Lords of the Earth: An Incredible but True Story from the Stone-Age Hell of Papua's Jungle

Excellently written. Great content.

It is with tears that we read and see God’s amazing work on this earth and the great sacrifice so many are willing to make to reach those who don’t know Him.

A stone-age tribe, one of the most religious on earth, plays out its faith and worldview in a tale of deception, war, and revenge. Women and children suffer violence for reasons their husbands, fathers, and brothers will not reveal, cannot reveal, lest spiritual forces destroy them and the world they know. Into this hidden corner of the world marches a band of evangelical Christians with the gospel and dreams of building Christ's kingdom. One man in particular, Stan Dale, brings the kind of character and zeal and truth that once transformed Europe and then the world into what we call Western Civilization.Don Richardson is an excellent writer of narrative non-fiction. Years ago, when I read this book for the first time, I was astounded at the writer's ability to narrate the ins and outs of tribal politics, culture, and religion. How could he or anyone possibly know these things? Is he just making stuff up to fill in the blanks? Maybe all of this wouldn't stand up to the technical requirements of academic history. Maybe it's more akin to Jeff Shaara's novelized history. In any case, I would put Richardson's work right up there with Hampton Sides, Steve Sheinkin and other great writers of novelized and narrative history. Richardson has put in the time. He's lived with the people. Missions to tribes and the promoting of the gospel to all the people's of the world has been his life work since 1962. He's still living (age 82) acccording to Wikipedia, and last published in 2008.I've read a lot of missionary stories, and I wouldn't give a general recommend for many missions books, but this one is an exception. I think even an atheist and opponent of Christian missions will find much entertainment and edification in this book. It's got human drama on every page and even some amazing plot twists.

I can't imagine working with someone like Stan Dale, and I pity his wife! But he certainly practiced what he preached and changed countless lives even as he sacrificed his own. So thankful I could read the postscript written 30 years later.

If this book won't give you a heart for missions, nothing will. This book tells the story of Stan Dale and the Yali tribe as cultures clash and the Gospel wins over the hearts of fierce and cruel warriors, whose enjoyment is to shoot so many arrows into a victim to porcupine him or her, and then eat with relish the corpse of a victim. These people are so entralled to their spirits that any violation of taboo was punished by death. Women were also excluded from all rituals and religion and deemed unclean. Into this walks Stan Dale charging forward with fortitude determination and a total reliance on God. Winning a few young converts coupled with tortuous hard labor to construct a basic airstrip, Dale and a friend were martyred. Then through a total act of Providence, God intervened miraculously and revival swept the Yali people at the same spot where the two missionaries were killed and dismembered by the appearance of a little missionary boy and his protection by a wise old man. You must read this book to find out what happens. After all is revealed, you will see the Hand of God, protecting Stan Dale and his family in a very humourous manner based on mistaken identity.This book will give you a taste of the challenges in reaching a lost world. It is still going on today with organizations such as the New Tribes Mission whose missionaries were recently martyred in the Philippines. Truly amazing real-life stories.

I have read many many missionary books in my life, but non as inspirational as this. It comes at the point of view of the tribe, as well as the missionary, which is rare indeed. It does many things, it helps us relate to the tribe as well as the missionary. Showing us compassion, His love, and a heart for the people. It shows Gods heart in the passage in Joshua, when God says "No" to the question are you for us (His people) or our enemies. It shows how the hearts of people are changed by kindness and love. It shows the emptiness of the heart of those who are still orphans, as well as stresses the necessity of getting the gospel of adoption as sons to those in need.It's a detailed account of His love for all, and the boldness we are called to carry in that freedom He gives us.An extremely well written book, with the kind, bold, and compassionate heart of God evident throughout writing it.Especially as a missionary to Papua and West Papua New Guinea, this is a must read!God Bless

This book has been well reviewed already; I'll just add that Bruno de Leeuw is a friend of mine, now 88, who ministered in Papua New Guinea for many years, lived through of those times with Stan Dale and other missionaries, and is mentioned a few times in the book. He commented that he and Stan Dale perfectly complemented one another; Stan was a hard driving, no nonsense type who met challenges head on while Bruno was calmer and more laid back, able to smooth over the hurts unintentionally inflicted by Stan's directness. Together they were a highly effective team. (Those are my words and not an exact quote of what Bruno told me.) Bruno has made many notes of his time there, and hopes to see the day they are published.Bruno did caution me that I shouldn't think all the events happened just as Don Richardson depicted them, since Don fills in gaps in the story with what might have happened. (Again, my paraphrase and not to be taken as Bruno's actual words.) But that is no reason not to read the book and enjoy it, since Don's descriptions of conditions, attitudes, beliefs, etc. were depicted accurately.This is a great story, masterfully told. I was immensely pleased to find it available on Kindle.

I was asked to buy this book for a Pastor in Central Africa. Before sending it to him I decided to read it for myself. It is an amazing story of true pioneer missionary work. I travel widely in Africa, India and Sri Lanka working with a wide variety of Christian groups, but it made me realise that I have not begun to be worthy of the title: "missionary". All the men and women in this story have truly laid down their lives for the Gospel and had a powerful impact on a people who had never even heard of Jesus before they arrived. Order the book now and read it!

first read this book some twenty years ago and found it a truelly insparational story of overcomeing diffrent ways of life although tragic in the end from this came forgiveness.when i got my kindle this was one book i kept looking for .

SHows how the love of God can reach all, whatever the cultural background. Highly encouraging to all who feeel religion is no longer relevent

I found this a hard book to read simply because cannibalism itself is so ghastly. On the other hand, how beautiful to see people choose freely to abandon cannibalism and embrace a God and lifestyle of love, including a love of enemies. How refreshing to see people choose peace and harmony with God and others over rage and hatred. Isn’t this a lesson for North America? Including a lesson to the religious of all stripes? Can’t we have a God of love and peace again who values everyone? Can we have a Jesus back who really has a heart for every single person? The courage of the messengers in this story is a magnificent testimony of giving yourself for others even if it means giving your all. I’m humbled by their sacrifice. And love.

What strength of body, mind and spirit is seen in these men particularly Stan. It wasn't easy for any of them but God's love for all mankind compelled these men and their families to do great things including giving their very lives