The Search for God and Guinness: A Biography of the Beer that Changed the World

Stephen Mansfield

Oct 2009 · Sold by Thomas Nelson

About this ebook

The history of Guinness, one of the world's most famous brands, reveals the noble heights and generosity of a great family and an innovative business.

The history began in Ireland during the late 1700s when the water in Ireland as well as throughout Europe was famously undrinkable, and the gin and whiskey that took its place was devastating civil society.

It was a disease ridden, starvation plagued, alcoholic age, and Christians like Arthur Guinness, as well as monks and evangelical churches, brewed beer that provided a healthier alternative to the poisonous waters and liquors of the times. This is where the Guinness tale began.

Now, 246 years and 150 countries later, Guinness is a global brand and one of the most consumed beverages in the world. The tale that unfolds during those two and a half centuries has power to thrill audiences today including:

• the generational drama,
• business adventure,
• industrial and social reforms,
• deep-felt faith, and the beer itself.

The Search for God and Guinness is an amazing, true story of how the Guinness family used its wealth and influence to touch millions during a dark age.

Ratings and reviews

Arthur Guinness founded the first Sunday schools in Ireland, fought against dueling, and chaired the board of a hospital for the poor Henry Grattan Guinness, grandson of brewery founder Arthur Guinness, was a Christian leader of such impact that he was ranked with Dwight L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon in his day. He has been called the Billy Graham of the nineteenth century In the 1890s, Rupert Guinness, future head of the brewery, received five million pounds from his father on his wedding day. Shortly after, he moved into a house in the slums and launched a series of programs that served the poor A Guinness chief medical officer, Dr. John Lumsden, personally visited thousands of Dublin homes in 1900 and used what he learned to help the company fight disease, squalor, and ignorance During World War I, Guinness guaranteed all of its employees who served in uniform that their jobs would be waiting for them when they came home. Guinness also paid half salaries to the family of each man who served. A Guinness worker during the 1920s enjoyed full medical and dental care, massage services, reading rooms, subsidized meals, a company-funded pension, educational benefits, sports facilities, free concerts, lectures and entertainment, and a guaranteed two pints of Guinness beer a day If you are seeing some intriguing stories there, then you need to read Stephen Mansfield’s “The Search for God and Guinness” to get the full background on the wonderful story of the Guinness legacy – not just the beer, but just as importantly, the family, philanthropy, and vibrant faith that founder Arthur Guinness instilled in the company that lives on even today. Guinness is one of the most successful brands of beer in the world today. Guinness is brewed at one of the largest breweries in the world, and consumed at a rate of more than 10 million pints every day. But the book isn’t just about the beer – as a matter of fact, it’s probably the least important part of the book. “God and Guinness” is really about the Guinness family legacy and culture. It is the Guinness culture that for nearly two centuries changed the lives of Guinness workers, transformed poverty in Dublin, and inspired other companies

Arthur the First was a remarkable man who left a rich legacy of character, faith and resources that multiplied in his business and family.

It was good to get a historical and proper basis for such a popular company.

About the author

Stephen Mansfield is the New York Times bestselling author of Lincoln's Battle with God, The Faith of Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI, Searching for God and Guinness, and Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Beverly.