The Search for God and Guinness is written by New York Times best-selling author, Stephen Mansfield. In The Search for God and Guinness, Mansfield makes a very successful attempt at showing the history of one of the worlds largest beer brewers. The history that you find in this book, however, is surprising in that the Guinness family has actually been compassionate to those in need in the name of Christ.
I was immediately drawn into the book as Mansfield gives a humorous story about a blonde he met outside of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland that had no idea what the company did. What captured my attention even more is how the company has used their wealth to help so many people. Did you know Arthur Guinness (the founder) is responsible for starting Sunday schools all over Dublin?
I have always said that there are two kinds of cultures that surround this beverage. One can be found on almost every college campus, which is drinking beer for the sole reason to get drunk. The other, much more respectable culture is about people enjoying the beverage because they enjoy the taste with no intent to get drunk.
After reading this book, I think it would be safe to say that Arthur Guinness, his descendants, as well as the rest of the company would like to be associated with the later of the two cultures.
In the end, reading through The Search for God and Guinness has been encouraging. Seeing a wealthy family rise up to the needs of their community instead of being greedy and selfish brings a great respect for Guinness.
