Rhidian Brook - Godbothering: Thoughts, 2000-2020--As heard on Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4

The problem with Rhidians Thoughts is how often I find myself agreeing with him. Most annoying!

John Humphrys, presenter of BBC Radio 4s Today programme, 19872019

Gems on every page. I found myself stimulated, challenged, enlightened, and moved. This is a writer who practises what he preaches but there is nothing preachy about any of these Thoughts. They are witty and entertaining, profound and pithy. I had to ration myself so that I could reflect fully on the beauties contained in the brevity.

Laurie McGuire, Professor of English, Magdalen College, Oxford

I read the book and thought about giving up doing Thought for the Day. Profound, entertaining, wise and funny this is a masterclass in the genre. Not only does Rhidian bother us with God, he also shows how God bothers with us. A book for people who want to know God bothers with those who bother. I loved the book.

The Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds, author and broadcaster

Whether his subject is rugby, love, homelessness or ageing, Rhidian Brook writes with warmth and humanity. His faith is confident and always present, but he never forces it on us. This is a great collection of Thoughts by a wise and reassuring thinker and writer.

Victoria Hislop, author

Rhidian Brook aims for a thought that lasts a day. His can linger longer. With gentle humour, this earthy disturber of breakfasts can subvert and provoke. No cheap comfort on offer, but sharp perception and solid hope, forged in personal experience. With potential to last a lifetime.

Roy Jenkins, broadcaster

From his first script Rhidian managed to combine the best of what makes a great Thought for the Day: he draws on real life to expose the truths and absurdities that everyone can recognize, yet writes with a style that takes you to new places. He makes connections and offers insights that surprise, challenge and delight. Choosing his subject can be the best conversation of the day and hes great fun to work with, which comes across on air. He owns his faith and speaks from the heart, but most of all he sounds like himself which is sometimes harder to do than you think.

Christine Morgan, Editor, Thought for the Day and Head of BBC Religion & Ethics

I hate celebrities, Harry Potter, musicals, tables on pavements outside restaurants, carol singers and Thought for the Day. Unless Rhidian Brook is on.

Philip Kerr (19562018), novelist

Rhidian Brooks Thoughts span twenty years, forming a kind of alternative history of Britain in the twenty-first century a search for God in everything from David Beckhams broken metatarsal to the murder of Damilola Taylor, from Big Brother to the moral panic about hoodies in shopping centres. Some stories seem like items plucked from a time capsule Americas presidential choice between Kerry and Bush, the break-up of Brangelina. Other stories never seem to go away, rumbling on like the proverbial radio left on in the background: war in Syria; the Hillsborough families fight for justice; dinner party conversations about schools. The twenty-first centurys opening double-decade has given us virtue signaling, snowflakes, WhatsApp and austerity. Brook notes a turning-point in 2012 when Save the Children launched its first appeal for British children. His musings on inequality peak in a piece juxtaposing Grenfell and the Shard. Most impressive, though, is that amid two decades worth of bad news and increasing rancour, Brooks still, small, vital voice has been insistent in championing hope, embodied in a Jesus who is not left or right but way more radical than any politician in history.

Dylan Moore, author of Driving Home Both Ways

These thoughts are excellent. Rhidian understands the remit of Thought for the Day perfectly and can make the most familiar truths arresting to non-believer and believe alike. They read as well as they sound.

The Rt Revd Richard Harries FRSL, author and broadcaster

Whether considering the morality of praying for Beckhams metatarsal, Middle East peace prospects or the similarities between religion and cricket (both can be hard to appreciate, tedious and require only our nominal attention) Rhidian Brooks Thoughts are always compelling and often funny too. God is lucky to have him on side.

Miranda France, author

Rhidian Brook has made his name as one of the most thought-provoking contributors to the Thought for the Day slot on BBC Radio 4s Today programme. In just two minutes and 45 seconds he regularly offers an oasis of calm and reflection in the often bleak landscape of news. So it is an absolute treat to find twenty years worth of Rhidian Brooks Thoughts in one compendium. Read years later, Brooks clear-sighted observations on contemporary events still pack the same spiritual punch as when he delivered them on the radio. His Thoughts make the point forcefully that while politicians come and go, God doesnt and can be found at the heart of what we do every day, all day if only we are willing to look for him.

Christopher Hope, Assistant Editor and Chief Political Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph

Wise and thoughtful, Rhidians insightful collection of short-reads is sure to satisfy those seeking more to life as well as a few who arent.

Liz Earle, author, broadcaster and entrepreneur

Rhidians Thoughts have kept me rooted to the spot more times than I care to admit. I will give this wonderful book to communicators to show them how to do it, to friends to fortify them, to the lazy to challenge them and to the busy to remind them of things more important.

The Revd David Stroud, Senior Minister, Christ Church, London

I know how hard it can be to write Thought for the Day. But as a listener, if Im not captivated in the first few seconds, it becomes a verbal blur. Not so with Rhidian, whose Thoughts are elegantly crafted with imaginative storytelling and real depth. I always listen and learn. He is one of my favourites.

Mona Siddiqui OBE FRSE FRSA, Professor of Islamic and Inter-religious Studies, University of Edinburgh

Thoughts that made me Think. Thoughts that make you think. I asked Rhidian to let me do Thought for the Day, but he said no!

Garry Richardson, Today programme sports presenter

A startlingly profound miscellany of insights into the magic and messiness of everyday life from one of our wisest spiritual and cultural commentators. God be thanked for Rhidian Brook.

Dr James Orr, University Lecturer in Philosophy of Religion, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge

Rhidians determination to find the ineffable in the quotidian is heroic. These gem-like Thoughts sparkle across the diverse territories he traverses, honouring the sacred in the seemingly banal, while challenging societal ills that have gained an all-too-distressing momentum over the last twenty years. And while remaining so well-mannered and jovial too. A triumph!

Omid Djalili, comedian, actor and producer

First published in Great Britain in 2020

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Copyright Rhidian Brook 2020

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.