John Pritchard certainly knows what makes a "value-added" book. He starts with the head-snapping observation that Easter day, "the most astonishing day in the history of the world," is filled with momentary sheer, wild, abandoned ecstasy, "and then we have a bank holiday." His mission is clear: He wants to offer a range of thoughts, insights, resources, and ideas for action that might help us preserve our Easter faith throughout the year. He starts with some basics: a comparison of details from the four gospels and further scripture evidence that we are dealing with a true resurrection. His chapter on what the disciples did after the resurrection is presented in a calendar-like format based on the feast days of the 11 (no feast day for Judas Iscariot, of course). In separate short paragraphs we learn some background, including the several different names used in scripture for certain disciples and their relationships to one another, to Jesus, and to their community.

The second section focuses on celebrating the Resurrection and includes current secular practices, a prayer service based on "stations of the resurrection," and 24 daily reflections on relevant New Testament passages. Next we find two ready-made small group series, true stories on the Easter theme, prayer activities, and Easter poetry. Individual and small groups will find this clear, insightful work immensely usable and inspiring.