In darkest England, and the way out

by William Booth

This book, "In darkest England, and the way out," by William Booth, is a replication of a book originally published before 1890. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible.

Genres: History, Church History, Faith

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1890

About the author

William Booth, British religious reformer, founded the Salvation Army in 1878 with Catherine Mumford Booth, his wife, and served as its first general.

William Booth served as a Methodist preacher of England. From London, England, the Christian movement, known for one largest distributor of humanitarian aid, with a structure and government like military in 1865 spread to many parts of the world. In 2002, a poll of broadcasting corporation named Booth among the hundred greatest compatriots.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William...

Reviews

[Clbplym · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have given this book 5 stars, not because of how well it is written or how fascinating it is, but because of the scope of Booth’s ambition. At the start, he sets out the problems in society in the UK, comparing it to the darkness of Africa. He considers the jobless, the women and girls with no options but prostitution, alcoholics (etc). In the following chapters he sets out an idea of three colonies: city, country and abroad, which he feels would help many people caught in these traps. In the last third of the book, he includes further ideas like involvement in probationary services. As none of this was done by the state at the time, it was a vast and ambitious programme. Much of this work has been tackled by the social care arm of the Salvation Army since this book was published and much by the welfare state. What comes through clearly is his steadfast belief that real change is not possible without the transformation of a faith in Christ and that the saving of a person’s soul remains the ultimate goal.
You do need to read this with the age it was written in mind as there are some comments that would not be considered to be politically correct today! That said, his enlightened and sympathetic attitude towards women seems ahead of his time.

[Alan Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting narrative of the social ills of Britain - people living in doorways, sleeping on roundabouts, and causing a nuisance by being visible to the wealthier and pricking their consciences.

Sadly, the setting was the 1870's/18890's and the dichotomy whereby the richest nation in the world could have such vast differences in wealth and prospects between the richest and the poorest remains to this day.

Arguably, the State mechanism for support that was introduced post 1945 has been butchered and dismantled, and the return to Victorian conditions overseen at break-neck pace.We are still living in a mean, and socially impoverished country, and the need for Booth's remedies remains.

The hope expressed in improvement of conditions is difficult to share today, from a modern perspective. Class war appears to be alive and wel!

[Jennifer]

I have one of the first editions of this book. William Booth founded the Salvation Army, without him and what he believed God wanted him to do, I would not be here.

[Doghouse Gav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought up a the son of a salvation army officer. Not really religious myself in anyway but thought I'd impress dad by reading it. Must say this mad old crazy looking guy made some fantastic points. He was a real revolutionary who's ideas have stood the test of time. Forget God forget religions just read this book for what it is. Man helping man. Fairness and chances for all. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

[Scott Swires · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for non-Salvationists, this book has a lot to offer. Booth’s view of society, its influences, its direction, how it responds to need, and more are still accurate. Booth also gives a lasting vision of how to not just accept that bad things happen to down and out, but how to get them back up is still relevant.

[Jennifer Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

I like the ideas I found in this book. They may old fashioned but they are sound! We need that book

[taelor alexandria]

brit lit readings 🤓

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good as an artifact, wouldn't want to live there.A screed by the founder of the Salvation Army in which he applies metaphors (heathenry, civilization, etc.) from Stanley Livingston's writings on colonial forays into the Congo (tho he has barely any geographic specificity) to the teeming masses of greater London, equally uncharted to many readers, it seems. Interesting as thinking about social welfare, how the Naturalist sensibility (about the effects of environment and degeneration from various pulls) infuses hyper-practical 19th c. efforts.

[Rick Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Karl Marx would probably lacerate the book as some kind of "utopian non-socialism," it is remarkable in being one of the earliest social critiques and programmes from a Christian perspective in the industrial age. Booth, an erstwhile Methodist preacher, was dismissed from the Connection because he insisted on addressing "what is to be done."

[Kat]

facinating information to read about the mind

[J. Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

You do not have to be a Salvationist or religious to appreciate this work of none fiction. The point of the book is not about taking up a bell and manning the Christmas kettle outside a shopping mall. The book was authored by William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army. He explains his theory of providing help to substance abusers in Victorian London. It provides a picture of that time and place that has historical significance about the oldest social services program in England if not the world.