BYU Studies Quarterly
"Under Harline's care the typical missionary tale turns platitudes into perspective and demonstrates with humor that the most vital soul God wants us to save is our own. . . . Worth reading--twice."
Dialogue
"Harline has a gift for sensing the most universal of missionary experiences and capturing them with humor and insight."
Stone Campbell Journal
"A thoroughly engaging . . . challenging perspective of Mormon missionary life."
Jana Riess
-- author of
Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor
"How could a memoir that primarily deals with religion and rejection be so flippin' hilarious? Craig Harline's experiences as a Mormon missionary in Belgium in the mid-1970s are ingeniously funny, but they also point to important issues -- how religious people deal with apparent failure and navigate grown-up faith after childish certainties have proven inadequate."
Carlos Eire
-- author of
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy
"An incandescent and searingly honest memoir. . . . Earthy and spiritual all at once, Harline's eloquent account of his travails brims over with good humor and transcends confessional boundaries. Taking the reader from door to door, step by redeeming step, this pilgrim's journal ultimately reveals as much about the human condition as it does about the inner workings of Mormon foreign missions."
Randall Balmer
-- author of
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America
"Witty, poignant, and tender. The characters are unforgettable, and Harline's rendering of his interactions with them is luminous. . . . Utterly riveting and delightful."
-- Booklist
"By turns amusing and tender, an unvarnished and introspective reflection, humanizing a little-understood religion."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"Displays a fine mix of pathos and hilarity. . . . A touchingly human memoir."
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Delightful. . . . Readers will laugh out loud at Harline's misadventures. But this tale is, at heart, a reflection on how life doesn't always follow the rules set out by statisticians and spiritual advisers, and how growing up away from home can be profoundly unsettling. A thoughtful, wonderful read."
J. Spencer Fluhman
-- author of "
A Peculiar People" Anti-Mormonism and the Making of Religion in Nineteenth-Century America
"Harline tells his tale with such candor and warmth that the words spill beyond the boundaries of his own tradition. His story's Mormon particulars will fascinate readers of various stripes, but religious readers across traditions will see themselves in this sweet -- and often comical -- human soul's reach to comprehend God's work in a broken world."
Sam Cardon
-- Emmy Award-winning composer
"
Way Below the Angels is perhaps the most authentic and honest account ever written by a practicing Mormon of the unvarnished Mormon experience. In one moment hilariously funny and in the next heartbreakingly revealing, Craig Harline's story of his journey of self-discovery is filled with insight, humor, wit, and erudition. . . . All readers will learn something, most importantly, about themselves."
Russell Arben Fox
-- By Common Consent
"A beautiful, hilarious, and haunting book. . . . The best, most thoughtful, funniest and truest recreation of missionary life -- especially the internal life of a missionary -- that I've ever read. . . . This is a great book."
Julie Smith
-- Times and Seasons
"You can read an (excellent) book like
Unbroken and think: that was amazing, and it has nothing to do with my life. But you read
Way Below the Angels and think: this is me -- a kicked-over anthill on the inside, even when things are really not all that bad on the outside. . . . Harline provides an unusual kind of balm in the form of an epically raw and genuine account of his mission."
-- Hearts and Minds
"You know this has to be a good book for the editors of one of the most storied and prestigious religious publishers in America to offer it as one of their biggest titles of the season. No, this guy doesn't convert to Protestantism, and there is no grand conclusion, but, wow, does he write well -- colorfully and creatively . . . as he ponders the role of religion in his life, and in our culture. And did I mention he's a good writer?"
Way Below the Angels: The Pretty Clearly Troubled But Not Even Close to Tragic Confessions of a Real Live Mormon Missionary
Hardcover
|English
|080287150X
|
9780802871503
Way Below the Angels: The Pretty Clearly Troubled But Not Even Close to Tragic Confessions of a Real Live Mormon Missionary
Hardcover
|English
|080287150X
|
9780802871503
Overview
When Craig Harline set off on his two-year Mormon mission to Belgium in the 1970s, he had big dreams of doing miracles, converting the masses, and coming home a hero. What he found instead was a lot of rain and cold, one-sentence conversations with irritated people, and silly squabbles with fellow missionaries.From being kicked -- literally -- out of someone's home to getting into arguments about what God really wanted from Donny Osmond, Harline faced a range of experiences that nothing, including his own missionary training, had prepared him for. He also found a wealth of friendships with fellow Mormons as well as unconverted locals and, along the way, gained insights that would shape the rest of his life.
Part religious history, part coming-of-age story, part witty spiritual memoir, this book takes readers beyond the stereotypical white shirts and name tags to reveal just how unpredictable, funny, and poignant the missionary life can be.
ISBN: 080287150X
ISBN13: 9780802871503
Author: Craig Harline
Publisher: Eerdmans
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2014-08-14
Language: English
PageCount: 281
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.94 x 9.0
inches
Weight:
19.2 ounces
Description
When Craig Harline set off on his two-year Mormon mission to Belgium in the 1970s, he had big dreams of doing miracles, converting the masses, and coming home a hero. What he found instead was a lot of rain and cold, one-sentence conversations with irritated people, and silly squabbles with fellow missionaries.
From being kicked -- literally -- out of someone's home to getting into arguments about what God really wanted from Donny Osmond, Harline faced a range of experiences that nothing, including his own missionary training, had prepared him for. He also found a wealth of friendships with fellow Mormons as well as unconverted locals and, along the way, gained insights that would shape the rest of his life.
Part religious history, part coming-of-age story, part witty spiritual memoir, this book takes readers beyond the stereotypical white shirts and name tags to reveal just how unpredictable, funny, and poignant the missionary life can be.
From being kicked -- literally -- out of someone's home to getting into arguments about what God really wanted from Donny Osmond, Harline faced a range of experiences that nothing, including his own missionary training, had prepared him for. He also found a wealth of friendships with fellow Mormons as well as unconverted locals and, along the way, gained insights that would shape the rest of his life.
Part religious history, part coming-of-age story, part witty spiritual memoir, this book takes readers beyond the stereotypical white shirts and name tags to reveal just how unpredictable, funny, and poignant the missionary life can be.
Editorial Reviews
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
This product is not available in the selected currency.
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Overview
When Craig Harline set off on his two-year Mormon mission to Belgium in the 1970s, he had big dreams of doing miracles, converting the masses, and coming home a hero. What he found instead was a lot of rain and cold, one-sentence conversations with irritated people, and silly squabbles with fellow missionaries.From being kicked -- literally -- out of someone's home to getting into arguments about what God really wanted from Donny Osmond, Harline faced a range of experiences that nothing, including his own missionary training, had prepared him for. He also found a wealth of friendships with fellow Mormons as well as unconverted locals and, along the way, gained insights that would shape the rest of his life.
Part religious history, part coming-of-age story, part witty spiritual memoir, this book takes readers beyond the stereotypical white shirts and name tags to reveal just how unpredictable, funny, and poignant the missionary life can be.
ISBN: 080287150X
ISBN13: 9780802871503
Author: Craig Harline
Publisher: Eerdmans
Format: Hardcover
PublicationDate: 2014-08-14
Language: English
PageCount: 281
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.94 x 9.0
inches
Weight:
19.2 ounces
Description
When Craig Harline set off on his two-year Mormon mission to Belgium in the 1970s, he had big dreams of doing miracles, converting the masses, and coming home a hero. What he found instead was a lot of rain and cold, one-sentence conversations with irritated people, and silly squabbles with fellow missionaries.
From being kicked -- literally -- out of someone's home to getting into arguments about what God really wanted from Donny Osmond, Harline faced a range of experiences that nothing, including his own missionary training, had prepared him for. He also found a wealth of friendships with fellow Mormons as well as unconverted locals and, along the way, gained insights that would shape the rest of his life.
Part religious history, part coming-of-age story, part witty spiritual memoir, this book takes readers beyond the stereotypical white shirts and name tags to reveal just how unpredictable, funny, and poignant the missionary life can be.
From being kicked -- literally -- out of someone's home to getting into arguments about what God really wanted from Donny Osmond, Harline faced a range of experiences that nothing, including his own missionary training, had prepared him for. He also found a wealth of friendships with fellow Mormons as well as unconverted locals and, along the way, gained insights that would shape the rest of his life.
Part religious history, part coming-of-age story, part witty spiritual memoir, this book takes readers beyond the stereotypical white shirts and name tags to reveal just how unpredictable, funny, and poignant the missionary life can be.
Editorial Reviews
BYU Studies Quarterly
"Under Harline's care the typical missionary tale turns platitudes into perspective and demonstrates with humor that the most vital soul God wants us to save is our own. . . . Worth reading--twice."
Dialogue
"Harline has a gift for sensing the most universal of missionary experiences and capturing them with humor and insight."
Stone Campbell Journal
"A thoroughly engaging . . . challenging perspective of Mormon missionary life."
Jana Riess
-- author of
Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor
"How could a memoir that primarily deals with religion and rejection be so flippin' hilarious? Craig Harline's experiences as a Mormon missionary in Belgium in the mid-1970s are ingeniously funny, but they also point to important issues -- how religious people deal with apparent failure and navigate grown-up faith after childish certainties have proven inadequate."
Carlos Eire
-- author of
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy
"An incandescent and searingly honest memoir. . . . Earthy and spiritual all at once, Harline's eloquent account of his travails brims over with good humor and transcends confessional boundaries. Taking the reader from door to door, step by redeeming step, this pilgrim's journal ultimately reveals as much about the human condition as it does about the inner workings of Mormon foreign missions."
Randall Balmer
-- author of
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America
"Witty, poignant, and tender. The characters are unforgettable, and Harline's rendering of his interactions with them is luminous. . . . Utterly riveting and delightful."
-- Booklist
"By turns amusing and tender, an unvarnished and introspective reflection, humanizing a little-understood religion."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"Displays a fine mix of pathos and hilarity. . . . A touchingly human memoir."
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Delightful. . . . Readers will laugh out loud at Harline's misadventures. But this tale is, at heart, a reflection on how life doesn't always follow the rules set out by statisticians and spiritual advisers, and how growing up away from home can be profoundly unsettling. A thoughtful, wonderful read."
J. Spencer Fluhman
-- author of "
A Peculiar People" Anti-Mormonism and the Making of Religion in Nineteenth-Century America
"Harline tells his tale with such candor and warmth that the words spill beyond the boundaries of his own tradition. His story's Mormon particulars will fascinate readers of various stripes, but religious readers across traditions will see themselves in this sweet -- and often comical -- human soul's reach to comprehend God's work in a broken world."
Sam Cardon
-- Emmy Award-winning composer
"
Way Below the Angels is perhaps the most authentic and honest account ever written by a practicing Mormon of the unvarnished Mormon experience. In one moment hilariously funny and in the next heartbreakingly revealing, Craig Harline's story of his journey of self-discovery is filled with insight, humor, wit, and erudition. . . . All readers will learn something, most importantly, about themselves."
Russell Arben Fox
-- By Common Consent
"A beautiful, hilarious, and haunting book. . . . The best, most thoughtful, funniest and truest recreation of missionary life -- especially the internal life of a missionary -- that I've ever read. . . . This is a great book."
Julie Smith
-- Times and Seasons
"You can read an (excellent) book like
Unbroken and think: that was amazing, and it has nothing to do with my life. But you read
Way Below the Angels and think: this is me -- a kicked-over anthill on the inside, even when things are really not all that bad on the outside. . . . Harline provides an unusual kind of balm in the form of an epically raw and genuine account of his mission."
-- Hearts and Minds
"You know this has to be a good book for the editors of one of the most storied and prestigious religious publishers in America to offer it as one of their biggest titles of the season. No, this guy doesn't convert to Protestantism, and there is no grand conclusion, but, wow, does he write well -- colorfully and creatively . . . as he ponders the role of religion in his life, and in our culture. And did I mention he's a good writer?"
"Under Harline's care the typical missionary tale turns platitudes into perspective and demonstrates with humor that the most vital soul God wants us to save is our own. . . . Worth reading--twice."
Dialogue
"Harline has a gift for sensing the most universal of missionary experiences and capturing them with humor and insight."
Stone Campbell Journal
"A thoroughly engaging . . . challenging perspective of Mormon missionary life."
Jana Riess
-- author of
Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor
"How could a memoir that primarily deals with religion and rejection be so flippin' hilarious? Craig Harline's experiences as a Mormon missionary in Belgium in the mid-1970s are ingeniously funny, but they also point to important issues -- how religious people deal with apparent failure and navigate grown-up faith after childish certainties have proven inadequate."
Carlos Eire
-- author of
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy
"An incandescent and searingly honest memoir. . . . Earthy and spiritual all at once, Harline's eloquent account of his travails brims over with good humor and transcends confessional boundaries. Taking the reader from door to door, step by redeeming step, this pilgrim's journal ultimately reveals as much about the human condition as it does about the inner workings of Mormon foreign missions."
Randall Balmer
-- author of
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America
"Witty, poignant, and tender. The characters are unforgettable, and Harline's rendering of his interactions with them is luminous. . . . Utterly riveting and delightful."
-- Booklist
"By turns amusing and tender, an unvarnished and introspective reflection, humanizing a little-understood religion."
-- Kirkus Reviews
"Displays a fine mix of pathos and hilarity. . . . A touchingly human memoir."
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Delightful. . . . Readers will laugh out loud at Harline's misadventures. But this tale is, at heart, a reflection on how life doesn't always follow the rules set out by statisticians and spiritual advisers, and how growing up away from home can be profoundly unsettling. A thoughtful, wonderful read."
J. Spencer Fluhman
-- author of "
A Peculiar People" Anti-Mormonism and the Making of Religion in Nineteenth-Century America
"Harline tells his tale with such candor and warmth that the words spill beyond the boundaries of his own tradition. His story's Mormon particulars will fascinate readers of various stripes, but religious readers across traditions will see themselves in this sweet -- and often comical -- human soul's reach to comprehend God's work in a broken world."
Sam Cardon
-- Emmy Award-winning composer
"
Way Below the Angels is perhaps the most authentic and honest account ever written by a practicing Mormon of the unvarnished Mormon experience. In one moment hilariously funny and in the next heartbreakingly revealing, Craig Harline's story of his journey of self-discovery is filled with insight, humor, wit, and erudition. . . . All readers will learn something, most importantly, about themselves."
Russell Arben Fox
-- By Common Consent
"A beautiful, hilarious, and haunting book. . . . The best, most thoughtful, funniest and truest recreation of missionary life -- especially the internal life of a missionary -- that I've ever read. . . . This is a great book."
Julie Smith
-- Times and Seasons
"You can read an (excellent) book like
Unbroken and think: that was amazing, and it has nothing to do with my life. But you read
Way Below the Angels and think: this is me -- a kicked-over anthill on the inside, even when things are really not all that bad on the outside. . . . Harline provides an unusual kind of balm in the form of an epically raw and genuine account of his mission."
-- Hearts and Minds
"You know this has to be a good book for the editors of one of the most storied and prestigious religious publishers in America to offer it as one of their biggest titles of the season. No, this guy doesn't convert to Protestantism, and there is no grand conclusion, but, wow, does he write well -- colorfully and creatively . . . as he ponders the role of religion in his life, and in our culture. And did I mention he's a good writer?"
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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