A Mere Shepherd Boy - Book 1

The year was 1,000 BC. Life was fraught with danger. Drought, famine, and sickness were a constant threat. At any moment an enemy could invade.

In a little hilltop village, a child was born, the youngest of a tribe of brothers. He was destined to become one of the best-known names in human history. As a child he knew nothing of this. Yet he dreamed! And as he led his father's sheep through the wild pastures he looked to the heavens, played his harp, and lifted his voice in spontaneous song. There were predators in those hills, but he was unafraid and full of courage, as if protected from all harm.

A natural leader, he won the loyalty and admiration of the other boys in town. He drilled them in war-games, and they shared many adventures. These childhood companions remained faithful to him throughout all the seasons of his life. Through thick and thin they followed him, because of... that special something... that capacity to inspire and to lead, which seemed to come so naturally to him.

This is the story of his early years. It lays the foundation - culturally, socially and geographically - for the epic life-journey which lay ahead. His legacy would last forever.

REVIEWS:

Amazing book. Couldn't put down, re-read it 2 more times! Super engaging, and well written.

- Peter Thomas-Hall

Mike’s book on the Life of King David: ‘A Mere Shepherd Boy’, of which ‘Book1: The Youngest Son’ is the first volume, weaves together faithfully all the events and characters of David’s life featured in the bible, with their backstories, relationships and desires.

It incorporates a well-researched history and geography of the land, and the culture of the people then. It also includes all the Psalms attributed to David, inserted in his life’s story at appropriate times, making them so much more relatable.

Mike’s writing style is minimalistic and full of jumps and surprises. I never understood the many complexities of David’s life until I read it, all brought together in this book. It makes for fascinating reading. What a multi-dimensional, spiritual, and action-packed life!

- Alex Reynolds

Book 1 The Youngest Son. I have read this book a number of times and highly recommend it for the following reasons:-

·The wonderful flow of language - “When a mountain goat is startled, it instinctively goes higher and it is marvellous to watch them springing upward from ledge to invisible ledge as if borne on wings.” You can see it!

· The subtle touches of humour – David wants to trade a homer of wheat for a harp and his teacher says, “What about the homerless?”

· The fleshing out of David’s character – as in the episode of how David procured a harp and loved to use it to worship his God.

· The careful preparation of other characters – such as the Bethlehem Boys. His nephews, especially Joab and Abishai, play an important part in David’s later life.

· The inclusion of Michael – this timid friend and scribe to David is actually the author!

· Jewish history presented as a background – David recalls the story of his great grandmother, Ruth – a Moabite who doesn’t bite!

· Jewish culture – anything from the collection of camel dung for fuel to the uses of goat skin for holding wine.

For all these reasons and more, I would rate this book as five star and strongly suggest that you read it. You will gain a hugely greater appreciation of David’s life and be eager to read the five other books in the series as they become available.

- Pam Bailey.

A rich, biblically-based life-story, told in the first person and embroidered with sparkling gems of wisdom and warmth. There is a sort of innocence in the narrator's voice which creates in his readers a heartfelt longing for the simpler and more adventurous days in which this story takes place.

The two elusive goalposts of every fiction writer: drawing readers into an unforgettable, other-worldly experience and leaving them wanting more. Bravo, Mike Thomas-Hall, on both counts – bring on Book 2!

A book to be embraced and enjoyed by readers young and old. Enjoyed, but not easily forgotten.

A simple tale, told simply with deep undercurrents of nostalgia, inspiration and heroism.

- Kevin PhillipsRead less