I've been spoiled by classical education and it's relentless efforts to present history in context. These 21 stories are well written and inspiring - but they lack context. Moody Bible Institute being the organization that tied them together, I wanted a little background on the state of the institution during the time of their studies, what was known among the community of the school at the time of the deaths of the martyrs, and how their stories interacted with the developmend of Moody Bible Institute. I wanted more definition on the culture of missions in addition to the brief country profiles. And while there were some interesting gleanings from presenting the stories by country/ region (8 died in mission to China!), I would have preferred a chronological presentation that would have helped me organize world, mission, and Moody Bible Institute timelines. 
 Nonetheless, the stories are well told, thoroughly investigated. Some parts are spartan, and some information lost to time, but the unique journey, personality and testimony of each individual emerges in sketch form. Primary sources including individual school records, letters, writings, and documentation from others are included. Flaws are acknowledged and accounts of their deaths are so far from glorified as to be understated. I enjoyed the discovery and inspiration of each account. 
 But perhaps the most brilliant gem of the book is the final chapter, in which Newell provides context for both this book and martyrdom in general. It made me wish Newell had taken more time and developed these ideas further to intersperse with the biographies. The discussion of Matthew 10 was brief, but potently illuminating. The "Lessons Learned from the Martyrs" was similiarly powerful, and I want to record them here for my rememberence: 
 1) There seems to be no specific personal qualification for one to enter the ranks of martyrdom. 
 2) Great gains are realized in martyrdom. 
 3) Much pain is experienced in martyrdom. Pain for the individual as well as surviving loved ones. 
 4) A special "grace" seems to be extended to martyrs. 
 5) In martyrdom, "justice" is never served. "In no instance in the deaths of the twenty-one Moody martyrs was one perpetrator of the martyr's death ever brought to justice." 
 6) Seeking after martyrdom is unchristian. (I don't like the choice of words here, "unchristian," perhaps the Bible doesn't teach us to seek after martyrdom.) 
 7) The martyr cannot be dishonored. 
 Emerson "The martyr cannot be dishonored. Every lash inflicted is a tongue of fame; every prison a more illustrious abode; every burned book or house enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberated through the earth from side to side. The minds of men are at last aroused, reason looks out and justifies her own, and malice finds her work in vain. It is the whipper who is whipped and the tyrant who is undone." 
 8) Martyrdom is a strategy of evangelism. 
 9) Martyrdom as an example to local believers. 
 This is a book to keep around to review. I thought I would consult it for the biographies of Moody graduates, but in the end, the final chapter on martyrdom is just a valuable and likely to call me to return. Highly recommended for fellow graduates of Moody Bible Institute and it's seminary, recommended for all others.