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Story of Liberty #1
The Story of Liberty: So You Will Comprehend What Liberty Has Cost, ...and What It Is Worth
This is a reprint of Charles Coffin's history of the march of mankind from "slavery to freedom", first published in 1879, and climaxing with an account of the role of Providence in the founding of America as the nursery of freedom.
415 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1987
63 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Charles Carleton Coffin
236 books14 followersCharles Carleton Coffin was an American journalist, Civil War correspondent, author and politician.
Coffin was one of the best-known newspaper correspondents of the American Civil War. He has been called "the Ernie Pyle of his era," and a biographer, W.E. Griffis, referred to him as "a soldier of the pen and knight of the truth." Yet he remains little known to the present day generation.
A descendant of Tristam Coffin who arrived in the American colonies from England in 1642, Charles Carlton Coffin was born in Boscawen, New Hampshire, on July 26, 1832. Growing up in rural New Hampshire he was home-schooled by his parents. Village life revolved around the church, and in his teens Charles went to work in a lumbering operation and with $60 from his earnings, he purchased an organ which he gave to the church, and became the first organist.
more : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...
Coffin was one of the best-known newspaper correspondents of the American Civil War. He has been called "the Ernie Pyle of his era," and a biographer, W.E. Griffis, referred to him as "a soldier of the pen and knight of the truth." Yet he remains little known to the present day generation.
A descendant of Tristam Coffin who arrived in the American colonies from England in 1642, Charles Carlton Coffin was born in Boscawen, New Hampshire, on July 26, 1832. Growing up in rural New Hampshire he was home-schooled by his parents. Village life revolved around the church, and in his teens Charles went to work in a lumbering operation and with $60 from his earnings, he purchased an organ which he gave to the church, and became the first organist.
more : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 27, 2022
I wish they would have taught history in school by reading this. This book traces the history of liberty through Europe in the early 1400's and ends with the Pilgrims landing in Plymouth on the Mayflower. After reading it I've NEVER been more thankful and gracious for the country we live in, for the freedom we have, for the ability to worship how we please, believe what we want, and have TRUE freedom. This book so beautifully illustrates how many people died, were burned at the stake, beheaded, and slaughtered so that you and I can have the freedoms we have today. This book should be mandatory reading for every single American. Wow.
April 15, 2021
The banned book of forgotten history everyone should read!
July 9, 2016
"If while reading this "Story" you are roused to indignation, or pained at the recital of wrong and outrage, remember that out of endurance and sacrifice has come all that you hold most dear; so will you comprehend what Liberty has cost, and what it is worth."
In my younger years, history was probably my least favorite subject. In school, I just couldn't see the purpose in learning about a bunch of random events and dead people and hated having to memorize dates and names. It wasn't until I had my children and my husband and I were exploring homeschooling that I discovered what is called the Providential view of history.
When I began to see history as God's work in men and nations - HIS Story - and understood that every person and event throughout time is part of God's ultimate plan to bring about His purposes, suddenly history mattered. We can believe that even if we don't see the whole picture during our lifetime here on earth.
Charles Coffin introduces his book The Story of Liberty with these words:
"You will notice that the events which have given direction to the course of history have not always been great battles, for very few of the many conflicts of arms have had any determining force; but it will be seen that insignificant events have been not unfrequently followed by momentous results. You will see that everything of the present, be it good or bad, may be traced to something in the past; that history is a chain of events. You will also notice that history is like a drama, and that there are but a few principal actors."
In the history classes I teach, I always begin the first lesson with reminding my students that when we study history we are studying the works of God, not just the actions of men. I require them to learn very few specific dates, but instead merely stress the chronology of events, and how one incident leads to another. Nothing happens in a vacuum; it's all about cause and effect, and the primary cause of everything that takes place is God.
So as I read Coffin's book, I saw the story unfold of how God used men and nations to advance liberty and bring it from Europe across to America. The book begins with King John I and how in 1215 he was forced to sign the Magna Carta, a document which would later provide the foundation for The United States Constitution. Coffin observes,
"England and America have become great and powerful nations; but would they have been what they are if the Army of God had not won that victory over John Lackland? No; for out of that Charter have come the Parliament of Great Britain and the Congress of the United States, and many other things. It was the first great step of the English people toward freedom."
From that first chapter continues the story of good, honest rulers and bad, tyrannical ones; of men who loved God and his Word and persevered to put it into the hands of every man; of men and women who fought for liberty and stood for truth, even in the face of opposition and at the risk of losing their very lives.
In The Story of Liberty you will meet:
- the great Reformers of the Faith, such as John Hus, Martin Luther, and John Calvin
- the men who labored to give us our Bible, such as Wyclif, Tyndale, Erasmus, and Gutenberg
- New World explorers, including Cabot, Columbus, Balboa, and Pizarro
- Lots of kings, queens, monks, bishops, archbishops, popes, and Christian martyrs
- Plus a number of other relevant and important individuals of the period
So you're thinking, Okay, so the book is going to be about a lot of dead people, right? Well, sort of, except it's not presented like a dry, boring history textbook. It's a story, complete with interesting characters, dialogue, conflict and suspense, foreshadowing, and believe it or not, even a bit of humor. This book covers about 400 years, from the Magna Carta (1215) up to the landing of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts (1620).
If you typically don't like to read history, I recommend giving The Story of Liberty a try. Coffin does a fantastic job of connecting the dots of history in an engaging way. It will give you a good understanding of how many of the people and events are related to one another and will truly remind you of how we have come to enjoy the freedoms and liberty we have today.
For a longer review of this book and a list of other books by Coffin, visit my blog at www.ImAllBooked.com.
In my younger years, history was probably my least favorite subject. In school, I just couldn't see the purpose in learning about a bunch of random events and dead people and hated having to memorize dates and names. It wasn't until I had my children and my husband and I were exploring homeschooling that I discovered what is called the Providential view of history.
When I began to see history as God's work in men and nations - HIS Story - and understood that every person and event throughout time is part of God's ultimate plan to bring about His purposes, suddenly history mattered. We can believe that even if we don't see the whole picture during our lifetime here on earth.
Charles Coffin introduces his book The Story of Liberty with these words:
"You will notice that the events which have given direction to the course of history have not always been great battles, for very few of the many conflicts of arms have had any determining force; but it will be seen that insignificant events have been not unfrequently followed by momentous results. You will see that everything of the present, be it good or bad, may be traced to something in the past; that history is a chain of events. You will also notice that history is like a drama, and that there are but a few principal actors."
In the history classes I teach, I always begin the first lesson with reminding my students that when we study history we are studying the works of God, not just the actions of men. I require them to learn very few specific dates, but instead merely stress the chronology of events, and how one incident leads to another. Nothing happens in a vacuum; it's all about cause and effect, and the primary cause of everything that takes place is God.
So as I read Coffin's book, I saw the story unfold of how God used men and nations to advance liberty and bring it from Europe across to America. The book begins with King John I and how in 1215 he was forced to sign the Magna Carta, a document which would later provide the foundation for The United States Constitution. Coffin observes,
"England and America have become great and powerful nations; but would they have been what they are if the Army of God had not won that victory over John Lackland? No; for out of that Charter have come the Parliament of Great Britain and the Congress of the United States, and many other things. It was the first great step of the English people toward freedom."
From that first chapter continues the story of good, honest rulers and bad, tyrannical ones; of men who loved God and his Word and persevered to put it into the hands of every man; of men and women who fought for liberty and stood for truth, even in the face of opposition and at the risk of losing their very lives.
In The Story of Liberty you will meet:
- the great Reformers of the Faith, such as John Hus, Martin Luther, and John Calvin
- the men who labored to give us our Bible, such as Wyclif, Tyndale, Erasmus, and Gutenberg
- New World explorers, including Cabot, Columbus, Balboa, and Pizarro
- Lots of kings, queens, monks, bishops, archbishops, popes, and Christian martyrs
- Plus a number of other relevant and important individuals of the period
So you're thinking, Okay, so the book is going to be about a lot of dead people, right? Well, sort of, except it's not presented like a dry, boring history textbook. It's a story, complete with interesting characters, dialogue, conflict and suspense, foreshadowing, and believe it or not, even a bit of humor. This book covers about 400 years, from the Magna Carta (1215) up to the landing of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts (1620).
If you typically don't like to read history, I recommend giving The Story of Liberty a try. Coffin does a fantastic job of connecting the dots of history in an engaging way. It will give you a good understanding of how many of the people and events are related to one another and will truly remind you of how we have come to enjoy the freedoms and liberty we have today.
For a longer review of this book and a list of other books by Coffin, visit my blog at www.ImAllBooked.com.
September 3, 2014
If you think you don't like history, you have not read this masterpiece by Coffin. Many students cannot see anything more to history than dates and names to memorize. Coffin brings a new perspective. History is a directional story. And we each have a story to see unfold. A life-changing book.
January 6, 2013
This was a profound book that everyone should read! It really puts history in perspective and shows -- across the centuries -- the battles that mankind has undergone to finally achieve the freedoms that we now enjoy, at least in Western civilization. It gives new seriousness, too, to working hard to preserve those freedoms, as we see them being eroded very quickly in our culture.
June 28, 2019
Easy to understand overview.
May 17, 2018
4.5 stars. Done as a read aloud during Group Time.
September 15, 2021
This was a really interesting way to read about a pretty long period of history and gain a better understanding of how and why liberty was sought after and how it was found and molded little by little. The author mostly zooms through large spans of time giving us a general overview, then sweeping down to key events to examine them in more detail. Closed the book feeling blessed for the freedoms that I am able to enjoy that were so hard won.
March 23, 2015
While I appreciate Coffin's understanding that there is more to history than a stream of events and occurrences, I did not like this book. I give him credit for tracing the budding evidence of liberty through this history. However, the story telling was abysmal. Coffin forces the narrative into the present tense which is cumbersome and awkward, and I don't see any benefit to the stories from this. He gives information in a rather pell mell fashion which is difficult to follow. He is really just relating events and forcing it into story format, while leaving all the characters in the stories undeveloped. It left me feeling like I was reading an extremely bad novel. Perhaps it would suit as side reading for a history unit study or something of that nature. I just didn't enjoy Coffin's chosen format for the story of liberty.
January 31, 2008
This book is a wonderful read and fills in all the gaps to help a history novice like myself see and understand the vast orchestration of events that took place in Europe that enable freedom to happen in America. Spoke to the corruption of the Catholic church and the reverberating evil of the royalty - especially King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. I appreciated the huge insights to who major contributors in history are, as well as where they're placed in history and how they affected the rolling forth of liberty. Well written and in story format, tons of awesome illustrations move the reader along quickly.
December 26, 2014
What a wonderful story of Liberty from the earliest times in Europe and then in coming to America. So much history I have heard in stories and bits and pieces was weaved together into a wonderful picture. I now understand so much of the pain and fighting between the Protestant and Catholics. I learned about the Huguenots and their coming to America. I am likely a descendant of the Huguenots. Wow, so much history and so well told. Read the reviews on Amazon for more feedback.
August 23, 2014
This book goes on my favorite shelf. It should be a must read for all who attend high school and purport to be American citizens. To understand the true cost of liberty would make us all a bit humbler and a bit less selfish. Give your children a great gift for life in giving them this book.
April 3, 2008
Great for a family read aloud.
June 22, 2024
The book I read is called The Story of Liberty: A history of the Reformation, from the Magna Carta to the Pilgrim Fathers, by Charles C. Coffin. I mention this because I couldn't find the exact title on Goodreads, and figured it was the same book. If it is somehow not, then take my words as a grain of salt.
To put it simply, this book was absolutely amazing when it came to outlining the general fight for liberty, in particular, the fight for liberty from underneath the thumb of Catholic controlled empires. Never have I heard such interesting facts and information about how ruthless the Catholic church was in detail. Many of us are familiar with passing statements of things like the Crusades, or the Inquisition, but never really understand the power structure and the struggle of the people vs a pagan theocracy. The blatant abuse of money and power, and the death and torture brought about to peoples of all time was appalling. This strikes a chord with me since Catholics hold a prominent space in politics still, and often parade themselves as Christians, yet will be completely ignorant of their own history. Today, Catholic politicians may venerate the bible in many ways, yet lionize their Catholic faith, the blind faith that burned people alive for daring to read the bible in their own language. The irony and revelation of history is what entices me to continue on the path of learning about the world.
The version of the book I read was worded simply, and was concise in many of its statements, which is fine to get the point across. It could get confusing time to time, with all the names of people being thrown around. Luckily, the author used a technique to where if there was a person mentioned that was mentioned a chapter or so ago, they would add the significant descriptor to them to have the reader remember who it was. Ingenius, but not flawless.
Lastly, I noticed the book I have in my possession has a RIDICULOUS amount of spelling/grammar errors, as if the person could afford ANYONE to read through the book at least once. I would've have done it for free. I'm not sure why this is still an issue in today's world, despite the content of the book being censored to some extent.
Otherwise, I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are Catholic or those who are curious of the role Catholicism played in history.
To put it simply, this book was absolutely amazing when it came to outlining the general fight for liberty, in particular, the fight for liberty from underneath the thumb of Catholic controlled empires. Never have I heard such interesting facts and information about how ruthless the Catholic church was in detail. Many of us are familiar with passing statements of things like the Crusades, or the Inquisition, but never really understand the power structure and the struggle of the people vs a pagan theocracy. The blatant abuse of money and power, and the death and torture brought about to peoples of all time was appalling. This strikes a chord with me since Catholics hold a prominent space in politics still, and often parade themselves as Christians, yet will be completely ignorant of their own history. Today, Catholic politicians may venerate the bible in many ways, yet lionize their Catholic faith, the blind faith that burned people alive for daring to read the bible in their own language. The irony and revelation of history is what entices me to continue on the path of learning about the world.
The version of the book I read was worded simply, and was concise in many of its statements, which is fine to get the point across. It could get confusing time to time, with all the names of people being thrown around. Luckily, the author used a technique to where if there was a person mentioned that was mentioned a chapter or so ago, they would add the significant descriptor to them to have the reader remember who it was. Ingenius, but not flawless.
Lastly, I noticed the book I have in my possession has a RIDICULOUS amount of spelling/grammar errors, as if the person could afford ANYONE to read through the book at least once. I would've have done it for free. I'm not sure why this is still an issue in today's world, despite the content of the book being censored to some extent.
Otherwise, I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are Catholic or those who are curious of the role Catholicism played in history.
February 11, 2023
This was an incredible book. It’s had a profound effect on me and one I keep thinking about. It covers a lot of history and I’ll be honest to say that especially towards the end when the European royalty is heavily discussed, it’s hard to keep all the details of who is who straight. But that didn’t make the book any less impactful.
It’s easy to feel that there are a lot of problems in America today (and I’m not saying there aren’t things that need to change) but this book helps put so much in perspective. We often use phrases like “Freedom isn’t free” or talk about “the price of freedom.” But this book really helped me understand that cost. I think I usually thought of those things in terms of freedom from the British win in the Revolutionary War, but this book helped me to see that really that was only a tiny part of the struggle for freedom. The story of liberty starts long before the Revolutionary war.
Reading this history is grizzly, and heart-breaking. It caused me to wrestle with some spiritual questions, but also brought a lot of spiritual insights. There were so many times when a good person who was faithful to God, not to the Pope, refused to bend their beliefs and were firm in their faith. So many times I would feel like certainly their story would end in a miracle, and yet it ended at the stake in flames. This was hard for me. But the author weaves together the progress of human events and shows how those deaths were not in vain, but each advanced the cause of Liberty.
When Cardinal Woolsey died in poverty some of his last words were, “If I had but served my God with the same deal with which I’ve served my King, perhaps he would not have deserted me in my old age.” It was such a tragic statement. I came to realize that although many died for their God, they were not forgotten to Him, or abandoned by Him.
This is a book that will make you love America and make you grateful for the freedoms that were established here that broke the cycle of tyranny in the western world. While I dearly hope I would never be called in to die the martyr’s death, it made me deeply consider my connection to God and the firmness of my faith.
It’s easy to feel that there are a lot of problems in America today (and I’m not saying there aren’t things that need to change) but this book helps put so much in perspective. We often use phrases like “Freedom isn’t free” or talk about “the price of freedom.” But this book really helped me understand that cost. I think I usually thought of those things in terms of freedom from the British win in the Revolutionary War, but this book helped me to see that really that was only a tiny part of the struggle for freedom. The story of liberty starts long before the Revolutionary war.
Reading this history is grizzly, and heart-breaking. It caused me to wrestle with some spiritual questions, but also brought a lot of spiritual insights. There were so many times when a good person who was faithful to God, not to the Pope, refused to bend their beliefs and were firm in their faith. So many times I would feel like certainly their story would end in a miracle, and yet it ended at the stake in flames. This was hard for me. But the author weaves together the progress of human events and shows how those deaths were not in vain, but each advanced the cause of Liberty.
When Cardinal Woolsey died in poverty some of his last words were, “If I had but served my God with the same deal with which I’ve served my King, perhaps he would not have deserted me in my old age.” It was such a tragic statement. I came to realize that although many died for their God, they were not forgotten to Him, or abandoned by Him.
This is a book that will make you love America and make you grateful for the freedoms that were established here that broke the cycle of tyranny in the western world. While I dearly hope I would never be called in to die the martyr’s death, it made me deeply consider my connection to God and the firmness of my faith.
April 18, 2020
The Story of Liberty by Charles Coffin was first published in 1879. Coffin takes the reader through the history of the dark days before liberty where there was no freedom of religion, freedom of the press, popular sovereignty, but only the rule of Kings and Popes. These dark days included persecution of ‘heretics’ who were summarily tortured, stripped of their property, publicly burned alive, and their families left as beggars for which all were forbidden to provide aide. These days were full of corruption of the worst kind.
We live in freedom unimaginable in those days - even now in our home stay life. Liberty, while there is work to be done to keep it safe in our shores, and to give it to the nations, is still present in a wonderful way.
Liberty did not evolve. Progress did not deliver it to our times. Society did not mature into the light without truth. It is the printing of the Bible, the educating in the Scriptures, the applied theology wending it’s way into all areas of life through the work of believers and those with Christian worldviews (which are not always the same people as they ought to be) that birthed liberty. It is truth that sets nations free.
Coffin sketches the history of liberty to George Buchanan’s pamphlet on the Rights of Man (De Jure Regni) and on through the Pilgrims arrival in the new world bringing liberty to our land. But I read his work knowing the details he does not cover which I outline briefly above.
I look forward to completing his trilogy.
Long ago, I adopted CS Lewis’s adage to read old books! If we don’t, we get stuck in the boorish thinking of our own era.
We live in freedom unimaginable in those days - even now in our home stay life. Liberty, while there is work to be done to keep it safe in our shores, and to give it to the nations, is still present in a wonderful way.
Liberty did not evolve. Progress did not deliver it to our times. Society did not mature into the light without truth. It is the printing of the Bible, the educating in the Scriptures, the applied theology wending it’s way into all areas of life through the work of believers and those with Christian worldviews (which are not always the same people as they ought to be) that birthed liberty. It is truth that sets nations free.
Coffin sketches the history of liberty to George Buchanan’s pamphlet on the Rights of Man (De Jure Regni) and on through the Pilgrims arrival in the new world bringing liberty to our land. But I read his work knowing the details he does not cover which I outline briefly above.
I look forward to completing his trilogy.
Long ago, I adopted CS Lewis’s adage to read old books! If we don’t, we get stuck in the boorish thinking of our own era.
December 22, 2024
The title and subtitle of this book are both extremely fitting “The Story of Liberty: so you will comprehend what liberty has cost…and what it is worth.”
This book written in the 19th century is not an exhaustive history by any means, but rather exactly what the title implies, a retelling of the story of the cost that was paid (many, many lives) for the advancement of human freedom from the singing of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock and instituting the first government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
As I read this, I found myself thinking, how much I take liberty for granted when it truly costed many people throughout history so much.
This book written in the 19th century is not an exhaustive history by any means, but rather exactly what the title implies, a retelling of the story of the cost that was paid (many, many lives) for the advancement of human freedom from the singing of the Magna Carta in 1215 to the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock and instituting the first government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
As I read this, I found myself thinking, how much I take liberty for granted when it truly costed many people throughout history so much.
June 8, 2025
Written in a narrative style (the title doesn’t lie), this book guides the reader through the reformational (and broader) historical movements that played a part in shaping the development of freedom as we understand it today.
I appreciated how the author moved between various countries and time periods, seamlessly weaving together interconnected events world-wide to tell the full story. Even though many of the facts were familiar, the story & overarching concepts kept me intrigued.
I would also recommend reading this book while on a trip to Europe, as it was quite enjoyable to be making connections to historical events that happened in the very places I was visiting.
I appreciated how the author moved between various countries and time periods, seamlessly weaving together interconnected events world-wide to tell the full story. Even though many of the facts were familiar, the story & overarching concepts kept me intrigued.
I would also recommend reading this book while on a trip to Europe, as it was quite enjoyable to be making connections to historical events that happened in the very places I was visiting.
December 9, 2018
It’s just the introductory history you learn about America. How the Protestant reformation predicated the English revolution and the pilgrims arrival to America. Not a history of the development of political or religious liberty by any stretch.
January 31, 2024
liberty or death!!
This book is comprehensive in it’s history, but through it all it weaves a strong root of liberty that grows and grows until it is a great big oak tree shooting up into the sky for all to enjoy.
This book is comprehensive in it’s history, but through it all it weaves a strong root of liberty that grows and grows until it is a great big oak tree shooting up into the sky for all to enjoy.
January 29, 2018
This book was good. I had to read it for school and so it was a little boring.
September 28, 2020
I love the story of the author and I love the message of this book!
November 20, 2020
Want to follow the historical events that led up to the idea of natural rights and freedom? This is a fabulous choice.
January 30, 2022
He writes in a very insightful and interesting way that captivates the imagination.
July 20, 2023
Really nice narrative of history focused on the quest for liberty. I got a little lost in the genealogies of all the European royalty, but otherwise a great read.
August 28, 2024
Very interesting and engaging. It was widely read in American school rooms at the turn of the 20th century. It’s pretty brutal but in a factual way. I felt the portrayals of certain historical figures were a little harsh. They did help perpetrate some horrific atrocities but I felt some of the representations were one demential. The atrocities should be addressed but a fuller background of the situation and some details of the pressures or misunderstandings of the offender would have given the reader a fuller picture of events. Everything I had questions about I looked up and found that there is historical evidence to support it though some historians might not agree with the view taken in the book.
June 25, 2017
The Story of Liberty by Charles C. Coffin
I cannot say enough about this book. Every American should read it. Beginning with the signing of the Magna Charta in the early 1200's AD, Coffin tells of the price hero's of the past have paid to hand Liberty to us today. The book has been reprinted, exactly as it was originally published in 1878, including the 100's of beautiful engravings which adorn nearly every page. Originally a Children's history book for primary school, the text is simply told but very engaging even for adults, as the level of literacy was much higher in the 19th century.
Coffins attention to detail, real characters of history, and a narrative style that flows from start to finish, makes this an enjoyable read while still maintaining historical accuracy.
This book is of immense value as an alternative to the historical texts of public schools today which edit out any mention of Divine intervention. The Story of Liberty includes many episodes of history that you would never read about otherwise including the stories of many of the Reformers. Men such as Wycliff, Huss, Luther, and many others. The text concludes by telling of the struggles of the passengers on the Mayflower, and their effort to establish an enduring colony at Plymouth Rock.
I will mention that the author in his religious life was of the protestant persuasion and thus the brush he paints with does no favors to the Catholic point of view. That said I have found nothing in the book that is in error as far as the history of the people who suffered under the exercise of catholic doctrine. What Coffin fails to do is be exhaustive in his telling of religious persecution in the dark middle ages. He thus has a few critics of his works even today who disagree with his protestant view points.
Yet considering those critics I would still highly recommend the book as an alternative to the many books that tell history with a strong editing out of any thing having to do with God. History is actually a much more exciting subject when you see how that Divine providence shaped much of the tale.
I would recommend that every family library should have a copy of this important book.
I cannot say enough about this book. Every American should read it. Beginning with the signing of the Magna Charta in the early 1200's AD, Coffin tells of the price hero's of the past have paid to hand Liberty to us today. The book has been reprinted, exactly as it was originally published in 1878, including the 100's of beautiful engravings which adorn nearly every page. Originally a Children's history book for primary school, the text is simply told but very engaging even for adults, as the level of literacy was much higher in the 19th century.
Coffins attention to detail, real characters of history, and a narrative style that flows from start to finish, makes this an enjoyable read while still maintaining historical accuracy.
This book is of immense value as an alternative to the historical texts of public schools today which edit out any mention of Divine intervention. The Story of Liberty includes many episodes of history that you would never read about otherwise including the stories of many of the Reformers. Men such as Wycliff, Huss, Luther, and many others. The text concludes by telling of the struggles of the passengers on the Mayflower, and their effort to establish an enduring colony at Plymouth Rock.
I will mention that the author in his religious life was of the protestant persuasion and thus the brush he paints with does no favors to the Catholic point of view. That said I have found nothing in the book that is in error as far as the history of the people who suffered under the exercise of catholic doctrine. What Coffin fails to do is be exhaustive in his telling of religious persecution in the dark middle ages. He thus has a few critics of his works even today who disagree with his protestant view points.
Yet considering those critics I would still highly recommend the book as an alternative to the many books that tell history with a strong editing out of any thing having to do with God. History is actually a much more exciting subject when you see how that Divine providence shaped much of the tale.
I would recommend that every family library should have a copy of this important book.
September 11, 2016
This is a must have for understanding The united States history. Anyone from fifth grade to grade twelve will appreciate the quick yet enjoyable history included here!
December 10, 2008
This was an excellant history of Christianity and the idea of liberty in the United States. Sometimes it was heartbreaking to read of the sacrifices others have made for freedom. It was hard to read on a continual basis. I had to read and then come back to it to be ready to absorb the next era of the advancement of liberty.
February 22, 2010
Written in the 1800s, this book tells the story of how America and the values we hold came to be. It tells of sacrifices that were required to get us to where we are today.
This was actually a really interesting book. I'm not a history expert, so I'm not sure exactly how accurate some of the details are, but I still found it very interesting.
This was actually a really interesting book. I'm not a history expert, so I'm not sure exactly how accurate some of the details are, but I still found it very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews