Rora

by James Byron Huggins

Book Overview

Based upon the historic stand of the Waldenses against the Inquisitors in 1655, Rora is a spellbinding tale of a legendary hero and a faith that refused to die. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891668080
• ISBN13: 9781891668081
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Lion's Head Pub
• Length: 471 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

My 3rd time reading Rora

I am in the process of rereading Rora for the 3rd time. Mr Huggins has captivated my attention with a thrilling story based on facts. This story deserves to be made into a motion picture. Filled with faith most of all & adventure! We are desperately in need of leaders like Joshua Gianavel in this day & time who stand in unflinching faith in God. I purchased this book when my wife & I visited Valdese, NC several years ago where the Waldensians settled to flee from persecution.

Every Christian should read this epic story!

In our day, when the greatest "persecution" many Christians face is an occasional snide remark, "Rora" is a powerful reminder of what true believers have had to endure through the ages. Set during the mid-17th century (the 1600's for you non-history buffs), Rora tells the epic tale of Joshua Gianavel, the leader of a small group of Protestant believers called the Waldenses who live in a valley high in the Alps along the Italian-Swiss border (the "Piedmont"). The Roman Catholic Inquisition is determined to massacre them, and has strong-armed the Duke of Savoy into mounting an invasion of the Waldenses' nearly impregnable mountain home. All that stands between the Waldenses and gruesome martyrdom is the tiny force commanded by Gianavel. Huggins has done the world a great service by researching these events and bringing them to life for modern readers. He pulls no punches describing the brutality of war and the horrific torture, mutilation, and death inflicted by the Inquisition. Not all the characters are sketched in simple black-and-white terms, however, and Huggins is excellent at portraying the behind-the-scenes political intrigue and backstabbing that occur as the sacred and secular authorities compete for dominance. I do have a few minor quibbles with the book. First, since I'm not familiar with the geography of the Piedmont, I was almost desperate for a map. This is especially true since the novel is primarily the story of a military campaign; seeing the physical relationship between the various mountain valleys and passes would have been an enormous help. Second, although Joshua Gianavel was certainly a bona fide hero, Huggins practically portrays him as a demi-god who can do no wrong. After a while I grew tired of Huggins waxing eloquent about his brawn and brilliance, like he was a combination of Robert E. Lee, the archangel Michael, and Rambo. Surely, he had some flaws or weaknesses that the author could have used to show more facets of his character. I would also like to have learned a bit more about the teachings of the Waldenses, and seen how their sturdy and simple faith was lived out every day. All things considered though, the epic grandeur of the story elevates it above the problems with Huggins' storytelling. "Rora" is a must-read, five-star novel.

Highly Recommended

I'm not a fan of historical fiction because it typically is more fiction than historical, and the author's attempt to rationalize his or her popular-hero-worship. But, with Rora, Huggins produces what historical fiction should be: Taking a piece of unpopular history, and showing us that faith, liberty and justice do indeed have a price, how great that price is, and how ordinary people have paid it. We live in a time when we can hardly imagine that price, let alone ourselves ponying it up. If you believe that there is a cycle to history, this book is for you. If you believe that faith is too extreme for Modern Civilization, liberty is dangerous, and justice is doing what you are told, this book is not for you. "What chains can hold is man's. The rest is God's"

Great Story of a True Christian Hero

This was my first book by James Huggins (I bought it after reading Newt Gingrich's review) and I was not disappointed. I have studied church history in the past and am familiar with the Waldensians, whose story this is based on, but had never heard of Rora, or the hero, Joshua Gianavel. One reviewer said that the characters are unbelievable, and I can see how someone would say this. So, I looked around for more on Joshua Gianavel and found accounts of his life and the story of Rora in Foxe's Book of Martyrs and Wylie's History of Protestantism. Suffice it to say, the true Gianavel was quite a guy. This story is inspirational on several levels. It shows what one person can do against seemingly insurmountable odds and it gives a good demonstration of someone with the courage of their convictions. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good story, as I had a very hard time putting it down. It will also give some insight into the Waldensian movement and the Inquisition. But I believe it especially needs to be read by those in leadership, as Gianavel is one who truly was a great leader.

How Strong is Your Faith?

I have never been that great a history fan, but I am a fan of Mr Huggins. So, I took a chance...and glad I did. I am always seeking something new in my reading choices, and this meet all my requirements. Factual, strong characters on both sides, and my favorite, the "David & Goliath" conflict in which the "David" is never susposed to gain victory. Will Joshua find victory...and at what cost? Read this well researched and written book and find out!!

Compelling and emotionally heart-wrenching

Think "Braveheart" and "The Patriot" with a better story than either and you will catch a glimpse of how profound this book is. Character development was as thorough as in any book I have read. The story is one of an undying faith that would not be quenched by any evil thrown against it. I walk away from this book examining my own faith and how I would respond to what the people of Rora faced. Joshua Gianavel is a historical figure that must be recognized and lauded as one of the truly great men of history. My fear is that the lack of political-correctness of this book (the war between Catholics and Protestants) will keep it from becoming a major motion picture, even though the story screams for that. I'll be thinking about this book for some time!