Along with all of the
enthusiastic feedback from readers on Amazon.com about my book, Embracing the Gray: A Wing, A Prayer, and A
Doubter’s Resolve, there have also been many positive reviews from other
writers. Here are some of those
reflections…
Embracing the Gray provides a description
of someone who has shied away from simplistic Christianity. Mark Hollingsworth carries
us through his spiritual highs and lows as he relates his journey towards a
mature faith and lifestyle. Those of us who know next to nothing about the
contemporary music scene can learn much about the messages of what a younger
generation devours. Mark understands this world, and artists he has known and
been influenced by help give poetic weight as we read through this memoir. He
is an excellent storyteller, but the reader should not think that Mark’s
stories are only told to entertain. They have layered meanings and lead to
thoughtful reflections. Embracing the
Gray gets two enthusiastic thumbs up from me.
-Tony
Campolo (author of 37 books, world-renowned speaker)
I have known Mark for quite a few years now and his
interest and sensitivity have always impressed me. However, Embracing the Gray goes much deeper into
the waters of this brave heart. Mark has a communicational style that is both
conversational and poetic; a union of the heart and mind that is at once
compelling, challenging and inspirational. I highly recommend the book and the
man.
-Neal Morse (Author of Testimony,
recording artist, song writer, producer of 11 solo albums, and 12 others with Spocks’ Beard, Transatlantic, and Flying
Colors)
Check out the book, Embracing the Gray, by long-time friend Mark
Hollingsworth—all-around world-saver and critical figure in the history of
spiritual music. We traveled some of the same spiritual search together. I
highly endorse it.
-Kerry
Livgren (Author of Seeds of Change,
primary songwriter, guiatrist, and keyboardist for Kansas)
Listening and Telling. We all have a story; but not all of us have paid much care or attention to it. Mark Hollingsworth has listened to his story well, and he has given us the gift of sharing what he's heard. Humorous. Poignant. Hopeful. Riddled with sorrow in some places and drenching with joy in others, Embracing the Gray is well worth your time.
-Winn Collier (author of Holy
Curiosity, Restless Faith, Deeper Walk, and regular contributor to Relevant Magazine)
The glorious paradox of no-nonsense faith. Anyone
who has spent a few hours around Mark Hollingsworth knows his conversational
references to culture, politics, the Good Book and the good fight span a really
broad horizon. Hollingsworth has also led a truly fascinating life, and has the
wit and word-smithing at his disposal to make his journey into a really
entertaining read. Embracing the Gray
is a delightful, sometimes dizzying account of Mark's adventures that
demonstrates his gifts as a cultural commentator and a writer worth reading.
Hollingsworth pulls no punches as he rolls through episodes of his life in the
music industry and ministry to the poor, rubbing shoulders with rock royalty
and desperately at-risk children, and coming of age between Vietnam and Van
Halen. Having said all that, I've barely scratched the surface of the
remarkable range of subjects Hollingsworth addresses with unflinching honesty--
and then draws a beeline to his faith, and how all that experience helped
develop him into a truly authentic, thoughtful Jesus-follower. As pastor of a
rowdy bunch of mostly Millennials (roughly 18-30 years of age), I am highly
recommending Embracing the Gray to
them because it provides them a wonderful tool: an example of how to think
about faith, as opposed to simply what to think about faith. And to my Boomer
contemporaries? Buy it for yourself. If you're a fan of Jesus, contemporary
music, social action, Petra, Rush (the group; maybe not Limbaugh for this
book), or needing to know that someone else has been through the pain of
helping their parents shed the mortal coil with love and dignity, read this
book. Then do your grown kids a favor and give it to them to read. (If you're
sensitive to salty language, be warned that it makes an occasional appearance
in this book. Thus the encouragement to make it available to your "grown
children." But please, put some U2 on in the background and read it
anyway. You really won't regret it.)
-Steve Wamberg (author of Pinocchio
Nation, Surviving a Prodigal, and
more)
Simply stunning. Honestly, Mark's life runs parallel to the film "Almost Famous," only it's more exciting. I won't ruin any of the surprises, but I guarantee you'll have several moments where you say to yourself "I can't believe all this happened to one person." The only book I've ever read with a meeting with U2, and an incident with a drunken, suicidal gunman live just pages apart. And both are true. Loved it!
-Seth
Hurd (author of Hip Hope and Jr.
College, What Becky Didn’t Want,
and A Grammatical Corrector)
The most engaging,
hilarious, gut-wrenching, and inspiring book I've read in a long time. Thanks!
-Zach Bevill (songwriter, lead singer,
guitarist for The Farewell Drifters)
What a wonderful piece of writing! You are a GREAT writer,
Bro! Funny, inspiring, thought provoking,
challenging...these are all words I would use to describe this book. I feel
enriched after reading it. I laughed out loud on a few of those stories! I hope this is just
the first of many. I think it will sell a ton. Thank you!
-Bob Hartman (primary songwriter, and
lead guitarist for Petra)
I have known Mark for a few years and have read his blog regularly in that time. I have seen and experienced first hand his own willingness to live his faith in an open, honest way, including not just the good times, but the hard questions and difficult circumstances. If you are looking for happy-go-lucky, pat on the back, feel-good themed book, you may want to pick up one of those fluff books. If, however, you want a book that will affirm your own struggles, is easy to read, and at the same time challenges you to take seriously the concepts of God, spirituality and help you in times where you may feel all alone, I couldn't recommend anything as much as Embracing the Gray. Mark writes from a place of honesty that many of us could learn from; his life has been an example; his words will inspire and challenge.
-Mike Furches (author of The Keystone Kid, and columnist for HollywoodJesus.com)
This
book is some very beautiful fruit from some very tough seasons in Hollingsworth’s
life.
-Kim Thomas (author of Living in the Sacred Now, Finding Your Way
-Kim Thomas (author of Living in the Sacred Now, Finding Your Way
Through
Grief,
and Even God Rested)
A soulful memoir. This
is a bold first hand account of the life (thus far!) of Christian music manager
and non-profit marketing luminary Mark Hollingsworth. His 3+ decades traveling
the globe with performers, friends, and even a few strangers leave a wake of
wild stories and one-of-a-kind exchanges. Each chapter explores the soul of a
man wrestling with deep doubts, yet also gnawing convictions. In particular,
his account of time spent with the young U2 harmonizes book-long themes of
tattered, yet intact faith, parsed against diamond-splitting honesty. A read
that will inspire thought, and be a reminder of grace.
-Geoff Little (author of Summers)
-Geoff Little (author of Summers)
Mark and I both kind of march to the beat
of our own funky drum kit--which is why I'm excited to promote his new book: Embracing the Gray. Mark is one of those
admirable, honest Christians who thinks with his heart and his funny bone both
engaged and he's one heck of a great writer! You don't wanna miss this one!
-Paul Johnson (Dove Award winning composer, producer, artist)
-Paul Johnson (Dove Award winning composer, producer, artist)
I read Embracing
the Gray and what a lovely trip the read turned out to be! Not
only is Mark a keen observer of every person he has ever met,
but with great honesty he opens himself up to observation,
too. Mark's insightful use of the lyrics of songs to which this
seventy- something lady had never paid attention opened a window into the realm
of 'young' music and to a place that happened long after I was
grown up. Finally, I've always known that my world
was too black and white (just ask my kids!) and I am very grateful for
this sometimes painful yet often joyously lighthearted reminder to embrace,
not just tolerate what is, and may well remain, quite gray. I very much loved Embracing the Gray.
-Peggy Campolo
(contributor for Sojourners, Youthworker Journal, Wittenburg Door, and more)
Mark Hollingsworth has written an awesome book titled Embracing the Gray. It's got wonderful
stories about his meetings with U2, Kerry Livgren (Kansas) and his life's
journey. Honestly, I couldn't put it down and I highly recommend it.
-Rick Altizer (songwriter, recording
artist, producer)
On
a lazy American Thanksgiving I read through Mark Hollingsworth's EMBRACING THE GRAY and was compelled by
the frank honesty that he brought to both his writing and his spiritual
journey. There is something wonderfully liberating in coming to grips with our
humanness while we still attempt to connect with the Almighty. I resonated most
fully with
Mark
on this point, that somewhere in his early twenties he found it necessary to
lay aside all pretense and simply be honest about his faith (or, at times, lack
thereof). I read somewhere that stories are equipment for living, and I am
appreciative that Mark has laid out some of his here. Everyone's life contains
scripture, a sacred text of their interaction with the Almighty, whether they
be conscious of it or not. And Mark's story recounts the full embrace of life's
experiences up against the backdrop of a searching soul desperate to make sense
of the sometimes elusive fingerprints of grace.
-David Disabitino (screenwriter,
director of Frisbie, The Outlaw Larry Norman)
Amazing
stories from one of my true heroes.
-John Thompson (author of Raised by Wolves, and editor of True
-John Thompson (author of Raised by Wolves, and editor of True
Tunes magazine)
I read the whole
book in one sitting. It is fabulous. Meaty stuff. Funny stuff. Encouraging
stuff. Mark openly wrestles with so many things that are common to one seeking
a relationship with the Creator. My take away was to stay in the Eternal Now
with the Ever Present One.
-Pam Mark Hall
(songwriter, recording artist)
Love this book! Mark
has written a touching and at times hysterical memoir. In particular though,
the account of his brother's troubled relationship with his family was quite
moving. These are stories of love, faith, loss, and joy that only a writer as
adept and honest as Mark could make so three dimensional as to jump off the
page. Well worth your time!
-Rick Elias (songwriter,
recording artist, producer)
I continue to be
humbled by the response the book is generating. If you have read it and wish to correspond with me, I always
interact with any communiqués.
You can also peruse many reader reviews (97% are Five Stars) at:
Embracing the Gray is still available for a limited time as a 99 cent Kindle download
at that same link, or as a free PDF download at my website (donations
accepted):
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