Take a man in despair, a man who was once selected to learn from the great people of the past, a man who shocked the world by actually doing what they said. Then take a world, like ours, that has strayed from its path in so many ways. And, finally, summon the greatest men and women of the world, known as Travelers.
Then confront them with a question whose answer will save the world from a disaster as devastating as the great Flood.
This is The Final Summit, the latest book by Andy Andrews.
David Ponder, the man in despair, has been chosen chair of this final summit. He is brought there by Gabriel, yes, the archangel (although Winston Churchill purposely leaves out the ‘arch’ to needle him). In company with five select other Travelers, and with the assistance of all the other Travelers of the world, David attempts to answer the final question:
“What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?”
The answer, Gabriel says, contains two words, and the summit has only five tries to save the world.
The Travelers struggle with this question, proclaiming much wisdom and many platitudes, going from cockiness to despair, and from failure to a new understanding of humanity. Meanwhile, sand slips inexorably through a large gold hourglass as time moves on…in unexpected ways.
This book fascinated me, mostly because I couldn’t determine my response to it. It’s either wise or exceedingly trite. It’s either written with such a deep assumption that the Lord Jesus is the Savior of the world that He needn’t be mentioned…or it assumes that He is not necessary. I suspect that Andy Andrews may be more inclined to think that Jesus is superfluous and that mankind can save itself, merely by doing something.
That being said, a person could read The Final Summit within the framework of Christianity and find it thought-provoking and possibly even helpful. It is certainly not a book to read casually, since it’s full of ambiguous statements which may or may not be true. Obviously, a study guide is included.
The premise of the book is wrong; when global disaster threatens, the world needs the gospel, not a self-help message. While self-help concepts can benefit individuals to some extent, they cannot fundamentally change the world. Although I found some nuggets of wisdom in The Final Summit, I cannot recommend it.
For a detailed outline of how Andy Andrews twists Biblical ideas, read Cheri Hill’s review.
Disclosure I received a free review copy of this book from Booksneeze in order to share my honest opinions.
This is my 12th book in the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge.
Annie:
I would agree with you– The world needs the gospel, not a self-help message. Humanity “just doing something” isn’t the answer.
http://calicocritic.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-review-final-summit-by-andy.html
Thank you for visiting me and following! This has actually been a great opportunity to meet wonderful people who have the same love and loyalty to Christ as I do! Who says God doesn’t use ALL things for good!?!
Blessings!
Cherie
While I concur with your statement that the world needs the Gospel, that isn’t the premise of the book. From a Christian perspective, the author has already expressed the view that salvation and God are required. If you read his first book on this story line, his argument is that he is expressing annoyance with the view that when people are “Waiting on God” the answer is more than likely that “God is waiting on them…” to “do something.” God has “moved mountains to create opportunity” and it is up to us to “move ourselves” in response.
The book, I believe, is not intended to address salvation but the actions of a Christian in making an effect in our world and in that context, I think its a rather great read.
Thanks, Joe. I obviously did not read that first book you mentioned, and it was not clearly mentioned in this book.
You are certainly correct that as Christians we need to be busy doing what God calls us to do; in that context the book is certainly worthwhile. On its own, however, it is lacking clarity on this issue.