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Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery
Amazing Grace tells the story of the remarkable life of the British abolitionist William Wilberforce (1759-1833). This accessible biography chronicles Wilberforce's extraordinary role as a human rights activist, cultural reformer, and member of Parliament.
At the center of this heroic life was a passionate twenty-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, a battle Wilberforce won in 1807, as well as efforts to abolish slavery itself in the British colonies, a victory achieved just three days before his death in 1833.
Metaxas discovers in this unsung hero a man of whom it can truly be said: he changed the world. Before Wilberforce, few thought slavery was wrong. After Wilberforce, most societies in the world came to see it as a great moral wrong.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade, HarperSanFrancisco and Bristol Bay Productions have joined together to commemorate the life of William Wilberforce with the feature-length film Amazing Grace and this companion biography, which provides a fuller account of the amazing life of this great man than can be captured on film.
This account of Wilberforce's life will help many become acquainted with an exceptional man who was a hero to Abraham Lincoln and an inspiration to the anti-slavery movement in America.
At the center of this heroic life was a passionate twenty-year fight to abolish the British slave trade, a battle Wilberforce won in 1807, as well as efforts to abolish slavery itself in the British colonies, a victory achieved just three days before his death in 1833.
Metaxas discovers in this unsung hero a man of whom it can truly be said: he changed the world. Before Wilberforce, few thought slavery was wrong. After Wilberforce, most societies in the world came to see it as a great moral wrong.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade, HarperSanFrancisco and Bristol Bay Productions have joined together to commemorate the life of William Wilberforce with the feature-length film Amazing Grace and this companion biography, which provides a fuller account of the amazing life of this great man than can be captured on film.
This account of Wilberforce's life will help many become acquainted with an exceptional man who was a hero to Abraham Lincoln and an inspiration to the anti-slavery movement in America.
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First published January 1, 2007
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February 23, 2015
Amazing Grace is a biography written with WAAAY more cheek than I expected!
The slight and frail English gentleman William Wilberforce...
...was the heroic and eloquent man at the head of the push to abolish the slave trade.
Wilberforce is a name not well known in America as perhaps it may be in England. Right or wrong, we Americans think "Lincoln" when we think of the end of slavery. Of course, slavery continues to this day. Eric Metaxas' Amazing Grace does an admirable job in reminding us who deserves the credit in passing the laws that put an end to the legalized trade in human lives.
It is a noble subject, but Metaxas actually uses sarcasm and like humor nearly through out and, while funny at times, it's off-putting in a biography. Perhaps he felt the subject matter needed levity. Perhaps he looked to capture Wilberforce's own gay sense of humor. Whatever the reason, it didn't always set well with this reader.
From the title it should be readily apparent that religion (in this case Methodism) will be given a feature role. While not a puritanical prude from start to finish, Wilberforce was heavily influenced by his faith and let it guide him in many of his life's choices. From the book's tone, I would guess Metaxas is, if not Methodist, at least a like-minded Christian. He writes with an obvious bias. It's almost completely transparent at times with very little reading between the lines necessary. That swamps integrity in my book. However, when it comes to non-fiction, for some reason biographers are often allowed a long leash when it comes to balanced, fair and honest journalism.
At heart, I would call the above faults, but I managed to overlook them and if you too can stomach an agenda not your own, then Amazing Grace will ring in your heart the chimes of glorious freedom! Or at least it will be a worthy read on a worthy man. Either way, it's worth your while.
The slight and frail English gentleman William Wilberforce...
...was the heroic and eloquent man at the head of the push to abolish the slave trade.
Wilberforce is a name not well known in America as perhaps it may be in England. Right or wrong, we Americans think "Lincoln" when we think of the end of slavery. Of course, slavery continues to this day. Eric Metaxas' Amazing Grace does an admirable job in reminding us who deserves the credit in passing the laws that put an end to the legalized trade in human lives.
It is a noble subject, but Metaxas actually uses sarcasm and like humor nearly through out and, while funny at times, it's off-putting in a biography. Perhaps he felt the subject matter needed levity. Perhaps he looked to capture Wilberforce's own gay sense of humor. Whatever the reason, it didn't always set well with this reader.
From the title it should be readily apparent that religion (in this case Methodism) will be given a feature role. While not a puritanical prude from start to finish, Wilberforce was heavily influenced by his faith and let it guide him in many of his life's choices. From the book's tone, I would guess Metaxas is, if not Methodist, at least a like-minded Christian. He writes with an obvious bias. It's almost completely transparent at times with very little reading between the lines necessary. That swamps integrity in my book. However, when it comes to non-fiction, for some reason biographers are often allowed a long leash when it comes to balanced, fair and honest journalism.
At heart, I would call the above faults, but I managed to overlook them and if you too can stomach an agenda not your own, then Amazing Grace will ring in your heart the chimes of glorious freedom! Or at least it will be a worthy read on a worthy man. Either way, it's worth your while.
March 20, 2012
I went 4 stars on this book, and then went back and gave it 5. As far as "literary rating" or readability I'd say that I liked Mr. Metaxes' book on Bonhoeffer a little better. Again that's in readability. This book tends to have a lot of detail about the world and time of William Wilberforce that doesn't relate directly to the "main" topic ("The Heroic Campaign to End Slavery) but does relate to him, his life, and touches on the main topic peripherally. While it tends (at times) to slow the narrative a bit, it is valuable and widens the picture of Wilberforce and the world in which he lived.
This is an exceptional book about an exceptional person. The observation is made in the text of the book that it's amazing how little is known about William Wilberforce today. His name should be as well known as any of the giants of history that school children can (or should be able to) name. It seems in many ways that he succeeded so well that the very ideas and REALITY he struggled against is one that "we" in the modern world have trouble realizing.
Slavery, while still around in the shadows of our world today, practiced by evil people out of the light was until the middle of the 19th century not only nothing remarkable, but the accepted norm of the world. Regarded as necessary and normal, having been around THROUGHOUT RECORDED HISTORY slavery was "no big deal". However, the abolitionist movement was widely considered to be radical, dangerous, anti-government and anti-economy. It was also thought to be the purview of "religious fanatics". Wilberforce's struggle in England and final success gave strength and encouragement to the struggle here.
I can not give you a generalized view of all that this book covers, the information it contains and the story it tells. Well that and a recommendation.
I'D SAY, DON'T MISS IT.
I'm a Christian (if you're not, please don't tune out, no sermon coming or anything) as such I'm aware that Jesus never intended the Christian Church to be a "civil governing body". We are not to establish a Christian Theocracy...we are to live as Christians letting that permeate our entire lives and be good citizens. Throughout history there have been times when Christians have had to confront evils so heinous that they could not turn away.
Slavery was/is one of those.
The story told in this is one of struggle against overwhelming odds and also one of great faith.
I don't think I can recommend this book too highly. Yes, 5 stars.
This is an exceptional book about an exceptional person. The observation is made in the text of the book that it's amazing how little is known about William Wilberforce today. His name should be as well known as any of the giants of history that school children can (or should be able to) name. It seems in many ways that he succeeded so well that the very ideas and REALITY he struggled against is one that "we" in the modern world have trouble realizing.
Slavery, while still around in the shadows of our world today, practiced by evil people out of the light was until the middle of the 19th century not only nothing remarkable, but the accepted norm of the world. Regarded as necessary and normal, having been around THROUGHOUT RECORDED HISTORY slavery was "no big deal". However, the abolitionist movement was widely considered to be radical, dangerous, anti-government and anti-economy. It was also thought to be the purview of "religious fanatics". Wilberforce's struggle in England and final success gave strength and encouragement to the struggle here.
I can not give you a generalized view of all that this book covers, the information it contains and the story it tells. Well that and a recommendation.
I'D SAY, DON'T MISS IT.
I'm a Christian (if you're not, please don't tune out, no sermon coming or anything) as such I'm aware that Jesus never intended the Christian Church to be a "civil governing body". We are not to establish a Christian Theocracy...we are to live as Christians letting that permeate our entire lives and be good citizens. Throughout history there have been times when Christians have had to confront evils so heinous that they could not turn away.
Slavery was/is one of those.
The story told in this is one of struggle against overwhelming odds and also one of great faith.
I don't think I can recommend this book too highly. Yes, 5 stars.
February 3, 2021
More detail is needed on the book cover, can't see who is on the front. Wilberforce's efforts in India are mentioned and seemed to be added into the book to make it longer.
October 31, 2018
Excellent delightful narrator: Johnny Heller. Did the voices to extent that I recognized he was doing voices but not to extent of sounding cheesy.
Eric MetMetaxas writes a psychological biology. He gives the reader an in-depth understanding of parents, family, foster parents, schoolmates, his particular life-long friend William Pitt, the Younger
The book is heavily directed towards US Americans. In the parts where Metaxas describes young Wilberforce's worldview and where Metaxas describes the on-going arguments of Parliament, slaveship owners, and other participants in Parliaments' decisions to eliminate the slave trade and later to emancipate slave. Metaxas explains 18th- and 19th-century English thought in 21st-century US ways. He repeatedly mentions US/America.
Wilberforce acts as a Force for Loving Kindness, yes. But more than that, he has a solid grasp of theology of English--Anglicans and Methodists and a solid grasp on the Dignity of Mankind. ("Man/Mankind" would be Wilberforce's term, not mine.)
As Wilberforce approaches adulthood, the Age of Democracy quickly arrives. He is born at the perfect time, has the perfect experiences, has the perfect connections, has the perfect political status to become a Great Agent for Good.
Wilberforce started with/amassed a fortune that allowed him to be a prime organizer of Societies, Intisitutions, Associations, and other Organizations that furthered development of democracy.
When receiving general educations, we are often led to appreciate of the Victorian Age with Victoria being assisted by her committed and somewhat empowered husband Prince Albert. Yet that understanding is plainly wrong.
One afternoon, the Duchess of Kent asked for Wilberforce to call. He is 55 or 60 years old, playing on the floor with Young Victoria.
Quote from book:
Here on the miniature plain of the carpet in a prophetic tableau of domestic happiness is the child who would lend the future era her name met the man who give it its character.
End of Quote
Why do we not remember him? Why did the US not take example of some citizens of GB who wanted to strive to restore some of the dignity of Africa by supporting the return amd the empowerment of their human assets in Sierra Leone. Something similar and more successfully would be done in Haiti.
Movie Comment. I first learned of Wilberforce by watching movie Amazing Grace. The movie cannot do justice to world-history-changing events nor even to the people involved in the struggle. And nothing about civil rights activities taken by inner group of Wilberforce along with many others in India, Sierra Leone, Haiti or about how Napoleon upon leaving Elba capitulated and emancipated the slaves almost immediately as ploy to deflect English anger.
I strongly suggest reading this book.
Eric MetMetaxas writes a psychological biology. He gives the reader an in-depth understanding of parents, family, foster parents, schoolmates, his particular life-long friend William Pitt, the Younger
The book is heavily directed towards US Americans. In the parts where Metaxas describes young Wilberforce's worldview and where Metaxas describes the on-going arguments of Parliament, slaveship owners, and other participants in Parliaments' decisions to eliminate the slave trade and later to emancipate slave. Metaxas explains 18th- and 19th-century English thought in 21st-century US ways. He repeatedly mentions US/America.
Wilberforce acts as a Force for Loving Kindness, yes. But more than that, he has a solid grasp of theology of English--Anglicans and Methodists and a solid grasp on the Dignity of Mankind. ("Man/Mankind" would be Wilberforce's term, not mine.)
As Wilberforce approaches adulthood, the Age of Democracy quickly arrives. He is born at the perfect time, has the perfect experiences, has the perfect connections, has the perfect political status to become a Great Agent for Good.
Wilberforce started with/amassed a fortune that allowed him to be a prime organizer of Societies, Intisitutions, Associations, and other Organizations that furthered development of democracy.
When receiving general educations, we are often led to appreciate of the Victorian Age with Victoria being assisted by her committed and somewhat empowered husband Prince Albert. Yet that understanding is plainly wrong.
One afternoon, the Duchess of Kent asked for Wilberforce to call. He is 55 or 60 years old, playing on the floor with Young Victoria.
Quote from book:
Here on the miniature plain of the carpet in a prophetic tableau of domestic happiness is the child who would lend the future era her name met the man who give it its character.
End of Quote
Why do we not remember him? Why did the US not take example of some citizens of GB who wanted to strive to restore some of the dignity of Africa by supporting the return amd the empowerment of their human assets in Sierra Leone. Something similar and more successfully would be done in Haiti.
Movie Comment. I first learned of Wilberforce by watching movie Amazing Grace. The movie cannot do justice to world-history-changing events nor even to the people involved in the struggle. And nothing about civil rights activities taken by inner group of Wilberforce along with many others in India, Sierra Leone, Haiti or about how Napoleon upon leaving Elba capitulated and emancipated the slaves almost immediately as ploy to deflect English anger.
I strongly suggest reading this book.
April 4, 2016
This book was as thorough as a history and as intimate as a diary. After reading I felt like I knew the man as well as the cause. Some passages are laborious, especially as the reading nears the end and anticipates the climatic ending. Very enjoyable to revisit a most important historical movement.
March 17, 2017
Wow, this book is truly amazing. And I almost had to skip over parts because of the descriptions of the horrible brutality that the slaves in the West Indies were subjected to. I'm just in awe of William Wilberforce and the men who fought so hard and so long (year after year in the British Parliament, through Napoleon's war, etc.) to get the abolition laws to pass. And once they finally had a victory, the years and decades spent to reinforce those laws and to create support for the displaced slaves who were finally freed. William Wilberforce is comparable to Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King in my opinion. Not only did Wilberforce fight against slavery his entire political career, decade after decade, he fought against an entire nation's moral degradation, and brought moral and religious enlightenment to a fallen and miserable world. Wilberforce's greatest challenge was not to abolish the slave trade, but to change the hearts, minds, and the conscience of the most greedy and corrupt beings possible to imagine.
December 26, 2022
If I could I would give this more than 5 stars and highly recommended. I had no idea this period was so brutal and hopeless for the majority of people except the rich. This actually gives me great hope for our times to see how God used this humble man to change so many hearts for the slaves and poor downtrodden in humanity. It now makes me understand much more what Charles Dickens saw and wrote about. Even more heartwarming was how William Wilberforce gave all the glory to God for their movements victories. It was a good whole movement with many players and Wilberforce was the pied piper so to speak ❤️
January 10, 2016
D.L. Moody said, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.” I think he was wrong. William Wilberforce was such a man, and Eric Metaxas captured his story beautifully. If you've never heard of Wilberforce, who waged a decades-long campaign to abolish the slave trade (and eventually Slavery itself) in the British Empire in the 18th and early 19th centuries, this book is a highly accessible and rewarding introduction.
March 3, 2014
This is an enthusiastic hagiography, an easy-breezy read with a strong Christian perspective. It’s a little preachy, actually, with corny jokes thrown in to keep the congregation engaged. I enjoyed the book pretty well, but I didn’t know Metaxas was primarily a writer of religious works or I’d have chosen a more scholarly, objective biography. This has a bibliography but no index or cited sources.
It has a nice set of illustrations: portraits of Wilberforce and his notable associates, a copy of the famous layout of the interior of the slave ship Brookes which “captivated all of England”, and a photo of Josiah Wedgwood’s antislavery cameo (“Am I not a man and a brother?”) which “popularized the message of abolition throughout Britain and presaged the logos, campaign buttons, and bumper stickers of our own day”.
The author repeatedly stresses that “the churches of mid-eighteenth-century England had all but abandoned orthodox, historical Christianity and now preached a tepid kind of moralism…. England had decidedly turned its back on any expressions of what we might call serious Christian belief”. Wilberforce famously converted to evangelical Christianity, which he credited as the motive for his lifelong battle for the abolition of slavery as well as his work to ameliorate social ills in Britain. The author gives Wilberforce credit for helping to popularize the concept of noblesse oblige in Britain, and the idea that politicians should work for the good of society rather than for their own advancement.
The narrative continues for a few chapters after the passage of the 1807 Slave Trade Act, Wilberforce’s great victory, although it loses a little steam. He successfully advocates for introducing Christianity into India (which one critic described as “a change from looting to paternalism”) and continued working for the abolition of slavery and other noble causes. For some reason there are several pages describing the inglorious squabbles of George IV and his estranged wife Caroline of Brunswick, because Wilberforce met with Caroline once in an attempt to mediate between them.
I like the movie about Wilberforce, also called Amazing Grace and equally hagiographic, which has a particularly fine cast.
It has a nice set of illustrations: portraits of Wilberforce and his notable associates, a copy of the famous layout of the interior of the slave ship Brookes which “captivated all of England”, and a photo of Josiah Wedgwood’s antislavery cameo (“Am I not a man and a brother?”) which “popularized the message of abolition throughout Britain and presaged the logos, campaign buttons, and bumper stickers of our own day”.
The author repeatedly stresses that “the churches of mid-eighteenth-century England had all but abandoned orthodox, historical Christianity and now preached a tepid kind of moralism…. England had decidedly turned its back on any expressions of what we might call serious Christian belief”. Wilberforce famously converted to evangelical Christianity, which he credited as the motive for his lifelong battle for the abolition of slavery as well as his work to ameliorate social ills in Britain. The author gives Wilberforce credit for helping to popularize the concept of noblesse oblige in Britain, and the idea that politicians should work for the good of society rather than for their own advancement.
The narrative continues for a few chapters after the passage of the 1807 Slave Trade Act, Wilberforce’s great victory, although it loses a little steam. He successfully advocates for introducing Christianity into India (which one critic described as “a change from looting to paternalism”) and continued working for the abolition of slavery and other noble causes. For some reason there are several pages describing the inglorious squabbles of George IV and his estranged wife Caroline of Brunswick, because Wilberforce met with Caroline once in an attempt to mediate between them.
I like the movie about Wilberforce, also called Amazing Grace and equally hagiographic, which has a particularly fine cast.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
As a member of Parliament, William Wilberforce was a fervent evangelical Anglican and the voice of the oppressed. Early in his career, he rigorously fought for the end of Britain’s participation in the slave trade. From there, he campaigned for the abolition of slavery in the British empire, primarily in the West Indies. He also was a co-founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Society for the Prevention of Vice, Church Mission Society. He reshaped the prevailing mindset of the time and encouraged people to humanitarianism, social responsibility and action. He was a friend of William Pitt the Younger and was buried next to him in Westminster Abbey. This should be enough to attract you to this book, but if it isn’t just take a look at Chapter 22 and the outrageous and farcical marriage of the Prince of Wales to Caroline of Brunswick. They hated each other with a passion.
June 15, 2023
Wilberforce was an amazing man! To have the courage to tackle something as monstrous and massive as the slave trade is almost unfathomable. It’s pretty inspiring reading about these great men in what seemed to be the golden age of great orators and powerful leaders. But despite his amazing natural abilities and charisma, Wilberforce’s most distinguishing characteristic was his humility and reliance on the Lord. His journey to find faith, and how massively he changed the course of history is incredible. Reading this book makes you want to find your great cause and change the world.
May 11, 2016
Metaxas has a fun writing style, including a great sense of humor. When it was almost a fad to be reading his biography of Bonhoeffer, I decided I wasn't that interested, but after having listened to the audio version of his biography of Wilberforce, I'm considering looking into the Bonhoeffer bio as well.
What a great story of perseverance—decades of struggle to whip the moral conscience of a nation into shape. Metaphorically speaking.
What a great story of perseverance—decades of struggle to whip the moral conscience of a nation into shape. Metaphorically speaking.
May 28, 2016
Enjoyed this one - fascinating subject and an easy read. Amazing to read what Wilberforce achieved against all odds and interesting historically with it's references to the American Wars of Independence, French revolution, Napoleon and Kings George III and IV. Wilberforce not only abolished slavery but also changed the way of thinking of his generation and helped to transform the church.
May 24, 2021
I knew about William Wilberforce and had even "met" him in Davis and Isabella Bunn's Heirs of Arcadia fiction series. But this book made Wilberforce come alive to me. It made me wish I could have witnessed the speeches and debates, the struggles and victories—and sometimes made me feel as if I had. So many cry for social justice but fail or refuse to recognize that truly just, lasting change is an effect of unswerving dedication to the Word of God and its principles. Anyone who believes true Christianity is oppressive needs to think again. This book painted a clear picture of what God can do with a weak, failing human being who strives to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with his God. I found it interesting that, in contrast to many social reform measures, Wilberforce's efforts maintained a divide between government's role (outlawing and punishing evil) and Christian citizens' role (helping those who had suffered). In other words, Wilberforce recognized government couldn't fix everything; lived could be changed only by the gospel of Christ, lived out with that "indispensable tang of otherness that is at the heart of Christian belief" (to quote the author). I was challenged by the evidence of a man who acted on his faith and, in doing so, changed the world.
But this is not supposed to be a review of Wilberforce himself, so back to the book: Metaxas writes with a dramatic, engaging style that fed my love of words and made Wilberforce a real person. In some instances, the writing drew attention to itself rather than to its subject, but the occasional overdone metaphor or line of purple prose did not keep me from enjoying the book. The narrative often switched to present tense when describing Wilberforce's spiritual journey, which I found slightly awkward, and the satire and levity of some parts seemed a bit much in places (but perhaps Wilberforce, king of wit and sarcasm, would have approved). Yes, there were hard and disturbing things in this book, but I felt they were handled well—out of necessity and honesty, not for a gratuitous shock factor. If you want a deep and ponderous study of Wilberforce's life, this probably isn't it. But it's an enlightening, accessible overview of a man who should not be forgotten, and I highly recommend it.
But this is not supposed to be a review of Wilberforce himself, so back to the book: Metaxas writes with a dramatic, engaging style that fed my love of words and made Wilberforce a real person. In some instances, the writing drew attention to itself rather than to its subject, but the occasional overdone metaphor or line of purple prose did not keep me from enjoying the book. The narrative often switched to present tense when describing Wilberforce's spiritual journey, which I found slightly awkward, and the satire and levity of some parts seemed a bit much in places (but perhaps Wilberforce, king of wit and sarcasm, would have approved). Yes, there were hard and disturbing things in this book, but I felt they were handled well—out of necessity and honesty, not for a gratuitous shock factor. If you want a deep and ponderous study of Wilberforce's life, this probably isn't it. But it's an enlightening, accessible overview of a man who should not be forgotten, and I highly recommend it.
December 1, 2014
Eric Metaxes is an excellent biographer who also utilizes the English language in a compelling way.
January 29, 2018
Wow. This book is fantastic. I am embarrassed that I am waited so long to read it. Metaxes, as I already knew, is a remarkable writer, but this might be his best effort.
May 9, 2025
A fast and accessible read, with short chapters and a relatively quick pace. Feels a little uneven at times, skimming over certain time periods. And the bad jokes/puns from Metaxas detract from the narrative. But I enjoyed it.
I read this in preparation for reading Metaxas's other biographies, as I want to see the progression of his writing style. Next comes Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Then Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World.
I read this in preparation for reading Metaxas's other biographies, as I want to see the progression of his writing style. Next comes Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Then Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World.
May 28, 2021
I wept throughout the entire last chapter. This man loved Jesus and acted like it.
If you're at a loss of what to read next and looking for a book recommendation, consider this it.
If you're at a loss of what to read next and looking for a book recommendation, consider this it.
January 24, 2014
Excellent book. Things slowed up a bit toward the end, as life usually does, but I mostly did not want to put it down. Aside from being a well-written, well-researched book, this is an important book. Wilberforce's life deserves to be more widely known. I came into the book knowing that he was key in the fight for the abolition of the slave trade in England in the early nineteenth century, but that was about all. I am thankful to know better now.
His life has many lessons for us--faith, perseverance, service, charity, etc. Wilberforce had begun a promising political career when he was converted to Christianity. He then faced a crossroads crisis. He did finally decide to remain in politics, but to do so with a Christian worldview, not divorcing his faith from the public square. His faith informed and drove his public service. He was resolved to pursue two great objects with his life--abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners (by which he meant the morality of the nation). His was a life lived to a great purpose.
Wilberforce was pre-Victorian, and you might also say he helped make Victorian England possible. We tend to romanticize these periods of British history. Metaxas gives us a good look at the reality that was not so idyllic. The time was full of excesses, cruelties, injustices, and wickedness. Wilberforce engaged his generation and challenged them. We have many parallels today. Human trafficking is by no means gone, but we presuppose it wrong. Cruelties and injustice still abound. How shall we then live?
Metaxas has quite a bit of personality, but he mostly stayed out of the way that we might see Wilberforce the more clearly. I appreciated that effort. I highly recommend this book.
His life has many lessons for us--faith, perseverance, service, charity, etc. Wilberforce had begun a promising political career when he was converted to Christianity. He then faced a crossroads crisis. He did finally decide to remain in politics, but to do so with a Christian worldview, not divorcing his faith from the public square. His faith informed and drove his public service. He was resolved to pursue two great objects with his life--abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners (by which he meant the morality of the nation). His was a life lived to a great purpose.
Wilberforce was pre-Victorian, and you might also say he helped make Victorian England possible. We tend to romanticize these periods of British history. Metaxas gives us a good look at the reality that was not so idyllic. The time was full of excesses, cruelties, injustices, and wickedness. Wilberforce engaged his generation and challenged them. We have many parallels today. Human trafficking is by no means gone, but we presuppose it wrong. Cruelties and injustice still abound. How shall we then live?
Metaxas has quite a bit of personality, but he mostly stayed out of the way that we might see Wilberforce the more clearly. I appreciated that effort. I highly recommend this book.
June 7, 2012
[Disclaimer: This review covers only chapter 1]
I was excited to start this book; Metaxas is an engaging writer and Wilberforce has long been a favorite of mine. That said, I'm putting it down after the introductory chapter. I believe Wilberforce was a good, and even potentially great, man. I believe he made important contributions to society--both in Britain and worldwide.
Yet Metaxas' praise is embarrassingly over the top: Wilberforce as the pivot of history? (Personally, I thought that moment came a little less than 18 centuries previously...) Wilberforce as the greatest social reformer in world history? (Maybe if you really tailor your definition of social reformer to give it an early nineteenth-century denotation.) Wilberforce is responsible for the fact that people now have a social conscience--which they didn't have before he pushed them into getting one? That argument is strained well past the point of incredulity and ignores (or distorts outright) significant parts of the historical record.
Because I revere the memory of Wilberforce, I'm stopping now and moving on down my crowded reading list. I'm not going to pollute that memory with hagiography. I suppose it would be uncharitable to start the "William Wilberforce Memorial Fund to Pay Eric Metaxas' Way Through a Historiography Course," though that's my current inclination...
[1 star for the introduction; another star because the rest of the book--which I'm leaving aside for now--has to get better than that.]
I was excited to start this book; Metaxas is an engaging writer and Wilberforce has long been a favorite of mine. That said, I'm putting it down after the introductory chapter. I believe Wilberforce was a good, and even potentially great, man. I believe he made important contributions to society--both in Britain and worldwide.
Yet Metaxas' praise is embarrassingly over the top: Wilberforce as the pivot of history? (Personally, I thought that moment came a little less than 18 centuries previously...) Wilberforce as the greatest social reformer in world history? (Maybe if you really tailor your definition of social reformer to give it an early nineteenth-century denotation.) Wilberforce is responsible for the fact that people now have a social conscience--which they didn't have before he pushed them into getting one? That argument is strained well past the point of incredulity and ignores (or distorts outright) significant parts of the historical record.
Because I revere the memory of Wilberforce, I'm stopping now and moving on down my crowded reading list. I'm not going to pollute that memory with hagiography. I suppose it would be uncharitable to start the "William Wilberforce Memorial Fund to Pay Eric Metaxas' Way Through a Historiography Course," though that's my current inclination...
[1 star for the introduction; another star because the rest of the book--which I'm leaving aside for now--has to get better than that.]
December 9, 2012
The idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliament, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic slave trade.
Amazing Grace (2006)
Staring:
Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce, Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner, Benedict Cumberbatch as William Pitt and Albert Finney as John Newton.
Available at You Tube
[image error]
Amazing Grace (2006)
Staring:
Ioan Gruffudd as William Wilberforce, Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner, Benedict Cumberbatch as William Pitt and Albert Finney as John Newton.
Available at You Tube
[image error]
December 17, 2015
I saw the movie that was inspired by this biography without knowing there was a book first. The film became a favorite that I have watched many, many times. Naturally, in reading the book I discovered many places where Hollywood took liberties with the facts of Wilberforce's life. However, it did not fictionalize the amazing work of this man who led the charge to abolish the slave trade and eventually end slavery throughout the British empire.
Eric Metaxas is a wonderful biographer. His book Bonhoeffer (awesome!) led me to Amazing Grace, and I'm very glad that it did.
Eric Metaxas is a wonderful biographer. His book Bonhoeffer (awesome!) led me to Amazing Grace, and I'm very glad that it did.
July 8, 2022
Though it´s an interesting theme and person, I thought the writing was on the one hand too conservatively religious and dramatic, even sentimental, on the other hand flippant when it tries to be humorous. I also didn´t like the blow against LGBTQ+ people in the beginning, and constant use of "negro", even if it was in citations, as it could have been explained beforehand.
I would like to read something less hagiographic about him or the abolitionists on the whole, with more history and earnest sources and less drama. I think if he were a Catholic he´d be a Saint today due to Metaxas. ;)
I would like to read something less hagiographic about him or the abolitionists on the whole, with more history and earnest sources and less drama. I think if he were a Catholic he´d be a Saint today due to Metaxas. ;)
September 10, 2017
This book truly inspired me to consider a life in public service. To learn of William Wilberforce's devotion to ending slavery as well as the other horrific practices of his day, and how he gave his energy and life to these causes, was very touching. I am completely in awe of the depth of study that the author undertook and he wove it like an organic story which I truly enjoyed, though there were so many people he mentioned that I found myself getting a tad confused at times. Overall. Amazing.
January 18, 2018
This story of a privileged young man who changed his heart and focus in his life for others is fantastic! He gave his whole life to put an end to slavery in Britain and helped change the whole outlook on those “less than us” that was so prevalent at that time. He championed the rights of all people and animals and did so with so much kindness and goodness in his heart.
March 3, 2015
It has been a long time since I read this book, but I remember liking it. I also remember there were parts that seemed a bit over dramatic, but it was a good biography.
April 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️💫 I thought Wilberforce’s faith and story were very inspiring, but it read just like a textbook (very dry) and I wish the author would have given me something to make me more emotionally invested in Wilberforce's life. I also thought there was too much information about other people in Wilberforce’s life. I would have appreciated the author keeping the focus on Wilberforce more. All this to say, I am glad I know his story and think he is a very inspiring man in history.
August 28, 2024
A fascinating, powerful story of the impact a man’s life can have in the hands of God. Often, we don’t get to see how our stories intricately weave together with the people around us, the times we live, and our own unique giftings to create the beautiful tapestry of God’s good working in history. However, at times, we are given a glimpse - and this is true of the life of William Wilberforce. From tragedies and temperaments, to friends and family-legacies, we see the master architect of life, empower Wilberforce to bring about not only the end of slavery in England but the start of a moral revolution, which would help shape Europe, and the world at large, for decades to come.
May 9, 2020
What an absolutely amazing man of God—and a very well-written biography, too. William Wilberforce has been a hero of mine for years because of his bold and sacrificial work for abolition and public reforms. But through this biography I saw a glimpse of the personality behind the amazing historical events. So inspiring, encouraging, and moving. I cried a little bit when he died, even though I knew what to expect from the biography of a man who lived centuries ago!
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