Promised Land Series: Pillar of Fire

Pillar of Fire is very good. I love it, and can hardly wait for the third one to come out!!! I saw it at a store and asked Dad to get the two (he likes Church historical fiction too), which he did. I think I read the two in a day or two (I'm a voracious reader, and had a lot of time on my hands at the time, although I suppose it wouldn't have been much longer even if it was during the school year). Everything is so alive, and makes the scriptures come . . . well, alive! However, I think Gerald Lund and David G. Woolley are equally good.

I really like this book, it brought out a great imagination of what it might have been like for Lehi and his family. I really recommend it!

Wonderful book. I could not put it down from the moment I started. It is the type of book that you feel like you are actually there. I Have wonder how it must of been like for these people and what kind of people they were and how they lived? I can't wait til the 2nd one is out. Can someone tell me when that will be out.Thank you

I was thrilled by the marvelous writings of David Woolley. I have always been a fan of LDS literature after reading Gerald Lund's series the Work and the Glory. However, Woolley managed to write a superb work that supercedes the literary quality of Lund with his first attempt. Woolley is able to paint a picture of what life was probably like in the ancient Holy Land. The characters have marvelous depth and are so realistic. The story itself is just as captivating. The book is also wonderfully researched with notes at the end to increase the scholarship of the reader. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a great read. I can hardly wait for volume two of the series.

The premise of Pillar of Fire got me intrigued. A few people have tried to write historical novels based on the events of the Book of Mormon, but the writing has generally been amateurish or the story weak. As soon as I started reading Pillar of Fire, I was hooked. I just kept thinking, can he bring this to a strong conclusion? By the time I put it down, I was fully satisfied. This first time author knows how to spin a tale and writes with a skillful ease that is almost unnoticeable. Woolley has created a plausible, entertaining story set within the context of the opening verses of the Book of Mormon. While Mormons will recognize characters such as Lehi and Nephi--or the treacherous Captain Laban--anyone could read this book and enjoy it. The Book of Mormon events provide a great context, but function primarily as background for the larger story Woolley has developed, introducing fictional characters and creating an engaging plot within and around the Nephite narrative. There is no question that Woolley is a devout believer, but his writing never feels preachy. In fact, the writing is extremely well handled. He weaves in historical information seamlessly, avoiding the distracting historical discussions that too often plague the writing of Gerald Lund or some others in the LDS market. And for those desiring more information on the history and background that Woolley drew from, he has included an extensive set of fascinating scholarly notes at the back. The reader can read them if they like that kind of thing (which I do) or ignore them and just enjoy the story. Set together at the back (instead of at the conclusion of each chapter as in some recent works) they cause no distraction from this first-rate fiction. Kudos to Mr. Woolley for a fine book. Bring on volume 2!