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Book Review Archives
Title: Fished All Night for Nothing
Author: Dr. Daniel E. Pann
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises
Genre: Christian Living/Evangelism
Copyright: 2005
ISBN: 1-59886-09-3-3
Reviewer: Deborah Porter
Available Through: http://www.tatepublishing.com
http://www.drpann.com
Having thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Daniel Pann’s first book, "A Pregnant Woman Beat Me," I have to admit that I was more than a little eager to read his next offering, "Fished All Night for Nothing"--and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
Whether you are an avid angler, like Dr. Pann, or whether you are someone, like me, who doesn’t know a fish hook from a fly, there is so much to enjoy in this 184-page collection of fishy tales, which have been gathered from the author’s years of sitting on river banks or wading waist-deep in water.
It would be very easy to say that "Fished All Night for Nothing" is purely about evangelism, because that aspect is definitely the heartbeat of the message from first page to last. The book has very clearly been written from the author’s genuine and quite sympathetic understanding that most Christians have misgivings and apprehensions about sharing their faith. However, to categorize it as simply a manual about being an evangelist, is really a major understatement. It is so much more.
Using delightful, and often humorous, anecdotes to highlight some very Biblical teaching, Dr. Pann inspires, encourages and challenges his readers to move from simply thinking, hearing and reading about going fishing for men, to actually pulling on their waders, grabbing their rod and creel, and heading to the nearest "river."
At the same time, "Fished All Night for Nothing" also nets a great catch of personal stories that are downright enjoyable and inspirational--where the fish play second fiddle to the people and relationships involved. The chapter entitled "Fish and Three Little Old Ladies," is a case in point. It brought a tear to my eye as the author cast his line and hooked me in the heart. As Dr. Pann concluded at the end of that section, "It’s those kind of stories that keep us fishing." This reviewer believes that it’s also those kind of stories that will keep the reader turning pages.
In the same style as "A Pregnant Woman Beat Me," Dr. Pann’s second book is one that can either be dived into and read from cover to cover, or just as easily dipped into at the reader’s leisure--one chapter at a time--as each section has a complete message which stands very comfortably alone. Because of this, the book could be used, quite effectively, as a 20-day devotional, or even for group discussions. Chapters of the book would definitely work extremely well as the focus for a men’s retreat.
My copy of "Fished All Night for Nothing" is looking a little worn right now. The pages are well-thumbed, and the cover is a bit bent at the corners. These are all signs that confirm that this is the sort of book a reader will want to "live in" from start to finish. Then they’ll probably want to find a peaceful river bank and discover the joys of fishing, spiritually and in reality, for themselves.
I know I do.
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