Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Synopsis after reading some reviews, October 24, 2003
After reading some of the reviews for this book I am wondering if the reviewers have thought through what they are saying. Every author is biased. Every author has a perspective. To say this book is a poor treatment of history because the authors start with a premise and sustain it throughout the book is ridiculous. Every author who has ever written a book does the same thing. You may disagree with Manuel and Marshall's opinions and give the book a poor rating, but do not ostracize for having a perspective and admitting it from the start. When you do this you not only betray your own bias, but you also do discredit to the Amazon.com reader looking for advice on buying the book.Having read this book, I give much credit to the authors for their extensive use of quotations. Many historians edit out "religious" themes attempting to show historical characters as the modern reader would want to see them. But the true student of history does not mind reading about the religious influences of the founding fathers. They understand that, even if they disagree with a historical figure's theology or belief system, these people did believe these things and they lived their lives based on those beliefs. One example of this from the book is the character of Christopher Columbus. The book quotes Columbus's journal where he states that God put it in his mind that he could sail to the West Indies. A modern historian may choose to leave this quote out of their history book because they don't believe that God put the idea in his mind, or they don't think their reader cares. But in both cases they have secularized historical facts. By showing us the religious slant in Columbus's thinking, Manuel and Marshall have broadened our understanding of Columbus, and shown themselves to be less biased than most modern historians. Accusations of whitewashing history are quickly erased in Columbus's case when the authors present the depressing facts of how the pursuit of gold in the new world became a greater influence on Columbus than did his original idea of God's calling him to discover America. This pursuit leads to the genocide of what is now Latin America in the 16th Century. So, read this book for what it is. The sub-title on the front cover gives the authors' hypothetical question: Did God have a plan for America? If you view the book from the perspective of Manuel and Marshall attempting to answer this question; you will have read the book form its intended viewpoint. And you will not be disappointed
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42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moved to Tears..., November 22, 2001
As a local school board member, I am familiar with the difficulties of public service. I have recently been discouraged to greater and greater degrees by the compromise, the lack of conservative values, and the spend-thrift nature of public education.
I had a fellow board member tell me that America was not founded as a "Christian" nation. She challenged me to read "In Search of Christian America." So I decided I would, followed by "The Light and the Glory," which had been recommended by a friend some years ago. Each side would have a shot at my heart and mind.
"The Light and the Glory" won the battle. The difference between it and the first book mentioned was great as the difference between a musty, closed house, and a fresh sea breeze. The authors laid out the history of our early settlers and founders, relying heavily upon primary-source journals, writings, and letters. While I could not agree with every conclusion drawn, I found myself more inspired with each turn of the page. When I finally reached the account of Valley Forge, and the victories that followed, I knew I was reading a special accounting of history.
And when I read of General Washington's resignation of his commission, I was moved to tears in a way I rarely am.
This book renewed my faith in the wisdom and faith of our founders, inspired me to renew my own commitment to God's service, and refreshed my desire to continue my own public service.
I recommend it wholeheartedly.
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67 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Part Sermon, Part History, May 1, 2003
Authors Peter Marshall and David Manuel admit from the beginning that they are not really writing a history book exactly. They are giving what they perceive as historical examples of America being a Christian Nation guided by God to fulfill its destiny in God's plan as a Puritan City on A Hill or a New Israel. Millions of Americans both past and present have believed in such a destiny and these authors present this view well. Are they biased? Yes. But not anymore than Marxist, revisionist, feminist, or multi-cultural historians. My advice is read history from several viewpoints as you search for the truth. Try to avoid that inevitable destination to which we all finally find rest, comfort, and joy--self-righteous smugness and arrogant certainty.
I think their book is targeted for a mostly teenage audience to impress impressionable minds, but adults can read it and not insulted intellectually. It just seems a bit simplistic at times when compared to other histories I've read.
The authors begin with Christopher Columbus's voyage to America. They mention Columbus's belief that he was destined to find a land in which he would bring the light of Christianity to the heathen. (A more cynical interpretation would be that Columbus was merely a conquerer imposing his religious beliefs on the native subjects, but the authors are not taking that route.) Strange incidences are mentioned in which Columbus chose the lot among about 30 men to go on a pilgramage more than once during storms which threaten to sink the ship. This lot-choosing for taking a pilgramage to a shrine was seen as a way of appeasing the Lord. In fact, the authors use incidences in history as examples of God's providence or testing, or the devil's meddling or tempting the people of God to choose right or wrong. Storms such as natural events often don't happen by mere chance according to the authors, especially during some important historical event that is affected by that natural event.
I thought the authors covered the Puritan leaders really well. John Winthop was a particularly important figure in American history because he was largely responsible for successfully starting and leading the Puritan colony and making it a success. He made everyone, gentlemen or not, roll up their sleeves and get to work on building the colony. This colony is contrasted with the struggling colony in Virginia which was harmed by bad leadership. Kudos to God and blame to sinners is given along the way.
I got the impression that the Puritan Roger Williams was a character. He wanted to be really, really, really pure before the eyes of God. So much so that he even became an annoyance even to the Puritans. When they tried to correct the error of his fanatical ways, he would always resort to the argument that they were violating his freedom of conscience. He could always brilliantly reason his way out of being reproved. Finally, he went off to Rhode Island to a colony of people who were dissidents bordering on crankdom like himself and they were a terrible annoyance to him--I found it an amusing account of folly of fanaticism.
Anne Hutchison, was another Puritan character who became a heretic. She believed that whatever on her mind was the voice of God talking to her. She began preaching unbiblical ideas which got her banished from the colony.
The authors take pains to present the Puritans as NOT the tired, old killjoys that some people, probably pleasure addicts, libertines and hedonists, have described them as. They give examples of Puritans partying and telling jokes, all within the limits of righteousness, of course. The authors give them a break from the relentless criticism--I think the Puritans deserve one.
Religious leaders and great preachers are covered in the book. The evangelist George Whitefield during the Great Awakening was the era's greatest soul-winner. Sometimes he would have crowds up to 30,000 listening to him in nearly complete silence. It's remarkable to think about in era before microphones. His preaching helped God save the souls of whole towns on occassion. He would preach as many as four sermons a day and worked everyday. Though he kept an exhausting schedule on his tour of various towns, he never quit until he dropped dead.
Some of the natural events do seem to more than just coincidences. The famous fog that gave cover to George Washington and his cornered troops during the Revolutionary War is one example. Although it had been clear and not rainy previously, a fog appeared in the early morning hours to help the American troops to escape from the British who had them right where they wanted them.
The authors cover the beginnings of a culture war between secular rationalists such as Thomas Jefferson and fervent fundamentalist believers such as George Washington. Jefferson was a deist and a Unitarian that didn't believe in miracles or the divinity of Christ. He thought that Jesus was merely a great moral teacher.
The authors cover the period from Columbus's arrival to America to the beginnings of the Constitutional Republic. I've just picked a few events and people of interest to me. This is a good book for anyone wanting to study the Christian roots of the United States.
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