Review: For Such a Time as This: Appointed to Rise by Amy Bragdon

A fearless collection of uplifting lessons and stories about the powerful potential we each possess, For Such a Time as This: Appointed to Rise by Amy Bragdon is a rousing call to life-changing action. Reflecting on her own biographical journey and the legacy she intends to leave behind, the author artfully distills a bounty of wisdom she has gathered along the way.

Structurally, the book presents ten Appointments – philosophical and personal truths that “will reframe your identity, restore your hope, and reignite your purpose.” These include embracing the purposeful “yes” in your life, choosing courage no matter the cost, offering unconditional compassion, leading with love, and using your voice to speak truth to power. Acknowledging the vulnerability and weak points of our collective nature, as well as the nonexistence of a “perfect time” to change one’s path, this book is a poetic reminder that every life is rich with potential, and every soul is called to a higher purpose.

Alongside examples of legendary and groundbreaking women, from Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai to Ruth Graham and Joan of Arc, the author contributes her own hard-won pearls of insight, encouraging readers to seize the day and embrace their nascent power, regardless of societal or historical norms. Weaving a tapestry of affirmations, prayers, parables, and practical steps for immediate engagement, the author simultaneously delivers inspiration and the opportunity to act.

The interspersed photographs and recollections from Bragdon’s life ground the book as a memoir, but the universal truths and advice make it feel more like a self-improvement manifesto with deep spiritual undertones. Defying a clear genre distinction, the prose is a mix of personal wisdom and well-established aphorisms, flavored with biblical touch points and existential mantras. The book’s core lessons and foundational messaging are deeply tied to Christianity and the author’s unwavering beliefs, but the interactive elements and practical techniques for legacy building are applicable to any reader, regardless of faith.

In terms of execution, the book is marked by familiar tropes from self-help texts – while much of the writing feels creative and contemporary, other sections feel like repackaged self-help classics, e.g., thoughts becoming manifest, the importance of personal intention, and the need to take accountability for missteps. The narrative relies a bit too heavily on negative/positive binaries that are somewhat vague in their proclamations: “Joan’s yes wasn’t safe—but it was sacred. Like Esther, she wasn’t perfect. She was appointed.” Similarly, the titular phrase “appointed to rise” appears in the book dozens of times, which is a persistent callback, but loses its impact over time.

The writing is also peppered with italicized and bold words/phrases that are inconsistently used and don’t always heighten the text. The repeated syntactical patterns and frequent line breaks make the writing resemble a collection of blogs or journal entries, rather than a fully organized guide with a cohesive and clear messaging arc, even with thematic throughlines.

Though there are moments of underdeveloped delivery, and the prose would benefit from less dramatic formatting, the narrative style is propulsive, drawing readers quickly through the guidance and anecdotes, and the passionate intention behind the book is both persuasive and inspiring.