Title: Small Beginnings
Author: Dennis R. McLeod
Publisher: Wild Side Publishing
Genre: Memoir/Religion
Pages: 250
ISBN: 978-0-473-40746-9 (ePub)
Reviewed by: Ella Vincent
Hollywood Book Review
Small Beginnings is the inspiring story of Dennis McLeod, a missionary who overcame a traumatic childhood to give his life to God. Readers will be encouraged by McLeod’s perseverance. This book starts with McLeod as a neglected child growing up in New Zealand. After enlisting in the military, he becomes a Christian and ultimately a missionary. Despite disappointments and tragedies that occur in his life such as a divorce and illness, McLeod brings his Christian faith to the continent of Africa, Israel, and his native New Zealand. Along his life’s journey, he writes about how his faith sustained him through all his circumstances to have a loving second marriage and a fulfilled life serving God.
McLeod’s writing is so personable, readers will instantly feel as if they know him. His stories about how he overcame self-doubt and neglect to become a confident missionary are insightful. He also adds Biblical verses to the chapters of the book to supplement his stories about his life. McLeod has a refreshingly optimistic outlook on life despite the hardships he faced. He doesn’t blame his parents for his past, but praises God for changing his future.
McLeod not only details his faith, but the faith of the people he meets around the globe. In developing countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe, McLeod noted the devotion of Christians there even when they only had churches made of sticks and dirt. He also noted how faith and kindness can overcome cultural differences, such as when he befriended Israeli and Palestinian people on the West Bank. Small Beginnings also has such vivid descriptions of the places McLeod travelled to in his work. Readers can easily imagine themselves in the sweeping mountains of New Zealand or the bustling streets of the Philippines as McLeod describes his missions.
Small Beginnings would be best for readers who want to grow in their spiritual faith. The memoir would be best for readers who like spiritual memoirs like Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand or David Gregory’s How’s Your Faith? The book could be shared in Bible study groups or in religious book clubs as well. Even readers who aren’t religious can find inspiration from McLeod’s triumph over his trauma.
Small Beginnings details how a man with a humble start in life can go on to great accomplishments. McLeod’s memoir will help readers to tackle their life challenges and to face their troubles head on. Readers will feel motivated by the moving story of McLeod finding his purpose in life through love and faith.