similar to Foxe's Book of Martyrs, in that it consists of a series of unrelated short stories of various Christians and their persecutions.

At first it was hard to read, going through all the suffering and death. But as I kept reading, it became not stories of misery, but stories of victory. It was inspiring. ( )

A must-read. Sobering, challenging, disturbing and inspiring. Short vignettes of Christians who have faced or are still facing persecution, especially at the hands of Islamic Extremists, but sometimes even from the hands of their own families. I had to read only a few chapters at a time...and usually ended with a time of prayer both asking the Lord to enable me to be faithful, but more in support of those facing such horrors. Most of the names have been changed to protect the individuals who are still in tentative, to not say, dangerous situations. I Am N portrays these brothers and sisters in a relaistic manner. Some have gone through such horrific attacks and still have both bitterness and forgiveness in their hearts; others have totally forgiven and pray for their persecutors in a truly Christlike fashion. May we support however we are called and pray, pray, pray. One story spoke of how the Lord acted through prayer to enable a brother to survive and even worship the Lord through the worst attacks he suffered. ( )

This is the best book I have read on persecution of Christians around the world. It is also up to date, dealing mainly with attacks by ISIS and similar groups.

I liked this book mainly because it is real. I have read so many books that sensationalise or focus on the supernatural. Even books that claim that the only way for Muslims to be converted is for Jesus to appear to them in a dream. Whilst the book has a few examples of this nature, mostly it proves that God is still working through the methods that he has clearly outlined in the Bible--the preaching of the Gospel to the unconverted. The book also proves that it is not always God's will for us to be safe and protected or to flee from a situation of danger. There are those who have remained and who continue to stand strong risking their lives to share the Gospel before it is too late for others.

In a world in which even small acts that suggest allegiance to Jesus-asking foreign visitors for a Bible, not responding to the Muslim call to prayer, asking questions of a known Jesus follower- can trigger horrible retribution, courage that is rooted in God's power and faithfulness is essential.

The book gives a short summary of each case, giving a little of the background, the conversion and then the persecution and sometimes the aftermath. Each chapter contains Scripture that relates to the individual story.

These stories are about people who are truly being forced to carry their cross on a daily basis. They are doing this joyfully and have made huge sacrifices. They are focused completely on eternity and the life to come...not on earthly things. They are often new believers, Muslim converts, and have endured terrible things for the sake of Christ. They put a lot of us to shame as we groan and complain when a little trouble comes our way. What if we were facing death every day or a family member was threatened with torture? What if we never felt safe, EVER?

The only thing that I would have changed is that I would have preferred fewer stories with more detail about each case. I appreciated that the book was written by Voice of the Martyrs (a mission organisation,) in my view, this makes it more credible than if an individual author or journalist had written it. There is never any way to establish whether an author is just trying to make a big name for themselves by sensationalising. There is usually a lack of corroboration with these stories as they contain personal testimony.

I was encouraged, challenged and convicted by this collection of testimonies and would recommend this book to any Christian who wants to step out of their comfort zone or just to get some perspective on their daily struggles which will likely pale in comparison...

There is no bad language, there were some references to rape without details. There was graphic violence which in some cases was difficult to read. However, it was factual, not gratuitous and as it is not relayed in the first person it is not as dramatic as it might otherwise be. ( )