Description
'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 '...meticulously researched...[Aiken] writes beautifully and accessibly.' Christianity 'This is a book to inform your mind, warm your heart and inspire your Christian walk. I cannot recommend it more highly.' Evangelical Times From Newton's rip-roaring adventures on the high seas to his emergence as a pivotal figure in the abolitionist and evangelical movements, this is a life of amazing achievement as well as of Amazing Grace. John Newton is best known as the author of the hymn Amazing Grace but this brilliant new biography shows how he led one of the most colourful and influential lives of the 18th century. Using a wealth of unpublished material, Jonathan Aitken charts Newton's journey through slave-trading, best-selling authorship, ordination, church leadership, abolitionist campaigning and the spiritual mentoring of William Wilberforce and William Cowper.
John Newton is one of the most important and influential men of the 18th century. His famous conversion during a storm at sea led to his new role as a social reformer and key figure in the abolition of slavery. In this book, Jonathan Aitken discovers the man, his motivation and beliefs.
About the Author
Jonathan Aitken is a former MP and cabinet minister. He is now an author, biographer and broadcaster. In 1995, the court found him guilty of perjury in a celebrated case against the Guardian newspaper and he spent 18 months in Belmarsh Prison. He subsequently studied theology at Oxford and in 2019, he was ordained an Anglican priest. He is now a full-time prison chaplain in London. He is the author of an award-winning biography of President Richard Nixon and has written a number of critically acclaimed books for Bloomsbury Continuum - including a bestselling life of Margaret Thatcher (2013).
Reviews
Using diaries and correspondence, this biography crosses the boundaries of history and religion, and should appeal to a wide audience. * The Bookseller *
A rip-roaring adventure, a passionate romance, and astonishing journey of faith all in one. -- Os Guinness
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 eighteenth-century England's most influential Christians. * Charles Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship *
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 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
...meticulously researched...[Aiken] writes beautifully and accessibly. * Christianity *
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 *
A thorough study, superbly written, and an excellent read. * Keswick Convention Handbook *
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. * Gordan Murray - Protestant Truth *
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
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. -- Wendy Bray * Christianity *
Book Information
ISBN 9781399412841
Author Jonathan Aitken
Format Paperback
Page Count 328
Imprint Bloomsbury Continuum
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
John Newton is one of the most important and influential men of the 18th century. His famous conversion during a storm at sea led to his new role as a social reformer and key figure in the abolition of slavery. In this book, Jonathan Aitken discovers the man, his motivation and beliefs.
About the Author
Jonathan Aitken is a former MP and cabinet minister. He is now an author, biographer and broadcaster. In 1995, the court found him guilty of perjury in a celebrated case against the Guardian newspaper and he spent 18 months in Belmarsh Prison. He subsequently studied theology at Oxford and in 2019, he was ordained an Anglican priest. He is now a full-time prison chaplain in London. He is the author of an award-winning biography of President Richard Nixon and has written a number of critically acclaimed books for Bloomsbury Continuum - including a bestselling life of Margaret Thatcher (2013).
Reviews
Using diaries and correspondence, this biography crosses the boundaries of history and religion, and should appeal to a wide audience. * The Bookseller *
A rip-roaring adventure, a passionate romance, and astonishing journey of faith all in one. -- Os Guinness
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 eighteenth-century England's most influential Christians. * Charles Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship *
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 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
...meticulously researched...[Aiken] writes beautifully and accessibly. * Christianity *
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 *
A thorough study, superbly written, and an excellent read. * Keswick Convention Handbook *
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. * Gordan Murray - Protestant Truth *
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
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. -- Wendy Bray * Christianity *
Book Information
ISBN 9781399412841
Author Jonathan Aitken
Format Paperback
Page Count 328
Imprint Bloomsbury Continuum
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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