Stumbling On Open Ground to be published Jan. 15

STUMBLING ON OPEN GROUND REVEALS

MUSIC INDUSTRY ICON’S FAITH IN THE FACE OF CANCER

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— GRAMMY® Award-winning former Beatles executive and music industry icon Ken Mansfield chronicles a deeply personal journey of faith and struggle in his highly-anticipated fourth title, Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll (Thomas Nelson, January 15).

Revealing ongoing trials with two bouts of cancer, Mansfield’s memoir thoughtfully frames his spiritual struggle and physical pain in the light of ultimate healing and triumph. Sharing personal prayers and honest insight alongside remarkable moments from his storied music career, he confronts his failing body, a faith that both falters and soars, and the questions that aren’t supposed to be asked—but need to be answered.

Stumbling on Open Ground also features contributions from Mansfield’s wife of 25-years, Connie. Offering a candid glimpse into a marriage facing one of life’s greatest challenges, the couple trace the work of an extraordinary God who has transformed them both in the process.

 

“Dealing with cancer is not as linear as most books describe the ordeal,” Mansfield shares. “Going into it, going through it, and coming out of cancer is not that orderly. The battle is more of a hanging on, a falling apart, a sense of loss, and a lot of lonely flailing among the rubble.”

“This is a quest for deeper comprehension, a desire to dip beneath the opaque surface,” he adds. “As a child, I would ask my earthly father how to do things. As a child of God, I am asking my heavenly Father how this all works between Him and me.”

Ken Mansfield’s legendary career in the music industry includes tenures as the U.S. manager of the Beatles’ Apple Records, an executive at Capitol Records, a vice president at MGM Records, and president of Andy Williams’ Barnaby Records (CBS Records), among numerous influential roles. He has worked with such artists as the Beach Boys, James Taylor, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell and Lou Rawls.

Instrumental in launching country music’s “Outlaw” movement in the 1970s, Mansfield was involved in the careers of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, among others. He produced Colter's #1 hit "I'm Not Lisa," as well as Jennings’ 1975 landmark recording, Are You Ready For The Country. He also produced the Gaither Vocal Band’s GRAMMY® Award-winning 1991 Homecoming album. The seminal release precipitated the resurgence of Southern Gospel music and the Gaither Homecoming series of recordings, videos and concerts.    

Since devoting his life to Christ more than two decades ago, Mansfield is now an ordained minister and sought-after speaker. He appears at churches, special events and colleges across the nation and has authored The Beatles, The Bible and Bodega Bay (B&H); The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insiders Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson); and Between Wyomings (Thomas Nelson).

Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll ($15.99), a 256-page trade paper title, will be available January 15 from Thomas Nelson.

For further information, visit www.thomasnelson.com or www.turningpointpr.com.

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Stumbling on Open Ground by Ken Mansfield

Rock and Roll, Cancer, and God’s Love Collide at the Crossroads of Doubt and Faith

Stumbling on Open Ground is a story of private trial and faith like those found in the books of Esther and Job. Punctuated with stories from Mansfield’s years in the music business—working with George Harrison and Waylon Jennings, among others—Stumbling on Open Ground is a private dialogue between a charismatic man, his loving wife, and the extraordinary God who transformed them both in the middle of a heartbreaking disease.

“Dealing with cancer is not as linear as most books describe the ordeal. Going into it, going through it, and coming out of cancer is not that orderly. The battle is more of a hanging on, a falling apart, a sense of loss, and a lot of lonely flailing among the rubble.”

                                                                                    —Ken Mansfield

Ken’s story is told in tandem with his wife, Connie. She is the enduring comforter, a co-victim of cancer whose capacity for selfless, empathetic eros comprises the human counterpart to God’s agape. This is the consummate love story of two people on a journey with God to the edge and back.

Stumbling on Open Ground is a must-read for anyone who has ever needed strength in moments of trial and doubt.  

Ken Mansfield is the former US manager of the Beatles’ Apple Record Company and an award-winning producer. Ken is an ordained minister and public speaker who appears at churches, colleges, and events across the nation.

Definitive Pete Maravich book now in paperback

"The definitive biography of Pete Maravich" - David Lloyd, ESPN sports commentator

One of 2007's most acclaimed sports biographies is now in paperback. Focus on the Family and Tyndale Publishers proudly present Pete Maravich: The Authorized Biography of Pistol Pete by Wayne Federman and Marshall Terrill.

With a new photo section and a foreword by Dr. James Dobson, the 480-page biography is the definitive account of the basketball superstar.

After staying silent for two decades, Jackie Maravich has welcomed authors Federman and Terrill into the superstar basketball player's private world. She has shared her personal memories and also provided unfettered access to the family archive of scrapbooks, films, letters, calendars, diaries, and photographs to allow Pete's story to be fully told for the first time.

The result is Pete Maravich, the Authorized Biography of Pistol Pete.

From childhood Pete Maravich mesmerized fans and opponents alike with audacious ball handling and relentless scoring. Julius Erving called him "a basketball genius." The mop-topped, floppy-socked prodigy was a legend at LSU, averaging a staggering 44.2 points per game--the highest in NCAA history. Then a brilliant pro career with the Hawks, Jazz and Celtics led to enshrinement in the Hall of Fame and selection as one of the top 50 players in NBA history.

But there was a price. Maravich brought a child-like exuberance to the court that often masked a tortured and confused adult. His obsessive personality--he often referred to himself as a "basketball android"--and inability to win a championship triggered despair and thoughts of suicide. Eventually he found peace in Christianity and a quiet home life.

Then, at age 40, Maravich died. The exact cause--a congenital heart defect-- stunned both the sports and medical worlds. Pistol Pete had been living on borrowed time. It was called a medical miracle that he survived his teens, let alone become a superstar athlete.

In addition to countless hours spent with Jackie and her sons, Jaeson and Joshua, the authors also interviewed more than 300 teammates, opponents, journalists, coaches, detractors, fans, and extended family to bring back to vivid life the story of a transcendent athlete who thrilled everyone except himself.

Also included is a comprehensive appendix of Maravich statistics, plus Pistol Pete's 25 greatest games.

For more information, go to www.MaravichBook.com