"Amazing Grace" tells the story of the remarkable life of the British abolitionist William Wilberforce (1759-1833). This accessible biography c... read full description
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Dec 31, 2009
David
rated it: 
Most Americans have at least a basic knowledge of the campaign to end slavery in the USA, and Abraham Lincoln's "Emancipation Proclamation" that was an important step in that process. I suspect most Americans have little or no knowledge of the British struggles with those same issues, and their resolutions decades earlier to abolish the slave trade and eventually end slavery.
This is a fascinating biography of William Wilberforce, the British politician whose lifelong work was More...
This is a fascinating biography of William Wilberforce, the British politician whose lifelong work was More...
Aug 30, 2011
Kathy
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This is an incredible story about William Wilberforce, the man who changed the world using a "broken windows" approach. I feel so bad that it took me so long to read it. And only because I've needed my escapist reading more than I had the urge to read something so very uplifting.
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom:40px">Religion</span>
William Wilberforce began as a man of his age. Extremely witty and partaking in the friv More...
<span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom:40px">Religion</span>
William Wilberforce began as a man of his age. Extremely witty and partaking in the friv More...
Jun 27, 2010
Mary
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In 2007 my parents and I went to see one of my favorite actors in his latest movie and I was blown away as well as deeply moved. Suddenly little things I remember reading about the hymn Amazing Grace (it's my most favorite hymn) and things I remember seeing in the monuments in Westminster Abbey in London when I was a little girl came back to me. I turned to my mother after the movie and said 'I have to know more about this guy' and she admitted that all she really knew was that when we visited W
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Jun 17, 2010
David
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William Wilberforce has been one of my heroes for a while now, though my learning about his life has been limited to illustrations in other books, the movie Amazing Grace, and chapters in surveys of church history. This biography then was educational and encouraging, taking the reader deep into the life of this great servant of God.
The picture painted of late 18th century England set a strong context for Wilberforce's story. As a youth when he got too interested in serious (evangelic More...
The picture painted of late 18th century England set a strong context for Wilberforce's story. As a youth when he got too interested in serious (evangelic More...
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May 05, 2010
Michael
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I would recommend this biography of William Wilberforce, which is connected with the movie of the same name that came out in 2007. In case you haven't heard of this man, Wilberforce played a huge role in ending slavery in Britain. The biography gives you a much richer picture of the man and his times than the movie, and it corrects some of the movie's themes. For example, if I remember correctly, the movie played up the role of Wilberforce's future wife. While I'm sure she was a huge support
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Apr 01, 2010
Jonathan
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The prose is at the same time overly casual and over-wrought: formal vocabulary thrown in a demotic style. Metaxas too often uses the crutch of telling us what we, in our time, would not tolerate as though we didn't occupy our own time. What's more, I am not sure that I believe his contention that Wilberforce was the pivot of history like he continuously claims. While I do believe he was important, the evidence in his own book would indicate that he was not a lone working man. In passing, he com
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Oct 10, 2011
Lawrence
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I know Wilberforce only through the movie "Amazing Grace". And I had also heard of John Newton who wrote the famous hymn and who figures as a character in the movie. The bottom line is that I was greatly attracted to this man Wilberforce. Hence, I bought this biography right off the shelf at a used book store. The serendipity of the purchase resulted in a really good read.
The biography is not what I'd call scholarly. Rather, it is inspirational. That was fine with me a More...
The biography is not what I'd call scholarly. Rather, it is inspirational. That was fine with me a More...
May 08, 2009
Alexandria
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This book was very informative about the life of William Wilberforce and the role he played in the abolition of slavery. I wish there were politicians like him today, how different things would be! To have someone working for the benefit of others and not for their own self gain!
The title was Amazing Grace, but that seems to me the only reference to the song, even when talking about its authors. At times the writer seems to get carried away with himself and ends up back tracking and ove More...
The title was Amazing Grace, but that seems to me the only reference to the song, even when talking about its authors. At times the writer seems to get carried away with himself and ends up back tracking and ove More...
Jun 23, 2011
Khulser
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William Wilberforce was an amazing guy, single-minded, energetic, and politically savvy enough to move English public opinion on slavery from indifferent to abolitionist in his lifetime of unbelievably persistent agitation. Being best friends with Prime Minister William Pitt, the younger, didn't hurt, but it was never easy. The biography's appeal is lessened by the author right-wing Christian militant Fox New commentator Eric Metaxas' tiresome proselytizing -- he cannot trust the reader to under
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Jan 06, 2010
Becky
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If you liked the movie then this book is the rest of the story! The movie really down plays Wilberforce's relationship with God and the influence it had on the decisions he made in life. It also leaves tons of interesting things out but the book helps fill in the gaps. One thing I didn't like was how all the other people that helped Wilberforce like the Champlain group, they were kind of skimmed over. I bet they each have an inspiring story to tell all by themselves. Abolishing the slave trade i
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Aug 01, 2009
Steve
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William Wilberforce was clearly a remarkable fellow. A physically small man (5’3” , 33” chest) with poor eyesight and constant physical ailments who stood up to the moneyed-interests of his day: the British slave trade. And won. Think David and Goliath. Apparently Wilberforce was one of the first to devote himself seriously to religion and then make that the basis of political action and social reforming rather than a traditional life in the church.
I saw the movie and i More...
Apr 20, 2010
Donna
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A totally enjoyable and interesting look into the British campaign to end slavery and the man behind it - William Wilberforce.
Wilberforce was also a driving force behind the establishment of many charities and organizations to help the working poor and those who had no other support. As someone who spends much of her spare time volunteering to help others it sounds as if I owe a debt of gratitute to Mr. Wilberforce and his efforts to establish the art of "doing good" as de More...
Wilberforce was also a driving force behind the establishment of many charities and organizations to help the working poor and those who had no other support. As someone who spends much of her spare time volunteering to help others it sounds as if I owe a debt of gratitute to Mr. Wilberforce and his efforts to establish the art of "doing good" as de More...
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May 31, 2009
Trevor
rated it:
This man was one of the great heroes of Abraham Lincoln, and he was a catalyst for so much goo din England. The biography itself was simple to read, and although it may not have gone into explicity detail in places, it served as a great starting point in learning about a great man in history.
A few key things stood out to me:
1) Clapham- he lived among friends that shared his vision of what is good and right and in which he could retreat for "refuge". In his day More...
A few key things stood out to me:
1) Clapham- he lived among friends that shared his vision of what is good and right and in which he could retreat for "refuge". In his day More...
May 09, 2011
Nan
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I must admit that my eyes glaze over when it comes to reading about political machinations, but that's just me. It even happens when I'm reading my favorite author, David McCullough, and he has to explain what Boss Tweed had to do with the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, for instance, or how the US got control of the Panama Canal project. But Eric Metaxas held my interest most of the way with this bio of Wilberforce, and I appreciate that he gives the source of W's stance against slavery its
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Feb 18, 2009
Melissa
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I didn't quite read this cover to cover, yet. I continue to pick up the last few chapters here and there. But I was really impressed by the strength of William Wilberforce. Me and my generation are so priveleged in many ways, like Wilberforce's. He had the strength to rise above the temptation to go along with a society of lazy, self-indulgent people who had so much to offer the world and didn't do anything about it. The stories of slave trade and other societal problems described in the book ar
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Feb 09, 2010
Krista
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I thoroughly enjoyed both the book and the movie of the same name, despite some artistic weaknesses--it's a thorough, detailed, well researched story of Wilberforce's life, which is interesting enough to not be overshadowed by the book's flaws.
My main complaint is that the author's voice intrudes too much--an agenda creeps out here and there, and Metaxas is also a bit too impressed with his own clever wordplay (there's a groaner on every other page). In a perfect world, someone at th More...
My main complaint is that the author's voice intrudes too much--an agenda creeps out here and there, and Metaxas is also a bit too impressed with his own clever wordplay (there's a groaner on every other page). In a perfect world, someone at th More...
Apr 11, 2011
Carol
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This is a biography of the man who almost single-handedly ended the slave trade in Britian. This may seem to be a lofty claim, but after reading this book you will realize how important a figure Wilberforce was and how history would be much different without him. The book goes chronologically through his life, presenting quite a detailed portrait of him as a youth, young politician, converted politician, and Christian activist. Of note is that this is the book that the recent movie Amazing Grace
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Jul 20, 2010
Ed
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I suspect if I had tried to read this book in the print edition, I would have abandoned it. While an uplifting story, the details, as presented, are boring and overwrought. I suspect the author could have given us the same appreciation for William Wilberforce's efforts in about half the space or less. Perhaps if Metaxas had spent less time proselytizing for evengelical christianity and also providing information about Wilberforce's colleagues in excruciating detail, he would have had a much b
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Dec 06, 2011
Christopher
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This is a wonderful companion to the movie of the same name and a good introduction to the late 18th and early 19th century of British history, the period when the British Empire was at its peak. Metaxas uses wonderful prose and incredibly witty passages (I dare you to try to read the biographical blurb on Granville Sharp without laughing at least once) to bring Wilberforce to life. As good as this book is though, it should not be used as a reference in research. Metaxas's prose tends to cover-u
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Oct 31, 2011
Gail
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Truly a valuable read! I knew little about this man and his pivotal crusades in England. We have much to thank him for, dedicating his life, his health, his prayers and his all to abolishing the slave trade and then to freeing all slaves under British rule. There are countless direct quotes from his journal, one of the most interesting being his personal observations of Marie Antoinette, a surprisingly complimentary view. There are brutal and violent passages giving personal witness accounts
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Mar 04, 2011
Deb
rated it:
This is a biography of the man who almost single-handedly ended the slave trade in Britian. This may seem to be a lofty claim, but after reading this book you will realize how important a figure Wilberforce was and how history would be much different without him. The book goes chronologically through his life, presenting quite a detailed portrait of him as a youth, young politician, converted politician, and Christian activist. Of note is that this is the book that the recent movie Amazing Gr
More...
Jul 05, 2010
Becky
rated it:
Since I enjoyed the movie Amazing Grace about Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery in England, when I saw this on sale at Audible, decided to give it a go. Well written - great story telling. Learned that Wilberforce changed not only slavery throughout the British kingdom (Caribbean and India) but also treatment of children, women, the poor, and animals. Also learned how Methodism was viewed in England during the late 1700s. Wilberforce's family was against it, and his conversion to a C
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Jun 25, 2011
Susan
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This is one of the best biographies I've ever read. Mr. Metaxas' familiarity with the Bible shines through in the phrases he chooses, which, as he was writing about a sincere Christian, makes the book even better. There's not a presentation of just dry facts in this book; Mr. Metaxas makes Wilberforce and his friends come alive and seem more like real people than histories normally do.
This is a good read about a good person fighting for good causes. Mr. Wilberforce didn't just e More...
This is a good read about a good person fighting for good causes. Mr. Wilberforce didn't just e More...
Jul 05, 2011
Cindy
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Biographies are not easy to read because of all the little details that must be included, and this one was no different. How does an author decide what to include and what to leave out? I did get bored at times with those details and found myself skimming through some pages. But the story of William Wilberforce is an incredible one. In the margins of my Book of Mormon, next to Alma 47:35, I wrote: "One wicked man can cause a lot of pain and destruction." Then on the next page, nex
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Apr 22, 2010
Reagan
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what an inspiring story. Wilberforce was one of the strongest proponents of abolition in England during the time of the slave trade in the west indian plantations. After a 20 year struggle in Parliament, he finally succeeded in abolishing the slave trade and emancipating the west indian slaves.
Wilberforce had a strength of resolve and definiteness of purpose that you just don't see among politicians these days...or, at least their aim doesn't seem quite as noble. he truly held h More...
Wilberforce had a strength of resolve and definiteness of purpose that you just don't see among politicians these days...or, at least their aim doesn't seem quite as noble. he truly held h More...
Mar 23, 2011
Cori
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Amazing Grace tells the story of little-known William Wilberforce. At a young age, Wilberforce went through a dramatic conversion to Christianity, and spent the rest of his life living his faith out — fighting for the abolition of the British slave trade, as well as a number of other human rights issues. He saw Jesus loving “the least of these” and made that his life’s work too. Despite being a very small man (in stature) and having a sickly countenance, he managed to do more within his life tha
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Jan 04, 2010
Emily
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Although Christianity Today gave this book high marks, I wasn't quite as positive. I gained a new admiration for Wiberforce and his committment to abolition, but thought Eric Metaxas presented the culture surrounding Wilberforce rather one-dimensionally. Was the Enlighment period so devoid of morals and common decency? Was the Anglican church really such a "dead" community? Obviously, Metaxas has an American Evangelical slant to his views, but even if we can get beyond a theological d
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Nov 04, 2009
Christina
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I had a hard time getting into the book. Most of that is just because it is a history, so there is no plot or climax. There is no doubt that Wilberforce was an incredible man and changed an entire country (and more) for good. What makes him really inspiring is that he could have lived a life of ease. He was wealthy, he was talented, he was popular and powerful. He sacrificed so much to do what he knew was right. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have more political leaders like that today?
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Apr 07, 2009
Kathy
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I just finished this last night. What a book! This is heavy duty reading- not a quick read even for a fast reader, but it was delightful. Rarely have I been in such awe over a person's life. This man was incredible, and the author really draws your attention to the role of the divine in directing his life, and placing people in his path that helped him in his life's ambition to end slavery. The writer likes to use abundant similes and metaphors- which can weary you eventually, but they are fun a
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Aug 03, 2011
Meghan
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I read this after seeing the movie, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He used many references to literary and historical events throughout and while I feel like I "got" most of them I also know I missed too many. I thought about writing them down and looking them up but I never did - I'm sure I'd be better educated if I did!
Even with missing some of the references it was impossible to miss the beauty of both the man and the passion for his great loves of abolishing the slave trade and " More...
Even with missing some of the references it was impossible to miss the beauty of both the man and the passion for his great loves of abolishing the slave trade and " More...
