God's Army

Linked to a six-part Channel 4 television series, this is an exploration of the inner workings of the Salvation Army as it tries to adapt to changing times through corporate restructuring without compromising its ideals. The book focuses on various aspects of the organization's work, including the two-year officer-training programme, care for the homeless (the Salvation Army is the second-largest provider of social services after the government), and the family-tracing service which locates at least 12 people every day. Looking beyond current concerns, the author examines the Army's history, and the principles which inspired William Booth in 1865 and continue to guide his followers today.