I am just finishing the book "Amazing Grace" by Eric Metaxas. This book comes with my high recommendation. Wilberforce was known mostly as the primary force in abolishing the slave trade and slavery from England and Europe. This was an astounding accomplishment, but he also was responsible for what he would call "the reformation of manners" in England. During his time period there was no Salvation Army, Red Cross, social workers, homeless shelters, etc... The poor were either ridiculed or ignored and their living conditions were reprehensible. Wilberforce helped to awaken the social consciousness of his nation.
Here is a quote from the book which mentions the significance of his life:
" Taken all together, it's difficult to escape the verdict that William Wilberforce was simply the greatest social reformer in the history of the world. The world he was born into in 1759 and the world he departed in 1833 were as different as lead and gold. Wilberforce presided over a social earthquake that rearranged the continents and whose magnitude we are only now beginning to fully appreciate."
I also thought it was interesting to see the connection between Wilberforce and the Methodist church leaders of his day. He had friendships with John Newton (pastor. author of the hymn Amazing Grace, and former slave trader), John Wesley, and William Cowper among others. These friends encouraged his faith in Christ and strengthened him for his lifelong battles against slavery and social evils.
So, there is my little review of this book. If you enjoy historical novels I highly recommend it. If you would like a more details review, look here.
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