Mary Baker Eddy : The Years of Discovery, 1821-1875

by Robert Peel

Mary Baker The Years of Discovery 1821-1875 Dr. Peel covers the pivotal intervening years of personal struggle (1876-1891), during which Mrs. Eddy labored for the survival of the religion she had launched--Christian Science. An important work for anyone interested in comparative religion, American social history, and the role of women in modern society.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1966

About the author

Sir Robert Peel,(NOT THE MODERN AUTHOR OF THE SAME NAME WHO WROTE BOOKS ON CHRISTIAN SCIENCE) 2nd Baronet was the Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846. He helped create the modern concept of the police force while Home Secretary (leading to officers being known as "bobbies", in England, or Peelers, in Ireland, to this day), oversaw the formation of the Conservative Party out of the shattered Tory Party, and repealed the Corn Laws.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first of a three-book biography, this book dives pretty deeply into Eddy's life up to her publishing Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. What is good about that approach is Peel is able to setup the context of thought -- science, philosophy, theology,etc. -- that was swirling around in that time period. And he does a good job setting out what writings Eddy would have definitely been exposed to and what she wouldn't have over the course of her life up until then. What's not so good is that I did feel a little lost in the weeds at times.

I did appreciate getting a firmer view of Eddy's early life, prior to her founding Christian Science. And I appreciated Peel's ability to sketch out a good portrait of Eddy without over-romantasizing her. (Her father, her second husband, among others, could have easily been made into stock-villains, but I thought Peel did a good job showing them as human and fallible and even worthy of sympathy.) All in all, this was a good and informative read for me, though a little meatier than I'd expected.

(eta: I have to point out, the Robert Peel the Goodread's page links to as the author cannot be the Robert Peel who wrote this book. Going by the 1850 year of death, anyway. *g*)

[Jenna Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I read it. A bit dense, but also super thorough and it brings in interesting context about the era.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this book when I was probably in college, and decided it was time to read it again. It is the first in a trilogy about the life of Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science. Peel is the most meticulous researcher, and really does a superb job detailing MBE's life, her struggles and her triumphs, in the process of understanding HOW she was healed of a supposedly fatal accident, and then not just being grateful for the healing but actually searching for the science behind it. This time through, I underlined and highlighted and marveled at the battles she had to face in the mid to late 1800's. She was a sickly, single (widowed and then divorced) mother (although her only child was taken away from her by "well-meaning" relatives because of her health issues.
Anyway, it has been wonderful meeting with a friend who was also reading this book, and sharing passages we found interesting/amazing/though-provoking...whatever. I'll look forward to the next book, but only after I've read a few other things on my list.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Baker Eddy is fasinating! I cannot accept her beliefs but if I had been raised in the type of Chistian environment that she was raised in, I'd be an atheist. The book is well written and gives great insight into her thinking and the influence of Quimby on her teachings.

[Joanne Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkably insightful close-up of a life (or the early part of a life) that has made a profound impact on thousands (if not millions) of other lives.