ON WINGS OF EAGLES

In his second memoir, interspersed with details on escaping a religious cult, Hall reminds readers that religion ought to be about love and compassion and brutality and anger has no place among true Christians.

In his first book, Betrayal and Escape (2000), Hall (DDS) detailed his and his brother’s escape from the Roberts Religion, an ultraconservative religious cult, of which his mother was the leader. In this follow-up, the author goes deeper into the abuse he and his brother suffered at his mother’s hands–cruelty she heaped upon her adopted children, purportedly in God’s name. Scattered among the tales of oppression are biblical quotes he uses to directly contradict his mother’s teachings. Where she taught of a religion based on fear and xenophobia, Hall knew there was another Christianity out there–a religion he would not truly know until he found the courage to escape from his mother’s domination. However, this is not merely a reminiscence of escape. Like the Christianity with which he ultimately found solace, On Wings of Eagles is concerned with redemption. In his mother’s later days, she found the courage to apologize for her actions in his childhood, and he found the capacity to forgive. Like most autobiographies, the reader only gets access to one perspective–making the description of the Roberts Religion naturally biased. The author seems quick to ascribe all of his mother’s faults to the actions of Satan. Many memoirs blur the line between straight-talk and self-pity, and the book comes close to, but never actually crosses that line. Hall’s writing style is simple and direct, a solid method to recount his story. While some secular readers might be put off by the included biblical passages, the heart of the narrative–finding the courage to escape the only life you’ve ever known–is universal.

Offers a glimpse into the oft-shadowy world of a Christian cult.