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The Infidel: A Novel Based on the Life of John Newton
When slave ship captain John Newton, a faithless wretch of a man who lived life in opposition to the Gospel, has an encounter with a life-changing grace, it moves him to write one of the most endearing and enduring hymns of the Christian faith. Original.
343 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 1, 2012
Author, Joe Musser has a very journalistic style to his novel writing...he started as a sports writer. But he can draw believable characterizations and weave a large time-span of events into a good storyline. This IS a fantastic, amazing story on it's own, but is even more so considering it is a narrative that took place over 300 yrs. ago. It does present, however, lots to think about regarding personal beliefs and life journeys.
The original autobiography of John Newton is digitized on Google Books:
Search Google using the original title – “An Authentic Narrative of Some Remarkable and Interesting Particulars in the...” By John Newton
It will bring up the link to Google books where this is digitized and you can read it online. It doesn’t download to a reader. (see the printed flyleaf image) Here is the shortened URL: http://bit.ly/WbYRGw
Lots of info also on Wikipedia for John Newton & Amazing Grace the hymn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton - the life of John Newton...very impressive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_... - history of writing Amazing Grace, written on 1773 after a very stormy past full of tragedy and near death situations. It seems like his life was predestined to turn toward writing this message.
The original autobiography of John Newton is digitized on Google Books:
Search Google using the original title – “An Authentic Narrative of Some Remarkable and Interesting Particulars in the...” By John Newton
It will bring up the link to Google books where this is digitized and you can read it online. It doesn’t download to a reader. (see the printed flyleaf image) Here is the shortened URL: http://bit.ly/WbYRGw
Lots of info also on Wikipedia for John Newton & Amazing Grace the hymn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton - the life of John Newton...very impressive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_... - history of writing Amazing Grace, written on 1773 after a very stormy past full of tragedy and near death situations. It seems like his life was predestined to turn toward writing this message.
June 17, 2020
Captivating story of the life of John Newton. Though raised by a godly mother until her untimely death when he was only 7, John slipped into a sinful and rebellious lifestyle for several years, including the slave trade and multiple immoral acts. His early training, however, never completely left his mind and God continued to chase him throughout this time until he finally repented and turned his life around to lead others to Christ. A great read!
July 14, 2025
I was so pleasantly surprised with this book. Sure, this Joe Musser guy ain’t no Shakespeare. His storytelling can be a bit repetitive and the message does at times lay on a bit to thick. But at a certain point, I was so caught up in this wonderous tale, that those flaws didn’t matter to me anymore.
You can question whether that’s writer’s skills or just the nature of the true story being told here. But even (and perhaps especially) a true story requires some skill to be told effectively. So props to Musser I guess.
The story of John Newton, not to be confused with Isaac Newton, is maybe one of the most compelling story’s of the ‘modern’ age. Having spent years of his life in a furious battle against religion and slave of sin, he knows everything about the darkest corners of the human way. His eventual (rough) path to salvation is so incredible to read. I’d go so far as to say it’s the most miraculous story of repentance since Jesus’ time. Newton is the ultimate sinner, the worst of man, and yet, even his life turns out to have a purpose in spreading God’s love. Mainly in inspiring the ‘end’ of slavery with his groundbraking theological writing.
The last thing I wanna mention is the Oppenheimer (movie) like structure of the book. It starts out as a biographical story about the life of John, just like the Oppenheimer movie did with the aforementioned.
It shows their strengths, weaknesses and tragedy’s. But then past halfway, it suddenly turns into more of a morally complex and grey court drama/thriller. That’s just something I noticed and thought was kinda funny.
Okey bye
You can question whether that’s writer’s skills or just the nature of the true story being told here. But even (and perhaps especially) a true story requires some skill to be told effectively. So props to Musser I guess.
The story of John Newton, not to be confused with Isaac Newton, is maybe one of the most compelling story’s of the ‘modern’ age. Having spent years of his life in a furious battle against religion and slave of sin, he knows everything about the darkest corners of the human way. His eventual (rough) path to salvation is so incredible to read. I’d go so far as to say it’s the most miraculous story of repentance since Jesus’ time. Newton is the ultimate sinner, the worst of man, and yet, even his life turns out to have a purpose in spreading God’s love. Mainly in inspiring the ‘end’ of slavery with his groundbraking theological writing.
The last thing I wanna mention is the Oppenheimer (movie) like structure of the book. It starts out as a biographical story about the life of John, just like the Oppenheimer movie did with the aforementioned.
It shows their strengths, weaknesses and tragedy’s. But then past halfway, it suddenly turns into more of a morally complex and grey court drama/thriller. That’s just something I noticed and thought was kinda funny.
Okey bye
December 17, 2024
I've always been moved by the song Amazing Grace, and when I saw this was about the man who wrote it, I wanted to know more. What a story, what a life of great sin and great mercy from God. And learning about the slave trade in depth was devastating and horrific. To think of all the times God's grace was given to this man and saved him makes me think of how many times he has saved me from myself and given me that same mercy. Amazing Grace indeed. The song will be even more meaningful to me after hearing about this man's life of degradation and then his complete surrender to Jesus. Inspiring
June 7, 2025
Historical novel of the life of John Newton, a former slave ship captain who wrote Amazing Grace. Interesting account of all that he went through in his life. Writing style itself wasn't great, but the story was good.
July 7, 2015
I can't say this is the most well written book and since it is a novel I am sure there were many liberties taken in the writing of this book. However, the story made it very clear the horrors of slave trading. It also made clear the need for a Savior given the life John Newton lived.
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July 31, 2009very indepth book of Newton's life.
March 29, 2011
Solid historical fiction about a little known man.
April 1, 2013
one of my favorite books of all time. read it to my family.
February 26, 2015
Wow, this man's life was crazy, a more modern apostle Paul. A true testament to hos song, "Amazing Grace".
January 30, 2016
A wonderful book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews