Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: proclamation society, motion for abolition, West Indian, William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fine and important book." -- Chicago Sun-Times

"The little-known story of the lifelong struggle of a member of Parliament to abolish slavery in the British Empire." -- USA Today

Review

"The little-known story of the lifelong struggle of a member of Parliament to abolish slavery in the British Empire." (USA Today )

"A fine and important book." (Chicago Sun-Times )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061173002
• ISBN-13: 978-0061173004
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #333,774 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Untiring eloquence breaks the chains of slavery, February 21, 2007

By	B. D. Weimer "lex rex" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book with low expectations, assuming it was a hastily-written biography produced to promote the upcoming Wilberforce film. I was very pleasantly surprised.

The author, Eric Metaxas, has produced a masterpiece worthy of its subject. Metaxas is an eloquent and fluid writer, and he brings to life one of Britain's most gifted and eloquent politicians.

William Wilberforce electrified Parliament in his early years, before he yet had a cause. His silver tongue and quit wit won him many friends, including Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. Had Wilberforce continued along this path, he might well have succeeded Pitt.

With respect and sensitivity, Metaxas documents a powerful change to Wilberforce. Through a serious and intelligent conversion to Evangelical (Methodist) Christianity, Wilberforce's life was forever altered. His heart was changed ... to God and humanity. He could no longer ignore the sufferings of African slaves, kidnapped and shipped under horrible conditions to a living death in Britain's Caribbean colonies. He brought his faith to bear on politics ... as controversial in his day as in ours.

Metaxas dramatically shows how much Wilberforce suffered for the sake of abolition. He faced powerful and dangerous foes without fear or malice. By the force of his stubborn will, Wilberforce awakened the British conscience. He refused to turn back, despite many bitter setbacks. Returning to Parliament year after year, Wilberforce finally saw the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. Then, mere days before his death, he witnessed Parliament's history-changing vote to outlaw slavery throughout the British colonies.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Results, February 6, 2007

By	Peter G. Hawkins "Peter G. Hawkins" (Darien, CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In this biography Eric Metaxas traces William Wilberforce's roots, schooling, friends and faith to gain an understanding of what propelled the man to take on and defeat the powerful and politically connected slave traders/merchants of the late 18th century. It is a wonderful look into a period of time where one man leads a groundswell movement that results in an about face in Great Britain's perception of the slave trade, and ultimately slavery itself - a tidal wave that crossed the Atlantic to the U.S.
I would highly recommend "Amazing Grace" to anyone, not just for it's historical significance, but for those with a mind to effect change in their own community.

43 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story Behind the Movie, February 25, 2007

By	Robert W. Kellemen "Doc. K." (Crown Point, IN United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Eric Metaxas provides the story behind the movie "Amazing Grace." Whereas the movie somewhat down-plays Wilberforce's Christianity, Metaxes' book clearly hightlights Wilberforce's faith in Christ as the primary motivator for his campaign for the end of slavery.

Metaxas vividly portrays the real and raw experiences that Wilberforce endured including intense opposition. Readers see in Wilberforce, as the subtitle suggests, a heroic and resilient Christian whose faith impacted not only his life, but the lives of millions.

It was Wilberforce's freedom from the slavery of sin that led him to fight for freedom from the sin of slavery. Read "Amazing Grace" and learn the rest of the story.

Rewiever: Bob Kellemen is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Spiritual Friends, and Soul Physicians.