From Sea to Shining Sea for Young Readers: Book Two, 1787-1837

The Light and the Glory for Young Readers #2

by Peter J. Marshall, David Manuel, Anna Wilson Fishel

From the very beginning it would seem that God had a plan for America. From its discovery by Europeans to its settlement, from the Revolution to Manifest Destiny, from the stirrings of civil unrest to civil war, America was on a path. In our pluralistic world, when textbooks are being rewritten in ways that obscure the Judeo-Christian beginnings of our country, the books in the Discovering God's Plan for America series help ground young readers in a distinctly evangelical way of understanding early American history.
As young readers look at their nation's development from God's point of view, they will begin to have a clearer idea of how much we owe to a very few--and how much is still at stake. These engaging books bring history alive in a way that will inspire young people to do their important part in shaping this nation into the future.

Genres: History

Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

The Rev. Peter John Marshall was the son of Rev. Peter and Catherine Marshall. He often wrote as Peter Marshall.

From 1977 until his death, he had devoted himself to a nationwide ministry of preaching, teaching and writing.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history book! As soon as we finished this one the kids asked to immediately start the next book in this series. There are three books in the series and I think they are a must read for teaching our children about the founding of the United States and Gods plan through it all.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the selection of stories that this book decided to include. Occasionally they were dramatized a touch too much for my taste, but mostly they were engaging and interesting vignettes that will be a fun addition to our US History studies.

Unfortunately, the times when these stories were connected to the idea of God's Plan for America were incredibly short and weak. Statements like "God had destined America to stretch from sea to shining sea" tagged onto the story of the Louisiana Purchase, without any supporting information throughout to explain why, (one can't help but think of the Native American viewpoint,) only serves to create more questions and skepticism - even for the 9-12 year old range. The vast majority of quotes offered as proof of the Divine Plan were general prayers for help or thanksgiving, instead of something more inspiring.

[Thomas Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was informative, and quite fun to read. It switched from person to person so much, which was good as far as learning what the time was like, but unfortunate as far as an engaging story goes.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is Christian nationalist garbage. I will share one paragraph from early in the book and let that speak for itself.

"In the 1783 Treaty of Paris that formally ended the war, the United States of America was recognized by Great Britain as a free and independent country. It was an historic moment. God's plan to create His Kingdom on earth had taken a big step forward. Now, it was time for the thirteen states to enter into a written covenant with one another, and become one nation under God. America could now fulfill God's will and offer the world an example of the Covenant Way."