The Banjo Essays is an inspirational work that takes the personal experiences of an amateur bluegrass musician and applies the lessons learned in banjo playing to life in general. Written in a light tone, each chapter presents a topic with observations, anecdotes, and discussions of philosophers and writers. The Banjo Essays brings together the interrelationships that exist among faith, tackling a new musical instrument, and how we live our everyday lives. Yet one does not need to be a bluegrass enthusiast or even religious to appreciate the extended metaphors presented, and its shorter length and conversational tone have drawn a wide-range of readers.