Official Review: Sojourners of the Wilderness

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 20 Jun 2015, 05:02

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sojourners of the Wilderness" by Traci Renae Marrs.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Sojourners of the Wilderness by Traci Renae Marrs is a Christian nonfiction book about the author's trip to Israel in 2012. She traveled with a group of 170 people on a mission to worship God in strategic locations while touring Israel. Each chapter gives a detailed account of the days she spent in Israel. She gives the history behind each place they visited and often includes the biblical significance or the personal significance it has in her life. She also shares her testimony throughout the book, which makes her writing similar to both a memoir and a devotional.

As a Christian with Jewish roots, I have always wanted to go to Israel. This book makes me want to go even more. Traci includes many fascinating historical facts; however, I found much of it hard to read because there is too much new information to digest. She travels to several different places each day of her trip, so the book jumps through many different historical and biblical lessons in each chapter. It is difficult to absorb it all at one time. The phrase “less is more” applies in this case. The book would have been easier to read if the author had chosen one or two highlights from each day rather than listing every place she went and the historical significance of each one.

Many times, I felt disconnected from what I was reading due to a lack of cohesiveness. For instance, in one chapter she talks about the tabernacle, which was interesting but then goes on to some other topics. In the next chapter, there is more about the tabernacle. My brain just can not keep up with it going back and forth like that. If this had been written in the format of a devotional, I could understand having the topic switch with each devotion. However, trying to read a whole chapter in one sitting is a challenge.

I appreciate much of the content in the book. There are several points in the book that personally speak to me. I always love it when I learn something from a book that I can apply to my life. I think this book has so much biblical content on so many different topics that any Christian will find something to appreciate.

I have to mention that there are a few minor grammatical errors in the book. Several times, the writing switches back and forth between tenses. It is not a major issue, but I did find it confusing at times. Other than that, the book is edited well.

Finally, even though I think there is too much information in each chapter, the content is well-researched and interesting. For that reason, I give Sojourners of the Wilderness 3 out of 4 stars. I do not think it deserves a lower score. However, if I was rating it out of 5 stars, I would probably still keep my rating at 3 stars.

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Sojourners of the Wilderness
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NadineTimes10 · Post by **NadineTimes10** » 20 Jun 2015, 16:24

Interesting review! Also interesting to hear about your roots. I recently ordered a book by a woman whose parents, if I recall correctly, are a Christian and a Jew. She calls herself half-Jewish, half-Gentile. It'll be interesting to read about the dynamic in her book.

And I understand feeling like I'm on information overload with a book! Sometimes books like that take me weeks, months, or even years to get through, even when the info is good. I just need time to chew on it. (Hahaha, it's too bad a reviewer doesn't have the luxury of spending years with a review book.)

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 20 Jun 2015, 19:54

Thanks NadineTimes10! Very true, I was concerned about being able to finish it in a reasonable amount of time. I'm the type of person who likes to read books straight through, if possible.

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 20 Jun 2015, 20:29

Good review. Not my kind of book, but an interesting take on a devotional.

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 20 Jun 2015, 21:36

Thanks bluemel4!

Jesska6029 · Post by **Jesska6029** » 22 Jun 2015, 13:49

Great review! This is not my cup of tea, but the book does sound interesting!

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 22 Jun 2015, 20:23

Jesska6029 wrote:Great review! This is not my cup of tea, but the book does sound interesting!

Thank you!

amybo82 · Post by **amybo82** » 05 Jul 2015, 18:54

This doesn't sound exactly like my type of book, but your review is very well written! Nice job!

Tanaya · Post by **Tanaya** » 20 Aug 2015, 12:18

Traci includes many fascinating historical facts; however, I found much of it hard to read because there is too much new information to digest.

Many times, I felt disconnected from what I was reading due to a lack of cohesiveness.

You brought up some good technical points. Despite the errors, it sounds like a fascinating read. Great review!

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 25 Aug 2015, 08:54

You have written an outstanding review, Rachaelamb1. With ample critique for a potential reader to consider. I've read a similar book before (not Christian but something on faith) where the scenes are just too chaotic to follow, so I'll probably steer clear of this book.