Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Strong: How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (and Can Do the Same for You)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Strong: How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (and Can Do the Same for You)

Catherine Parks,

Catherine Strode Parks (Goodreads Author)

4.73 · Rating details · 11 ratings · 4 reviews

Boys need strong role models.
In an age when the world is confused about what it means to be a strong man, boys need the examples of godly men who have gone before them. The eleven men in Strong are examples of true strength—men who stood firm when no one else would stand with them. As they read about these men, boys will learn about some familiar figures as well as those ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 224 pages

Published June 25th 2019 by B Kids

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Strong, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about Strong

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-34

Average rating 4.73 ·

Rating details

· 11 ratings · 4 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Strong: How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (and Can Do the Same for You)

Jul 07, 2019 Kim rated it it was amazing

Really inspiring and encouraging book not only for boys but for girls too.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 22, 2019 Doug rated it really liked it

Great book to inspire faith for both sons and fathers

In her new book, “Strong: How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (And Can Do the Same for You),” Catherine Parks tells the real-life stories of 11 men of God, ranging from the internationally well-known to the not-so well-known, to prove that God can use anyone who is completely yielded to Him and His will for their lives.

Published by B&H Publishing, Parks’ 224-page book is tailored for ages 8-14, mainly focusing on sons and Great book to inspire faith for both sons and fathers

In her new book, “Strong: How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (And Can Do the Same for You),” Catherine Parks tells the real-life stories of 11 men of God, ranging from the internationally well-known to the not-so well-known, to prove that God can use anyone who is completely yielded to Him and His will for their lives.

Published by B&H Publishing, Parks’ 224-page book is tailored for ages 8-14, mainly focusing on sons and fathers reading together the amazing, true stories of these 11 men, who display a specific character trait Parks highlights to show sons how they, too, can aspire to live lives of generosity, faith, courage, obedience, standing alone, knowing what matters, godly ambition, humility, compassion, sacrificial love and endurance – despite oftentimes numerous obstacles.

For example, in Parks’ profile on internationally-known German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, she shows how he showed courage in the midst of impossible odds, allowing God to use him to alter the course of history for the better. From risking his life to save the lives of precious Jews, to plotting to stop Adolf Hitler, one of the most heinous mass murders of the 20th century, Bonhoeffer showed incredible courage that only the Lord alone could have given him.

After each profile (which should have been arranged in chapters), Parks provides a summary, as well as questions for reflection on how the reader can apply what they had just read to their own lives. (One of the unique things about Parks’ book also is the large print, which makes it easier for young sons, as well as fathers, to better read the accounts of these brave and godly men.)

While Parks does a great service to these valiant men, she leaves out some very significant details. For instance, Alvin York, according to Parks, showed generosity. However, his life also inspired the 1941 Oscar-winning film, Sergeant York, the highest-grossing movie of that year. York was portrayed by Gary Cooper, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Still another example is the amazing life of Eric Liddell, who she said knew what mattered. What Parks didn’t include is Liddell’s life inspired the 1982 Oscar-winning film, Chariots of Fire, in which he famously said, “In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory, there is a glory to be found if one has done his best. God made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” It not only won the 1982 Oscar for Best Picture, it also won Oscars for Best Original Music Score, Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design.

In addition, she could have included such godly men as Oswald Chambers, A.W. Tozer, Watchman Nee, Hudson Taylor, Jonathan Edwards, John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, Andrew Murray, John Wesley, Francis Schaeffer and W. Phillip Keller, to name a few.

Overall, Parks’ book is well-written and very inspiring for fathers who seek to show their sons how to develop the same godly character and moral fiber that these 11 godly men displayed.

I gave Parks’ book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Full disclosure: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, I received this book free through B&H Publishing. My opinions are my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review.

© 2019 by Doug S., M.A.

...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 20, 2019 Fay Jacobsohn rated it it was amazing

Having read Empowered by the same author, a book about famous women for girls, I was delighted to see this book which is written in the same line for boys. This book is subtitled, “How God Equipped 11 Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Power (and Can Do the Same for You).” Strength can be other than physical. These men prayed for strength to endure, to be bold, to trust God, to be obedient and He gave them His strength and power.

Along with well-known names like Jackie Robinson, Jim Elliot, John Ne ...more

flag Like · see review

Apr 16, 2020 Caleb rated it it was amazing

Great primer for some great biographies! A good conversation starter for my school-aged kids, as well as a refresher and introduction for me to heroes of the faith!

flag Like · see review

Eric Trout rated it it was amazing
Apr 19, 2020

Jeff rated it it was amazing
Feb 17, 2021

run.mama.run rated it really liked it
Jun 03, 2020

Tina Giles rated it really liked it
Feb 17, 2020

Brooke Phelan rated it it was amazing
Aug 28, 2019

Palmer Williams rated it it was amazing
Dec 17, 2019

Tiffany rated it it was amazing
Sep 04, 2019

Fiction Aficionado marked it as to-read
Dec 28, 2018

Leigh marked it as to-read
Jan 19, 2019

Brittnee marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2019

Alyson marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2019

Reyna marked it as to-read
May 14, 2019

Kathleen marked it as to-read
Jun 19, 2019

Stephanie P is currently reading it
Jun 28, 2019

Bethany Bowen-Wefuan marked it as to-read
Jul 08, 2019

Rachel {bibliopals} marked it as to-read
Jul 08, 2019

Damaris Barrios marked it as to-read
Jul 10, 2019

Gabrielle marked it as to-read
Jul 13, 2019

Leslie added it
Jul 15, 2019

Monica Williams marked it as to-read
Jul 17, 2019

Melissa marked it as to-read
Jul 17, 2019

Kacie marked it as to-read
Jul 20, 2019

Faydra Stratton marked it as to-read
Jul 30, 2019

Honey marked it as to-read
Jul 30, 2019

Derek Irons added it
Jul 30, 2019

Beth Lev marked it as to-read
Aug 07, 2019

Amber Thiessen marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2019

Tracy marked it as to-read
Aug 09, 2019

Rachel marked it as to-read
Aug 28, 2019

Susy *MotherLambReads* marked it as to-read
Aug 29, 2019

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Biography

4 users

See top shelves…

About Catherine Parks

Catherine Parks

4 followers

Catherine Parks loves to help women build friendships around Scripture. She lives in Nashville with her husband, two children, and a cute mutt named Ollie.