Hero to Abraham Lincoln and an inspiration to the anti-slavery movement in America, Wilberforce worked tirelessly for the cessation of slavery in England. In this magisterial biography, Metaxas chronicles Wilberforce's conversion to evangelical Christianity and his 20-year battle to abolish the slave trade in the British empire. An extraordinary portrait of a true Christian statesman. 224 pages, hardcover from HarperSanFrancisco.

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.

Eric Metaxas is the author of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (But Were Afraid to Ask) and thirty children's books. He is founder and host of Socrates in the City in New York City, where he lives with his wife and daughter. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Washington Post, Books & Culture, Christianity Today, Mars Hill Review, and First Things. He has written for VeggieTales and Rabbit Ears Productions, earning three Grammy nominations for Best Children's Recording.

“A fine and important book.”

“The little-known story of the lifelong struggle of a member of Parliament to abolish slavery in the British Empire.”

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Reviewed by Thomas A. Spithaler (Bonney Lake, WA), August 22, 2007

I wish there were 10 starts to give!The Lord recently revealed to me that to be like Him (God/Jesus), we must study people who lived their lives for Him, fighting for the Christian way of life along the way. I can think of few better examples than Wilberforce. Not only does this book give us all a crystal clear picture of the exciting, valiant, and sometimes tragic life of William Wilberforce, it is done is such a way that reveals so much, but leaves you begging more! His struggles, his loves, his life as well as his many failures capped by a few yet bright victories inspire one and all to a better life in Christ. Some say that martyrdom is the epitome of the example of a life lived for Christ, but the study of Wilberforce reveals to us that very often the life for Christ, rather than death is the most shining example of all. Painted in brilliant minds eye in the settings of his time, not only his work is amazing, but the list of Wilberforce’s contemporaries is absolutely stunning. I cannot recommend this book, and further study of the life of Wilberforce more. It should be on the self of every Christian home. It has changed my life, and brought renewed zeal and commitment to our church body. Don’t just sit there, BUY IT NOW! You will not be sorry.

Reviewed by David R. Bess (Charleston, West Virginia), May 25, 2007

Metaxas brings the inspiring life of William Wilberforce to the 21st century in a readable, heart-stirring fashion. The author takes the reader on an intimate journey in getting to know the man behind the abolition of the slave trade and the ending of slavery itself in Great Britain. Wilberforce is a true Christian statesman, whose untiring faith and unwavering conviction is used by God to change the world. This title is one of the best biographies I have read in a long time. I recommend it highly.

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