Esau McCaulley

Compelling stories well told prove moving and influential. Esau McCaulley tells his story in such a way in How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South (galley received as part of early review program).

The memoir is framed around the author’s experience when confronted with the death of his father and the eulogy he would have to present. The author then set forth his story: raised in northern Alabama by a hard working, engaged, yet medically disabled mother; a father out more than in and on drugs; in an environment in which everything and everyone seemed to work against any real material advancement.

The author explained well how being a decent football player gave him the ability and motivation to try to succeed, even though injury would compromise that career. He would be able to graduate and go to college, and he speaks well regarding his experience in a mostly white college.

Throughout it all is a story of faith: the faith of his mother, the faith he developed, the preachers in his background, and his journey to his current position as a major Black theologian and author. He takes solace in his father’s work toward sobriety and rekindling of faith.

It is always challenging to review a memoir or autobiography, since who is the reader or reviewer to cast aspersions or judgments upon a person’s reflections on their lived story? I can easily imagine how the memoir could be weaponized as an indictment of the kind of culture in which the author grew up while lionizing the author as one who was able to advance himself by his own skills. Such a reading would be unfortunate and an attempt to reinforce one’s ideological priors. Instead, the memoir is compellingly written to explain both how his community was marginalized and systemically discriminated against and how such fed into a host of poor decisions.

McCaulley already established himself as a profound and must-read Black theologian with his Reading While Black, and How Far to the Promised Land goes a long way to help explain why. A highly compelling read and very much recommended.… (meer)

"Lent requires preparation, and this book shows us how to do just that. Esau McCaulley's Lent is an invitation to live into the Scriptures, practices, and prayers of Lent afresh, calling and equipping us to experience the gravity of sin, but also the expanse of God's grace and mercy. Whether you are a new or seasoned observer of Lent, this book is invaluable preparation to live into the contrition and true repentance to which this holy season invites us." (Teesha Hadra, rector of Church of the Resurrection Los Angeles and author of Black and White: Disrupting Racism One Friendship at a Time)

"Esau McCaulley has given Christ-followers a gift. But like all gifts, you have to receive it and open it up. In Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal, Esau updates the ancient pathway of Lent so we can connect deeper with Jesus, his church, and his kingdom." (Derwin L. Gray, author of How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and the First Christians Knew, about Racial Reconciliation)

"Esau McCaulley is a gift. He is the rare blend of a first-rate mind married to a huge heart for God and neighbor. This neighborliness comes out in two ways. As a public theologian writing for the New York Times and others, Esau shows his ability to provide clear thinking at the intersection of church and culture. In Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal, Esau shows his pastor's heart, his love for the church, and his passion to help Christians grow in faith. I commend Lent to everyone who is curious about, or committed to, the practice of Lent in their local church." (Todd Hunter, Anglican bishop and author of Deep Peace: Finding Calm in a World of Conflict and Anxiety)

"Christians who might have thought Lenten observance was for somebody else will want to let Esau McCaulley guide them into the promise of this church season. Saturated with biblical wisdom, McCaulley's practical guide is the perfect introduction to newcomers to this practice of self-examination and renewal. Moving beyond the superficiality of 'giving something up,' McCaulley takes us into the life-giving purposes for which our forebears offered this gift." (Garwood Anderson, dean of Nashotah House Theological Seminary)… (meer)

“A riveting book that invites you into the personal journey of one of the finest writers alive today.'" (Beth Moore, New York Times bestselling author of All My Knotted-Up Life)

“Powerful . . . McCaulley uses examples of his own family’s stories of survival over time to remind readers that some paths to the promised land have detours along the way. "The Root, Books by Black Authors We Can’t Wait to Read)

“Esau McCaulley’s riveting memoir holds together tensions that many of us pry apart: systemic injustice and personal responsibility, accountability and forgiveness, honesty and sympathy. This book is prophetic without being preachy, and heartwarming without being cloying. . . . A triumph of storytelling. "Tish Harrison Warren, author of Liturgy of the Ordinary"

“In these pages are words that redeem time and refresh the human spirit. . . . The timeliness of McCaulley’s honest, hope-filled story—told with depth, precision, and purpose—feels like a balm for the weary soul.” (Charlie Dates, senior pastor of Salem Baptist and Progressive Baptist)

“With uncompromising honesty and deep introspection, McCaulley complicates the narrative of ‘overcoming racism and poverty as a hero.’ . . . Powerful and necessary.(Publishers Weekly starred review)

“As soon as I finished, I wanted to reread. McCaulley is already recognized as a great scholar and essayist, but this is his best writing yet. The storytelling here is both poetic and prophetic, free of both superficiality and cynicism. Read this book and the words will linger with you.(Russell Moore, editor in chief of Christianity Today)… (meer)