Editorial Reviews

The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle

★★★★★

The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle: Examining the Mystery of Life by Marcus Hurst answers some very thought-provoking questions that humans have been asking for centuries. Everyone wants to know the answers to the big questions about what life is, what they have to do, what is going to be there when they die? These are the questions that have been asked frequently, yet no one seems to have the answers to them. While there are many explanations for what we are supposed to do, no one can be sure as to what is the purpose of life. In this book, the author shares some insightful thoughts and ideas that might point readers in the right direction.

The questions answered in this book are so easy, yet so difficult. The author tried his best to not only give an answer but also offer a solution. What I loved most about this book was how the author gave a presentation with his words. The information was given in small segments and in bursts so that it remained interesting and digestible. He paints a clear picture of the reality and gives the reader a lot to think about, but nothing is forced on them. The author gave the information without being too aggressive; it was really up to me what I wanted to do with this information. The simple yet powerful expressions, the choice of words and the way the words were written made it a very poignant read. A fascinating book that will do wonders for people who are looking for answers!

— Rabia Tanveer (for Readers’ Favorite)

★★★★★

The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle: Explanations for the Mystery of Life by author Marcus Hurst embarks upon a journey of philosophy, religion and discovery, revealed by the author over decades of his pondering and researching the reasons behind the existence of humanity; as he attempts to answer the age-old question of “Why are we here?” The basis for all meaning of existence, Hurst grounds his logic squarely rooted with many excerpts from the Holy Bible, along with his original articulation of his conviction of his indelible faith in Christianity. Obviously, as one would expect, a great many scriptures are woven throughout the text. Yet a surprising amount of thought, descriptions and background within these pages also deals with Satan, the conflict of good versus evil and the choices of free will man is given by the Lord.

Just as directions to a destination are made more clear with, for example, a road map, The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle is intended to be on the same higher level of clarity; helping readers to piece together the often confusing and contradicting elements of going through life and making choices by seeing the “big-picture” outlined in front of them within his remarkably laid out pages. With the galley text providing clear quotations, bullet-pointed highlights and a sequential “flow” of logic cascading from chapter to chapter, readers are proposed a scenario in which they can either accept, argue or disbelieve, but certainly cannot ignore and will be captivated by Hurst’s unambiguous presentation.

Analogous to a treasure chest, within the sparkling brightness of jewels and colors are nuggets of gold and diamonds. The book is spaciously laid out to be read easily and in my case during one sitting, whereas I read it again a few days later prior to writing this review – and enjoyed it more the second time. This type of book is ideal to share with friends or loved ones, or can be used in a book club or church group as the basis for discussions. I found from the onset, with quotations from King Solomon to the intricacies of the working of the Devil, how consistent Hurst’s faith has guided his understanding to reveal to him the meaning of life. After all, isn’t that what we all are seeking and truly wish to know?

— Barbara Miller (Pacific Book Review)

★★★★

Marcus Hurst’s The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle: Examining the Mystery of Life centers around the author’s insights, experiences, and the conclusions he reaches regarding some of life’s big questions: What are we expected to get out of life? What does it mean to have a soul? Why are we here? It pursues the truth with Hurst’s experiences and the Holy Bible as the foundations and delves into the relationship a person has with God, whether they believe in him or not. This piece of literature gives scenarios and logic to support Hurst’s answers to life’s questions, focusing mostly on topics relating to Christianity, God’s family, our relationship with God, a person’s soul, and life’s big picture.

Everyone has different beliefs in life because we were all raised differently and experienced life differently. We all have different answers to life’s questions. Sometimes we don’t even have answers at all and that’s where The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle comes in. Marcus Hurst generously shares his outlook and philosophy when it comes to life and Christianity. As I read through the questions and answers Hurst has come up with in his decades of living in this world, I was given the choice to agree or disagree with him on his viewpoints. As written by Hurst, “God chose to give us the independence of making our own choices.” Hurst was never forceful in his beliefs or his answers; it was simply a question, an answer, and why and how he came up with such an answer. To me, it felt like I was reading a wonderful person’s philosophy on why he believes things are the way they are, all without being pressured to answer or to agree. This made the book even more appealing to me. I was able to see and understand life and God in a new, refreshing way. Hurst has a unique, convincing way of explaining and supporting his answers when it comes to life’s big questions and it helps bolster me through my own confusion and trials in life.

— Jessica Barbosa (for Readers’ Favorite)

★★★★★

While riffing through some books that I own but still haven’t gotten to pick up yet, I came upon Marcus Hurst’s “The Box Top Life’s Puzzle”. From the very beginning of the book, I was already intrigued and captivated. I’m sure there are many that would agree with me especially those that are into philosophy and religion. While it’s not my usual reading material, I found myself hooked and it definitely aroused my curiosity.

The historical facet of the book was really what drew me in. It’s a quick read but it had such a propitious speculation. Marcus Hurst uncloak his right smart spell of his research and put on a thinking cap mainly to give reasons behind the existence of humanity and what we are truly here for. Basically, it talks about the foundation for all meaning of entity. This book intends to help readers fathom and make sense of the recurrently and refuting fundamentals of withstanding life and making choices. What I like about this book is how readers are granted a choice to either accept or put up a struggle but doubtlessly opens up your mind to a lot of possibilities.

This is not your typical story about good and evil. Overall, we can all learn a lot from this book and the author has set a very high bar for himself although I am positive that whatever he writes next will be even better and I can’t just wait for that to happen.

– Olivia R. (For Dusk Till Dawn Reading)

★★★★★

The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle: Examining the Mystery of Life is a work of non-fiction focused on self-help, self-discovery and religious themes, and was penned by author Marcus Hurst. With a particular focus on locating the notion of truth and trying not to live in falsehoods, this exploratory and religiously philosophical guidebook attempts to produce a concise approach to the puzzle of life. The work is separated into sections which slowly progress from the truths and lies we tell ourselves every day into an explanation of life according to the Christian faith and a life lived according to the works of the Bible.

For Christians who are perhaps in a phase of doubting their faith or fearing the answers to important questions of existence and the afterlife, author Marcus Hurst provides a stringent and concise guide to re-establish the principles of your faith. Connecting the spiritual life to the modern ways of living, Hurst makes some cogent points about the nature of life in contemporary times, and the trials that it can provide for modern day Christians attempting to continue on the path of God. The prose is well constructed and suitably complex for the issues discussed, with an overall air of confidence and professionalism that is sure to inspire others. I found the added personal elements, where Hurst discusses his own witnessing of ‘acts of God’, to be particularly intriguing and heartfelt too. Overall, The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle: Examining the Mystery of Life works well as an affirmation read for anyone seeking the reassurance of their faith.

— K.C. Finn (for Readers’ Favorite)

★★★★★

The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle: Examining the Mystery of Life by Marcus Hurst is an insightful book that tries to solve the mysteries surrounding life and look at the big picture in which the existence of the universe and explanations for life trace their views to evolution and intelligent design. The book gives answers to a lot of unanswered questions about God and life and gives readers a new perspective on how to view the complexities of life. The book is concise, communicates the truth, and gives readers a meaning and purpose to life. Accepting the concepts in the book may be intimidating at times but the author does a great job in helping readers understand the power of God and how they can function best when they maintain a relationship with him.

The author helps readers open their minds to a lot of new possibilities when it comes to solving the puzzle of life. Hurst also speaks in detail about his relationship with God and Satan and his allegiance to God. The book also gives some insights on what happens to the soul after the physical body dies. There are many quotes from the Bible and reading this book will help readers believe that God loves them unconditionally, Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead, God has the power to forgive and forget, and he will forgive everybody’s sins if they ask him. The question and answer session after each chapter is helpful when it comes to finding answers to the questions. This book can be used in Bible classes to help readers get a clearer idea about the truth of life.

— Mamta Madhavan (for Readers’ Favorite)

★★★★

In The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle, Marcus Hurst recounts his personal experience on how he found answers to life’s big questions. One of the things he discovered was that pride is our biggest hindrance when searching for the truth. He mentions pride throughout the book as he lays out his blanket invitation on how to complete life’s puzzle. This book on religion fused with philosophy tackles the power of the open mind when it comes to accepting the truth. In the beginning pages, Mr. Hurst waxes inspirational as he lures us into the enlightening experience that culminated in his arrival at the truth. He then proceeds to offer a comparative discourse between creationism and naturalism. As to how he handles this age-old clash of perspectives, he says, “I do not mean to criticize or belittle anyone that believes evolution to be a fact. I acknowledge, if I would have grown up in the environment they grew up in, I probably would believe it too.” The book is “truth” as he knows it, and he claims to speak from experience.

Mr. Hurst is a staunch defender of the faith. His approach to religious and philosophical experience becomes so intertwined, but his identity is toward a particular leaning on biblical abstractions. He celebrates our capacity to find profound answers through the architecture of a High Power, and that our suffering, for whatever it’s worth, is a concomitant to the sturdiness of our faith. We can let ourselves walk with Mr. Hurst by reading The Box Top to Life’s Puzzle, allow ourselves to enter into self-assessment and analyze his claim to truth. With the Bible as his primary source of information and a few inspirational and spiritual references listed in the bibliography, this book will cater to like-minded keepers of the faith.

— Vincent Dublado (for Readers’ Favorite)