An autobiography is a special kind of book which depends on a variety of factors for its interest. If the writer is already well known those who have come to respect him for his contributions will naturally be keen to know something more of his background and those for whom the writer is less known will also discover many fascinating aspects in the writer’s reminiscences.
When the autobiographer is a leading New Testament scholar like Professor Bruce, it is not surprising that his book ranges over a wide range of topics. In view of his origin among the Brethren and his life long association with them, it is only to be expected that a proportion of the book is taken up with historical notes and reminiscences which will be especially fascinating to those who belong to such Christian assemblies. It will also throw some light on the matter for those less acquainted. Professor Bruce’s memories of his early years will, in fact, be interesting to all who know him. His warm regard for his parents and their strong Christian influence upon him shines through. This is evident when near the end of the book he rates the gift of an evangelist higher than that of a scholar, for his father was for more than fifty years an evangelist.
Not only his religious progress but also his distinguished academic career is described with his well known meticulous attention to detail. The most intriguing feature of these sections of the book are the great number of people who are named, to many of whom Professor Bruce acknowledges his indebtedness. It is possible to detect the numerous influences which have gone into the making of the man as we know him today.
As is to be expected Professor Bruce has much to say about books, about those which influenced him in his boyhood, those which fired his imagination when he was a student, those which he has himself written (to the enrichment of countless readers) and even those which he would choose to take on a desert island with him, although he acknowledges that that possibility is remote.
The book unveils before us a man of many parts—a University professor, a Bible teacher, a writer, an editor and an indefatigable encourager of others. Some readers will no doubt feel disappointed that Professor Bruce does not tell us more about himself and his family, but he has anticipated this at the conclusion of the book and has explained that he prefers not to display these personal matters in public. Such a decision must be respected, although it tends to rob the book of a certain amount of vitality. As a chronicle of events and people which have contributed to the author’s life, the book may be said to be comprehensive, but we would like to have discovered more about the man himself.
