12 POWERS CLUB BOOK REVIEWS by Rev. Mary Beth Speer
Power: Zeal
Book recommendation:
THE GAME OF LIFE and HOW TO PLAY IT
By Florence Scovel Shinn
DeVorss Publications
Whether you are new to New Thought or are a long-time student, you have probably encountered the classic work, THE GAME OF LIFE by Florence Scovel Shinn. To understand why I chose this work for the Power of Zeal, I want to share some back story on this author’s interesting life.
While Florence Scovel was an American blue-blood, (her maternal ancestry included a signatory to the Declaration of Independence), she was not from an affluent family. Florence was an artist and married an artist, Everett Shinn, wherein they moved to New York City and pursued their artistic careers (Florence, called “Little Flossie,” always hanging in the background so as not to overshadow her husband.) In 1912, after fourteen years of marriage, she was hit hard when Everett announced his desire to divorce. As stated by a friend, Ira Glackens,
“….(she) took some time to recover from the blow, and when she did she embarked on an entirely new career and seems never to have drawn again. She got religion, but in a way all her own. I believe Flossie’s religion was what is known as New Thought or Unity. It was a religion of success.”
Over the next decade, Florence devoted herself to working out her own philosophy which she poured into her first book with the sure-fire title, “THE GAME OF LIFE AND HOW TO PLAY IT.” In 1925, when publishers turned it down, she sold her heirloom silver and published it herself.
Florence became a successful metaphysical teacher, lecturer and author, going on to write three additional books while establishing herself as a prominent fixture in New Thought/Unity circles. Though she never visited Unity headquarters or took their courses, her books have been frequently used as texts for class lessons within Unity, Religious Science and Divine Science ministries.
The illustrious Emmet Fox, a contemporary of Florence, provided a verbal sketch:
“One secret of Florence’s success was that she was always herself…colloquial, informal, friendly and humorous. She never sought to be literary, conventional or impressive. For this reason she appealed to thousands…She herself was very spiritual, although this was usually hidden behind a matter-of-fact and carefree treatment of her subject. She taught by familiar, practical and everyday examples.”
And what of her former husband, Everett Shinn? Well, he visited Florence often in her lovely, large apartment on Fifth Avenue, overlooking Central Park…particularly when he decided to marry again…and again…and again…. Each time, Florence would bless the marriage and say, “Now this is the real one!” But after four marriages, Everett ultimately died divorced.
The very titles of Florence Scovil Shinn’s books exhibit her zest and zeal for metaphysics and life. While every book is a stand-alone treasure, THE GAME OF LIFE remains her most popular and potent work.
And so it begins:
“THE GAME. Most people consider life a battle, but it is not a battle, it is a game. It is a game, however, which cannot be played successfully without the knowledge of spiritual law, and the Old and the New Testaments give the rules of the game with wonderful clearness….” And ends… “All power is given man (through right thinking) to bring his heaven upon his earth, and this is the goal of the ‘Game of Life.’…..’Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.’”
Expanded Book Recommendation:
THE WRITINGS OF FLORENCE SCOVEL SHINN
(Which includes THE GAME OF LIFE, YOUR WORD IS YOUR WAND,
THE SECRET DOOR TO SUCCESS and THE POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD)