|
Summarized by Covenant Communications Press Release
Pillar of Fire Brings Book of Mormon to Life
AMERICAN FORK, UTAH -- David Woolley has written what everyone has
been waiting for, an epic series based on The Book of Mormon, says
Robby Nichols, vice president of marketing for Covenant
Communications, Inc. Already, we have bookstores asking when
the second novel is coming, and the first has yet to be released to
the general public.
Pillar of Fire, (Covenant, 544 pages, $21.95) the first of nine epic
novels that follow the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi and his family to
the Promised Land. With over 2,000 copies of Pillar of Fire pre sold,
a record number for a first time fiction writer from Covenant, some
booksellers are predicting that this series will surpass sales of the
extremely popular "The Work &The Glory" series. "Pillar of Fire"
will be available in bookstores in the first of September.
Why all the excitement about Pillar of Fire? Woolley did precise and
extensive research to make "Pillar of Fire" as historically accurate
as possible. He used information from the most recent and accurate
sources available, including research from F.A.R.M.S., writings from
Hugh Nibley, and many other books. Shirley Ricks, an editor at
F.A.R.M.S. who read an early version of the manuscript says, "'Pillar
of Fire' is a fascinating story that brings to life the world of Lehi
and his family." Richard Cracroft, professor in English at BYU,
called it "A work of first class fiction grounded in authenticity.
"Pillar of Fire" is a triumph of literary imagination and a
significant event in the history of Mormon fiction."
"To read the Book of Mormon is to yearn to know these people, walk
the streets they walked, hear what they heard, and feel what they
might have felt," says Woolley.
According to Shauna Nelson, managing editor of fiction at Covenant,
"'Pillar of Fire' is the perfect blend of fact and fiction. After
reading 'Pillar of Fire', you'll never read the Book of Mormon the
same way again."
The story takes place in 601 B.C. The Babylonians have come and gone,
leaving Jerusalem plundered, weak, and broken. The power hungry
Elders in the city council have banished and murdered the prophets.
Anyone foolish enough to voice their support for the prophets has
been labeled a "Rekhabite," a dissenter, a traitor -- worthy of
death. In the midst of this turmoil, Jonathan the blacksmith has
moved his family from Sidon to Jerusalem, bringing with him knowledge
of the secret alloy, steel. Torn between heeding his wife's warnings
and a fear of not providing for his family, Jonathan becomes a pawn
in the hands of the Elders and Laban, the captain of the guard.
Aaron, Jonathan's crippled son, receives a blessing and a promise of
healing, and is told that he will save the life of a prophet. When he
is hired by the oil merchant Lehi, Aaron's life changes forever. So
begins the first volume of "The Promised Land" series a sweeping epic
telling that chronicles the incredible beginnings of the Book of
Mormon.
A woman who read a galley proof of the book said, "I dare you to read
it and not love it." So the challenge has been issued: read it and
love it.
Established in 1958, Covenant Communications, Inc. is the largest
privately owned LDS publisher. Covenant publishes over 100 titles per
year including fiction, non fiction, children's books, software, and
audio products. To see how you can become a published author, read
the Author's Guidelines at http://www.covenant-lds.com/guide.html
Source:
Pillar of Fire Brings Book of Mormon to Life
Covenant Communications Press Release 27Jul00 A4
|
