Book Review: Jungle Warfare

So, I'm not a salesperson, but I'm the wife of one. So, in efforts to help my husband with his business and to be (hopefully) an encouragement to him, I decided to read Jungle Warfare: A Basic Field Manual for Christians in Sales by Christopher Cunningham.

Adapted from his Grandfather's World War II era military issued "basic field manual on jungle warfare," Cunningham connects the strategies and thoughts demanded for combat in an unknown jungle land with the jungle that is life as a Christian, especially in the sales industry. With God as the ultimate Guide, the Christian salesperson is asked to prepare for battle on two fronts- spiritually and in the business realm. But really, they are connected. Cunningham's underlying tone is that when a person is spiritually growing, with God on the throne of his/her life, and eager to serve Him in whatever facet- then business success (though not always the way our earthly minds imagine it) will follow.

This 22 battle plan book was set up as a small devotional for the reader; with sections on part of the original war manual, a verse from our 'manual', thoughts from the author, then a series of questions and a prayer. I found the set up to be quick, simple, but choppy. I rarely found the connection between all of the components, and more often than not I found the material lacking cohesion or stretching the material to 'make it fit'. Following the 22 day plan were a list of popular questions that I believe a lot of business people, particularly men, ask with verses and a thought from the author as an answer. For example- does God care about my sales numbers or what do I do about success?

I found this book to be reminiscent of a 1 minute radio spot. The quick one line thoughts are good, but not very deep. The one minute radio spot may get you thinking, but often quickly move on to the next item at hand. With some further study, I believe Cunningham's thoughts on integrity in the business world, trusting God with our whole life- including our sales, learning to rest and be still, and the connection between being a person after God's heart first with the sales coming after are all good ideas, but I left feeling empty and wanting more. I felt as though I had heard the 'token devotional' before my Christian college classes. I did appreciate the sales person's creed based off of the American soldier's creed.

This book would work very well for quick devotionals in the business world or with a small group of men. It would allow for more open discussion and lead into further research in scripture of what God says about each the subjects. I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.