Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery
Book Review: Amazing Grace
Summary: 5 Stars
Very good book. I knew little about the England of that day. I wanted to learn more.Book Review: Better than the Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas is the New York Times bestseller about the life of William Wilberforce. The subtitle describes the theme: The heroic campaign to end slavery.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Metaxas's book because he so obviously liked and admired his subject. In the epilogue he writes, "I confess that while writing this book I sometimes had the happy sense that Wilberforce was present, or on the verge of it, twinkling with delight at my elbow, wearing that rosebud smile of his, head quizzically cocked."
However, it is Mr. Metaxas's sharp wit and skill with words - not his admiration - that brings Mr. Wilberforce to life and illuminates the dark underbelly of the Georgian era that arose from the unfeeling and unquestioning pursuit of the enlightenment. I sputtered in startled amusement when Mr. Metaxas described the public ox roast that William Wilberforce hosted when he stood for Parliament the first time, an event that had occurred in
"1809 to celebrate to Golden Jubilee of King George III, and another was held in 1887 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Victoria. And here now, in Hull in 1780, an ox roast was held to celebrate the twenty-first birthday of the grandson of the late Alderman, the scion of the great Wilberforce family, a tiny, brilliant, and exceedingly ambitious young man who happened to be standing for Parliament in the general election just two weeks away . . . .
It was duly noted that the newly minted twenty-one-year-old had won exactly as many votes as his two opponents combined, which gave him a nice little push as he entered parliament--the ox had not twirled in vain."
Mr. Metaxas writes with empathy as well as with a sharp wit. Without understanding the oppressiveness of the Georgian society, one cannot understand William Wilberforce's achievement. After describing the "cruelty, vulgarity, and hopelessness" of the poor, Mr. Metaxas describes "prostitution, which was so rampant one can scarcely imagine it. No less than 25 percent of all unmarried women in London were prostitutes. There were brothels that exclusively offered the services of girls under fourteen, and the average age of a prostitute in London during those years was sixteen."
And Mr. Wilberforce persevered and overcame, becoming the voice of conscience for his society.
Mr. Metaxas is at his best when he describes the life of William Wilberforce--his upbringing and early life that planted the seeds of his later life, but nearly caused him to turn his back on his great calling--his friendships, his marriage, and the effects of the multitude of setbacks on Mr. Wilberforce. Though absorbing, the text becomes drier when Mr. Metaxas focuses on the issues themselves, particularly the slave trade, rather than on the person of Mr. Wilberforce as he participated in those issues.
The Faith Discussion Guide at the end of the text is particularly welcome. The study of the great actions of a humble man may edify, but the application of the principles of those actions can change our lives, the lives of those around us, and our society--if we allow it.
Book Review: Excellent Biography
Summary: 5 Stars
I am about half-way through this book right now, and thoroughly enjoying it. Not only is it very detailed and accurate, but the author has an engaging and humorous style of writing. It's great to be reading about this wonderful Christian and politician, William Wilberforce. He is too little known of in our generation, and I don't doubt that this book will help to change that sorry fact.Book Review: Less than nostalgic look . . .
Summary: 4 Stars
So many of us that are caught up in the Jane Austen subculture often romanticize the late 18th/early 19th century culture in England. We forget how morally turpid and indifferent most people were. This biography is a highly accessible account of the life of a man with vision and purpose who ended up changing his world. He used the gifts God gave him to benefit all his fellow brothers and sisters. The author's style is detailed without being weighty, and the theme of Wilberforce's life is clear and cogent. I highly recommend this book, even if you have not read a biography in a great while. You will find many aspects of Wilberforce's life to immitate in the world today.Book Review: The subject is worth five, but the writing is worth two stars.
Summary: 4 Stars
I checked out the audio book from the library. The reader did an excellent job. The story of Wilberforce is amazing. The book does a good job of relating the dramatic events of his life. There is emotional force when the author describes the final victory of the abolition of the slave trade. The book also describes well the house of commons' vote on the abolition of slavery, Wilberforce's death, and his funeral. The book does delve somewhat into Wilberforces other battles: the battle for good manners and the battle for improved treatment of the native subjects of India. The book addresses his theology somewhat and the books he wrote.
The downside of the book is the writer's overwrought prose. No cliche is left untouched and some of the passages verge on ludricous. The epilogue is also very strange. The author would have done well to just to the end the book after the funeral instead of describing his attempts to make somewhat tenuous connections with Wilberforce.
In summary, I strongly recommend the book in spite of the fact the writing in some places is horrendous. The writing soars in other places and subject of the book is fascinating. There may be better biographies out there, but this one is a good introduction.