God and Guinness -- The History of One of the World's Most Famous Brands Reveals the Faith of a Family Driven by Christian Values
NASHVILLE, Aug. 19 /
Christian Newswire/ --In THE SEARCH FOR GOD AND GUINNESS: A Biography of the Beer that Changed the World (Thomas Nelson, October 13, 2009), Stephen Mansfield explores the groundbreaking business acumen of this prolific company, and uncovers a deeply held faith running throughout the family's history.
Arthur Guinness was a great man of faith. Born on the estate of an Archbishop and raised a loyal son of the Irish church, Arthur lived by the words that were his personal motto: Spes Mea in Deo -- "My Hope is in God." He was deeply inspired by the revivalist John Wesley to use his wealth and talents to make the world better. Taking scripture as his guide, Arthur served the needy of his time and worked to use his gifts in honor of his God. One favorite project of his that seems confirmation of both the purity of his faith and his concern for social good: Guinness was the founder of the first Sunday Schools in Ireland.
Much of the great 250-year history of Guinness beer is a story in which wealth is gained through faith-inspired excellence and then used to serve others for the glory of God. This is what Arthur Guinness founded and this is the legacy that Guinness beer still symbolizes to this day.
The Guinness story began in Ireland in the late 1700's. The water in Ireland, indeed throughout Europe, was famously undrinkable, and the gin and whiskey that took its place was devastating civil society. It was a disease ridden, starvation plagued, alcoholic age, and Christians like Arthur Guinness--as well as monks and even evangelical churches--brewed beer to offer a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. Now, 250 years and 150 countries later, Guinness is a global brand, one of the most consumed beverages in the world with 10 million glasses of Guinness enjoyed every day. The tale that unfolds during those two and a half centuries has power to thrill audiences today: the generational drama, business adventure, industrial and social reforms, deep-felt faith, and the beer itself.
Among the book's key concepts and takeaways:
· A comprehensive history of beer throughout time.
· Insight into the life of brewing legend Arthur Guinness and how his descendants have carried on his traditions.
· The unbelievable generosity of the Guinness company to its employees, as well as the community.
· Insight into the faith of the Guinness family.
· Mansfield's five pillars of truth that can be culled from the Guinness tale.
About The Author
STEPHEN MANSFIELD is a New York Times bestselling author and a popular speaker who is becoming one of the nation's most respected voices on religion in American culture. He is author of The Faith of George W. Bush, The Faith of the American Soldier, Then Darkness Fled: The Liberating Wisdom of Booker T. Washington, and Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill, among other works of history and biography. In 2008, Mansfield wrote The Faith of Barack Obama, intended as an objective look at Obama's religious life and the controversies that have surrounded it. The book reflects Mansfield's ability to compassionately describe theological and political views that are not necessarily his own, an ability he movingly demonstrated in his book on the life and views of Pope Benedict XVI.
Founder of both The Mansfield Group, a research and communications firm, and Chartwell Literary Group, which creates and manages literary projects, Stephen is also in wide demand as a lecturer and inspirational speaker.
Note: Stephen Mansfield is available for interview.
