Review
"Using diaries and correspondence, this biography crosses the boundaries of history and religion."
(The Bookseller )"This fascinating and gripping book makes the life of John Newton come alive for the contemporary reader. There's no hedging on Newton's depravity, nor his utterly passionate devotion to his precious Savior. I highly recommend this excellent work it's one that will transform not only minds but hearts!"
(Joni Eareckson Tada )"Skilled and colorful biographer that he is, my friend Jonathan Aitken has brought to life one of eighteeneth-century England's most influential Christians.
(Chuck Colson )"Master biographer Jonathan Aitken is in fine form, sympathetic, insightful, scholarly and vivid, and his book, like its subject, must be rated unobtrusively spectacular"
(J.I. Packer ) "A rip-roaring adventure, a passionate romance, and astonishing journey of faith all in one"
(Guiness, Os )"A fresh, insightful, and inspiring account of this great yet neglected figure. With that rare skill of a superb biographer, Aitken brings Newton to life for a new generation of admirers"
(Alister McGrath )"The book captures superbly how one life can be transformed by God for the benefit of others"
(Tricia Neill, President Alpha International )"Jonathan Aitken has written a book that, enriched by fresh research into unpublished papers, will enhance his reputation as one of today's foremost biographers.Secular and religious readers will alike profit enormously from this book"
(Rev.Dr. Michael Green )"Jonathan Aitken as always writes with elegance, clarity, and sympathy in describing an extraordinary eighteeneth-century life"
(Graham Tomlin, Principal,St Paul's Theological Centre, Holy Trinity Brompton, London )"Jonathan Aitken brings to life one of the unsung heroes of the Evangelical Revival"
(Richard Turnbull., Principal, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford )"Aitken is well-qualified to serve an account of Newton for the modern reader. He is a renowned writer and biographer, a former businessman and politician, and, like Newton, a man whose heart has been changed through amazing grace."
(Ken Costa, Chairman of Alpha International, Vice-Chairman of USB Investment Bank )Mentioned in The Plain Truth (after an interview with J Aitken)
"a thorough study, superbly written, and an excellent read"
(Keswick Convention Handbook )Reviewed by Alec Ryrie, Church Times, July, 2007
(Alec Ryrie Church Times )'This is an 'amazing' book which tells the story of an 'amazing' Christian life...This is a book to inspire and challenge us as to the true nature of Amazing Grace'
Christianity, October 2007
(Wendy Bray )Reviewed in Catholic Herald, 2007
(Catholic Herald )"A brilliantly written biography ... Like all good biographers, Jonathan Aitken leaves us with the imprint of the subject firmly in our minds rather than the image of the author, but the engaging style of his narrative displays a personal commitment not only to the subject but also to his reason for living."
Paul Woolley, The Difference
(Paul Woolley, The Difference )"Mr Aitken's biography... provides a rare spiritual treat and leads us to praise God for His mercy in the reality and wonder of salvation"
Gordon Murray, Protestant Truth, September - October 2007
(Gordan Murray - Protestant Truth )"meticulously researched...[Aiken] writes beautifully and accessibly."
Reviewed in Christianity, 2008
"Here is a useful account of a great figure of the Evangelical Revival" - Times Literary Supplement
"Well before the end, I was conscious that I was reading another classic ... Aitken writes with real passion for his subject ... This is a book to inform your mind, warm your heart and inspire your Christian walk. I cannot recommend it more highly." - Evangelical Times
"Using diaries and correspondence, this biography crosses the boundaries of history and religion."
(, )"This fascinating and gripping book makes the life of John Newton come alive for the contemporary reader. There's no hedging on Newton's depravity, nor his utterly passionate devotion to his precious Savior. I highly recommend this excellent work it's one that will transform not only minds but hearts!"
(, )"Skilled and colorful biographer that he is, my friend Jonathan Aitken has brought to life one of eighteeneth-century England's most influential Christians.
(, )"Master biographer Jonathan Aitken is in fine form, sympathetic, insightful, scholarly and vivid, and his book, like its subject, must be rated unobtrusively spectacular"
(, ) "A rip-roaring adventure, a passionate romance, and astonishing journey of faith all in one"
(, )"A fresh, insightful, and inspiring account of this great yet neglected figure. With that rare skill of a superb biographer, Aitken brings Newton to life for a new generation of admirers"
(, )"The book captures superbly how one life can be transformed by God for the benefit of others"
(, )"Jonathan Aitken has written a book that, enriched by fresh research into unpublished papers, will enhance his reputation as one of today's foremost biographers.Secular and religious readers will alike profit enormously from this book"
(, )"Jonathan Aitken as always writes with elegance, clarity, and sympathy in describing an extraordinary eighteeneth-century life"
(, )"Jonathan Aitken brings to life one of the unsung heroes of the Evangelical Revival"
(, )"Aitken is well-qualified to serve an account of Newton for the modern reader. He is a renowned writer and biographer, a former businessman and politician, and, like Newton, a man whose heart has been changed through amazing grace."
(, )"a thorough study, superbly written, and an excellent read"
(, )Reviewed by Alec Ryrie, Church Times, July, 2007
(, Church Times )'This is an 'amazing' book which tells the story of an 'amazing' Christian life...This is a book to inspire and challenge us as to the true nature of Amazing Grace'
Christianity, October 2007
(, )"A brilliantly written biography ... Like all good biographers, Jonathan Aitken leaves us with the imprint of the subject firmly in our minds rather than the image of the author, but the engaging style of his narrative displays a personal commitment not only to the subject but also to his reason for living."
Paul Woolley, The Difference
(, )"Mr Aitken's biography... provides a rare spiritual treat and leads us to praise God for His mercy in the reality and wonder of salvation"
Gordon Murray, Protestant Truth, September - October 2007
(, )
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
Book Description
Most Christians know John Newton as a man who once captained a slave ship, was dramatically converted to Christ on the high seas, and later penned one of the greatest hymns of the faith, Amazing Grace. But he also had a huge impact on his times as an icon of the evangelical movement, as a great preacher and theologian, and as a seminal influence on abolitionist William Wilberforce. Newtons friendship with Wilberforce is portrayed in the major motion picture Amazing Grace. Jonathan Aitkens new biography John Newton explores all these facets of Newtons life and character. It is the first biography to draw on Newtons unpublished diaries and correspondence, providing fresh insight into the life of this complex and memorable Christian. The result is a fascinating, colorful, and historically significant portrait of John Newton, a self-described great sinner redeemed by a great Savior through amazing grace.
About the Author
Jonathan Aitken, a former MP and cabinet minister, is the author of 12 books, including his award-winning biography of President Richard Nixon. His recent titles published by Continuum include Pride and Perjury, Psalms for People under Pressure, Prayers for People under Pressure, Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed, Heroes and Contemporaries and Nazarbayev and the Making of Kazakhstan.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
From AudioFile
Jonathan Aitken gives an authentic picture of the life and times of John Newton, best known as the creator of the timeless hymn ÒAmazing Grace.Ó Newton was also a preacher, theologian, and serious influencer of abolitionist William Wilberforce, who instigated the successful campaign to ban the British slave trade. AitkenÕs dynamic range and effortless narration capture NewtonÕs dramatic disregard for authority, including his escape attempt from the Navy, which demoted him to the lowest rank of seaman. His seamless narrative portrays NewtonÕs rise to captain of his own slave ship, on which he sailed the Ivory Coast, where he was taken captive himself and experienced terrible brutality at hands of another slave-trader, an experience that transformed him. Aitken delivers a credible biography, which includes a foreword by Philip Yancey. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
