Sounding Forth the Trumpet [Hardcover]

Peter Marshall (Author), David Manuel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

Continuing their U.S. history series, the authors chronicle the years 1837 to 1860, covering the Gold Rush, the Mexican War, and the boiling issues leading to the Civil War.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Sounding Forth the Trumpet is an extraordinary expression of faith and a critically needed spiritual perspective on the causes of the tragedy called the Civil War, almost invariably argued to have been economic or political. ... This is a very important book. -- John Cardinal OConnor, Archdiocese of New York

Another illuminating view of American history from Peter Marshall and David Manuel, who describe the critical, life-and-death struggle against slavery, for which such a horrible price in blood was later paid for our national sin. I pray that this book will open our eyes to the similar struggle today with another group of disenfranchised people - unborn babies - and help us to avoid a similar national judgment from our holy God of heaven, the defender of the defenseless -- Dr. Bill Bright, founder and president, Campus Crusade for Christ International

In galvanizing, scholarly prose, Peter Marshall and David Manuel narrate Americas terrible journey to the atoning altar of the Civil War. Much of their stirring history is set in the halls of Congress, where truths trumpet sounded forth to call us to repudiate slavery, the nations most grievous sin. -- John Ashcroft, United States Senator, Missouri

Marshalls previous books have played a vital part in a kind of historical revisionism. Some textbooks have neglected the Christian emphasis in the lives of the Founding Fathers. The tendency for several years was to ignore this part of American history. But thanks to the three books theyve published thus far, Marshall and Manuel have let readers know the rest of the story. -- Russ Pulliam, The Indianapolis News

Peter Marshall and David Manuel have done it again. They have produced a third volume of American history in a very readable style, with depth and breadth. ... This book is highly recommended for its scholarship, but also for its emphasis on character and the impact of spiritual revival in history. These volumes deserve to become standard texts in schools in the future. -- Moody

This country is unlike most that have existed in human history. It is a broad, diverse nation made whole by its dedication to a proposition. That proposition, that we are equal in the eyes of the Creator, is our First Principle. Sounding Forth the Trumpet shows how a to return to First Principles can bring justice and unity to our troubled, divided nation. -- Sam Brownback, United States Senator, Kansas

Those who forget Americas history are not doomed to repeat it. They are just doomed. The authors again remind us of the things weve left behind and admonish us to go back and pick them up. -- Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist

What is especially impressive about this book is its super abundant historical evidence in documenting both the moral and spiritual opposition to slavery. The book is not the authors theoretical wishful thinking of how history should have been; it is, rather, the accurate documentation of how history was in triumphing over the evil of slavery. We are given an eyewitness account of this triumph. -- Dr. George Roche, president, Hillsdale College

From the Back Cover

In a country founded on the promise of freedom, what supported the disgrace of the slavery? And would there ever be freedom for all? Sounding Forth the Trumpet brings to life one of the most crucial epochs in our nation's history: the events leading up to and precipitating the Civil War. Relive the frenzy of the Gold Rush, the harsh realities of the Mexican War, the skirmishes of Bleeding Kansas, and the emergence of Abraham Lincoln. Throughout this engaging narrative, the tragic issue of slavery provides focus, from John Quincy Adams' struggle to preserve the right of petition in Congress to the history-changing election of 1860. Now repackaged for a new generation, Sounding Forth the Trumpet exposes a dark chapter in our nation's history and at the same time explores the young nation's drive toward freedom and independence. Peter Marshall is a nationally recognized speaker on Christian growth and maturity and on America's Christian heritage. A graduate of Yale University and Princeton Theological Seminary, he lives in Massachusetts. David Manuel is the author or coauthor of several books, including Like a Mighty River and The Jesus Factor. He is a graduate of Yale University and lives in Massachusetts. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Revell; 1St Edition edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800717465
• ISBN-13: 978-0800717469
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent account of the causes of the Civil War., September 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sounding Forth the Trumpet (Hardcover)

This is the third volume of the Author's Christian History of the United States. Sounding forth the trumpet covers the period from 1837 to 1860, The period leading up to the Civil war. The Authors give a very honest, detailed account of Negro slavery in the U.S.They point out that the Anti-slavery movement was born in the great revival of the 1830's. The Authors make a strong case that the Father of the movement was not William Lloyd Garrison or Wendell Philipps. But rather the great Evangelist Charles Finney. The book exsposes the fundamental dishonesty of Southern Church Leaders who tried to use the Bible to defend slavery, The book provides marvelous sketches of the marvelous cast of characters of this period especially Abraham Lincoln.The book also gives a new interpretation of the Mexican war that is worth reading. In fact the whole book is well worth reading, especially for those who don't realize that religion is the most important factor in human history.

54 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A well-written and interesting approach. . ., November 9, 2001

By 

David Zampino "21st Century Hobbit" (Delavan, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sounding Forth the Trumpet: 1837-1860 (Paperback)

. . .to American history. However, he is just plain wrong!

Don't get me wrong, I have a tremendous respect for Peter Marshall as a person. However, as with my reviews of his previous two books in this series, I find many flaws.

Item: (And this is technically not a flaw) The authors, in order to move the flow of the book along, do so by means of dialogue. This DOES have the advantage of making history come alive -- but the reader has to be alert that not all of the dialogue is historical, but rather based on what is known of the characters. This is especially important for homeschooling parents (and I am one) so their children will understand the difference.

Item: The authors tend to view American history filtered through their Calvinist theology. Unfortunately, if one is not using a Calvinist lens, their conclusions are far less convincing. It is quite true that many, many religious Americans in the 18th and 19th century WERE Calvinists; and it is equally true that many aspects of American civilization were highly influenced by Calvinist thought -- but there were other major influences as well, and these tend to be minimized. With Calvinists no longer having nearly the prominent influence in American society as they did 150 years ago, the average reader will have difficulty making the paradigm shift necessary to fully understand the author's perspective.

Item: One element which was NOT covered in this volume concerns the hideous persecution of Catholics in the United States -- by Calvinists, especially in the North. The ideas of religious freedom which were part of the founding documents in our land were seriously compromised during the time period under consideration. It is one thing to exercise one's right to criticize another belief system -- but many, MANY Calvinist clergy of that era crossed the line into outright hate-speech and deceit. (The Beechers, for example). In fact, the American Party (otherwise known as the "No-Nothing" Party) was a hotbed of anti-Catholic, anti-immigration American nativism.

Item: This is the most serious. The authors devote virtually all of the discussion of the causes of the Civil War to the single issue of slavery. That is just not historically accurate. (And I'm a conservative northerner!) While slavery was AN issue, and certainly a "hot button" issue, it was BY NO MEANS the ONLY issue -- or even the FIRST issue. The most significant issue concerned state's rights and the balance of power between the several states and the federal government. Another issue was one of economics, and the radically different economic views held by the North as opposed to the South. To play up the issue of slavery as THE issue just doesn't fly.

Item: The issue of Lincoln's attitude toward slavery is problematic. Yes, Lincoln was opposed to slavery. Yes, he was opposed to the expansion of slavery. However, his NUMBER ONE CONCERN, as is evidenced in his own writings, was the preservation of an intact Union, REGARDLESS of how the slavery issue turned out. This can easily be verified merely by reading the various citations on the first floor of the Lincoln Memorial.

So there it is: This is one conservative, northerner, Christian clergyman, homeschooling father who does NOT recommend this book as a primary text -- and frankly, I'm undecided on its value even as a secondary text.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sounding Forth the Trumpet, March 27, 2000

By 

Joe Neu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sounding Forth the Trumpet: 1837-1860 (Paperback)

A very good historical look of the history in the USA between the years 1836 -1860. What I found interesting was that it tells of people and events that are not known to most Americans. Who were Presidents James Polk or Zachery Taylor? This book talks about any strengthes or weaknesses that they may have had. The authors go into details about what happened during the war with Mexico. The struggles of how new states would be added to the republic, either free or slaves. All of this with a Christian perspective that does not cram religion down one's throat. I would recommend all three volume of theirs.