madden is a book filled with Bible verses, quotes, friendly voices, and Quaker testimonies of SPICES (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Stewardship). The book opens with an introduction that explains about the Quaker concept "The Inner Light." It goes on to explain the Quaker testimonies of SPICES. A Quaker Cupboard is then broken down into six sections, each one dedicated to a particular testimony. A brief explanation of a testimony is followed up with Scripture, yearly meeting queries on the testimony, and then friendly voices on that testimony. A poem and a quote that encompasses the essence of a testimony rounds out each section.

When one thinks of Quakers, one might think of 17th Century Englanders who broke away from the Church of England. Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends or Friends Church, still exist today. I can't say I know a great deal about them, but I am always eager to explore new cultures and learn about people's faith.

Earlier this year, I reviewed Sprung from the Soil by David Madden. The author kindly also sent me a copy of A Quaker Cupboard to review. This short collection definitely provides insight into the Quaker faith of long ago, but also shares what is on the mind of modern-day members and their concerns as they try to abide by the SPICES testimonies. A quick read that includes several black and white drawings, I am glad to have this book among the other treasures on the shelf in my office.

All proceeds after printing costs will be used to fun community outreach by the Westerly Monthly Meeting, and, if requested, other monthly meetings as well.

Title:  A Quaker Cupboard
Author:  David Madden
Publisher: Garden Patch Books
ISBN:  978-0-9843119-1-0
SRP:  $15.95

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Book Review: Sprung from the Soil by David Madden

Take a trip back into days of old with Sprung from the Soil: A Series of Poems on Old Sturbridge Village by David Madden.

A childhood field trip to Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) inspired poet and author David Madden to develop his love of United States history. In this touching tribute, Madden shares 33 poems that take readers on a journey through OSV that leave you feeling like you've just paid them a visit.

I have visited Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts numerous times. I'm also a huge lover of American history. So when the author asked me to review Sprung from the Soil I was delighted.

With few exceptions, Madden has laid this beautiful poetry collection out in the order one would take walking through OSV. Sprung from the Soil, like the village it pays tribute to, takes us back to a time long forgotten; a time where televisions, computers, twenty-four hour news, and cell phones weren't even in the imaginations of Massachusetts residents. These were simpler times when children ran around barefoot unless going to church; where towns gathered in their meetinghouses; where apples were crushed into juice by mill stones and fermented into cider for Thanksgiving, and the blacksmith was a vital member of the community.

Madden celebrates this early America in every moving word of each verse. He paints OSV in the reader's mind, as vividly as the included artwork by Ian Newbury. His watercolor illustrations are stunning. From the Fenno House to the Thompson Bank, and from the Fitch House to the Saw Mill, Newbury's artwork is the perfect complement to Madden's lyrical prose.

Sprung from the Soil captures the importance of man living one with the land and the strength of a fine community. I would share this book with a friend, but I adore it too much to let it go. I know I'll be reading it again soon.

Title: Sprung from the Soil
Author: David Madden
Publisher: Garden Patch Books
ISBN:  978-0-9843119-0-3

Look for a reprint coming soon from Wild Animal Publishing!

This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for my honest opinions. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide this review.