This is the first Did Not Finish Review that I am posting here on Falling Off The Shelf. I feel horrible for having to do it in the first place! I just could not get into this book. I tried and tried (got all of 100 pages in) and for the life of me could not get into the story.

I will say that the author does have a great way of describing everything, and that alone was the reason I hung on as long as I did. I was able to see everything that Mansfield was describing. As for the actual story itself, everytime I tried to recall what I had just read, I'd draw a blank! I thought since it was centered around music I would be interested, but I guess I was wrong.

Please don't let my review of this book persuade you not to read this book, it just wasn't for me. ( )

“The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.”
-Psalm 19:7-8

Setting the tone for his book “Between Wyomings: My God and an iPod on the Open Road”, Ken Mansfield with the above scripture (The Message Bible) at once captures your attention.

Recounting his three month tour with his wife in their van (affectionately named Moses), Mansfield recounts, reflects, and relives his years in the music industry.

Describing his writing style as a ‘christian on acid’, his statements are wildly imaginative pegging the mindset of the entertainment industry as we all imagine it to be, somewhat disorganized but wondrously creative at the same time.

Mansfield recalls his life and moments with many of the entertainment industries most famous icons, those who have shaped history, such as: Beach Boys, the Beatles, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, Andy Williams, Don Ho, and Willie Nelson.

Especially interesting to me were his discussion with God as he searched to make sense of his life. This is the essence of his testimony as it is for all of us. Describing God, Mansfield writes:

“Oddly enough, I think the big reason I love Him so much is because He doesn’t always knock before He enters. He loves to just storm into my deepest parts and start turning over tables, clearing spaces, and setting things free.”

This is a very interesting and illuminating book, written with great honesty and humor. As you finish this book, you may find yourself grabbing your iPod, loading it up with a history of your life in ‘music’ and beginning a reflective story of your own. ( )

Ken Mansfield once worked with music celebrities, including the Beatles, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and more. In Between Wyomings, he recounts humorous and touching stories of his experiences in the recording industry, but these stories are more of a bonus rather than the main feature.

Between Wyomings chronicles Mansfield’s physical road trip through the locations that played important roles in his life. It also contains intimate glimpses into his spiritual life as he explains how his experiences ushered him into a new life with Jesus. Mansfield rose from a rural town in Idaho to the heights of money and influence in the music industry, only to lose everything. Read more or get the quick scoop. ( )