Amazing Grace is one my favorite hymns of all time so I was thrilled when I was given the chance to read the book on his life complete with some of his own words in describing in his life and letters to his dear wife. Between the worn-look covers of this book you'll step into John Newton's life and meet the man behind one of the best loved hymns. You may start out disliking him as a person, because he wasn't very nice or admirable but as you read the obstacles her overcame to a true Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ one can't help but admire the man he became.

He preached almost all the way up until his death even when someone else had to support him in the pulpit and someone else had to be his eyes as he went blind. Losing his devout mother at a young age, a dad who was absent for long periods and no guidance set John off on a course he didn't think he could change until the Lord finally grabbed him and got his attention.

Reproduced from the original 1831 by the ASSU (American Sunday School Union) this one comes complete with tattered pages and a well loved look and there are a few pictures that appear as wood carvings. While I read this book it would also be good for an older child, I would have no problem with my 9 1/2 year old reading this, or teenager. A story of redemption from a godly man of the 18th century that everyone, man,woman, and child can glean from and learn the truth behind John Newton's amazing Grace.

**I was given a copy of this book from New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.

Do you get chills when you hear or sing Amazing Grace?

Even for those who do not often enter church buildings, Amazing Grace is one of the most emotion-invoking, recognizable hymns of all time.

After having read Life of John Newton, I will never hear nor sing that song the same again. I only thought it stirred my soul before...but now...unbelievable...amazing.

This brief but powerful biography of John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, was written and originally published in 1831 by the American Sunday School Union and was reprinted in June of 2011 by Attic Books.

I have read and reviewed most of the other books Attic Books has printed in the Life Of... series, and I must say that this one is my absolute favorite so far. Though each one has been powerful, influencing, and insightful to read, this one...well, you just need to see for yourself.

Sure, the words of Amazing Grace allude to the author having been a "wretch." BUT, we really don't get the depth of his meaning behind saying he was a wretch. This man, John Newton, was as he says, "the chief of sinners." Recognize that?

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. - Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15

After having read the account of John Newton's life, I would say he was even more "the chief of sinners" than Paul. I know sin has no degrees, as in one is worse than another, but the life of Mr. Newton was truly a wretched one for many, many years.

Each time I thought his circumstances and demeanor had gotten as bad as they could---they got worse.

Each time I thought he had surely awakened and learned his lesson and was about to pen Amazing Grace---he didn't.

Seriously.

Yes, he obviously did finally come to that crucial turning point, and truly only by the Amazing Grace of God by the drawing and conviction of His Holy Spirit through the saving work of the spilling of the blood payment of His beloved Son, our dear Savior Jesus Christ.

And today, because Mr. N. (as he is often referred to in this biography) lived a wretched life, seemingly beyond hope of redemption, and because he WAS redeemed and lived to tell and write and sing about it---because of Mr. Newton and many others like him (myself being one)---today you and I can sing a song that speaks to the souls of many far deeper than most songs can.

Are you a wretch?

Are you the chief of sinners?

Are you too far gone to have any hope for redemption

or even any desire for it?

Do you know anyone who may be feeling that way right now?

Have you been there and found that amazing grace

is more amazing and gracious than you ever thought possible?

I challenge you all to consider reading this powerful life story of Mr. John Newton. Then, don't stop there. Share it. Share it with those who need to hear it. Those who can relate to it. We all need to recognize the depth of our despair without the amazing grace, forgiveness, salvation, and redemption of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And we all need to accept His free gift, then share it until we cannot speak nor sing nor write anymore.

As Mr. Newton replied when in his physically deteriorating old age he was being encouraged to stop preaching before he could no longer speak,

"'I cannot stop,' said he, raising his voice; 'What ! shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?'"

We cannot afford to deny our need for God's amazing grace and accept it as it is freely given to us. And we cannot stop speaking of it as long as we can still speak.

Who knows what blasphemer and slave trader may hear our testimony of the amazing grace we have found and in turn become the next John Newton and write the next Amazing Grace?

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Attic Books, an imprint of New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

I have had this book, Life of John Newton, forever, and just haven't gotten around to getting it read and reviewed. Last week I decided it simply had to get done.

This is the fourth book in this series that I own, and the third one I've reviewed.

Like other books in this series, I love the "old" feel of the book. These books are reprints of works published long ago, so the language is sometimes a bit cumbersome for modern ears. However, I found Life of John Newton to be fairly straightforward to read. The sentences are, however, fairly long. Take this one, from page 95, which is where I just randomly opened the book:

"When Mr. Newton returned to England, this time, he was of the opinion that the African business was too much overdone, to be profitable, and so advised his employer; but Mr. Manesty thought otherwise, and determined to send out another vessel very soon."

I've long been fascinated by John Newton, so the 'wordiness' didn't bother me. Like the Andrew Jackson title, this is one I will either have my kids read -- or I will read aloud -- as we study the 18th century again.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

Amazing Grace, the most popular hymn of all times...who hasn't heard it? Some also know who wrote it. I wonder how many really know the dramatic life of John Newton, its author. I myself had heard his story before. But what a treat it was for me to read this book/his biography and learn more about him! I was stunned to find out how many times he had near-death experiences (at least 7 times!...I counted them). Talk about God's providence...John Newton saw it over and over again. John Newton was born in London on July 24, 1725. His life had gone through lots of challenges and difficulties starting as early as when he was a preteen (a rough, corrupted seaman). From being a troubled teen at its worst to working like a slave under a mean mistress to becoming a slave trader himself! But no one including John Newton is beyond God's grace, mercy, and redemption! His life was such a powerful testimony. I really enjoyed reading this inspiring book. Did you know that he couldn't swim (which contributed to the fact that he was on the brink of death many times considering his line of work :))? Did you know that he was a romantic guy :)? He wrote beautiful love letters to his wife; they were also filled with Biblical insights and eternal perspectives. Here is an example (he wrote to his wife when he was ill and didn't know if he would live or die): "Should it therefore please God, to make my death the happy occasion of fixing your dependence, hope, and desire, upon him alone; surely I can say, Thy will be done. My heart bleeds when I represent to myself, the grief with which such an event would overwhelm you. But I know that he can moderate and sanctify it, and give you cause hereafter to say, it was good for you to have been so afflicted; and ere long, the time will come, when all tears shall be wiped, both from your eyes and mine." (p. 92) Did you know that he knew 5 languages: Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French, and English? John Newton was humble, encouraging, and loving. He was a major influence on William Cowper (who struggled with depression most of his life), a fellow hymn writer. They worked together and produced the famous Olney Hymns hymnal in 1779. John Newton died at the age of 82. He never ceased to be in awe at God's grace and if you read this book, you'll totally understand why. Shortly before his death, John Newton said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!"

~ I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

The Life of John Newton- A Review

We all know the song he wrote, but not a lot of people know the man. John Newton lost his mother at a young age. She made him read his bible and always believed her son would be a preacher. His father was gone a lot so he never really knew him. Once his mother passed away, his father still did not return until years later. He then had a new step-mother and more children came along. John was not close to his father and was very rebellious. He was always looking for trouble or trying to cause someone else to get in trouble. John wanted to leave the ship he worked on with his father. He had big dreams of making more money somewhere else. John ended up a slave of a slave trader, becoming like one of the slaves. He was mistreated, starved, beaten, and the like. He would not return home unless his father sent for him. His father eventually did, and he was eventually made captain of his own slave trader ship. During a bad storm he started reflecting on all the miracles Jesus had performed in his favor, all the times he almost died, but was spared. He began reading scriptures, learning Latin and Greek so he could read text in different languages. John Newton got out of the slave trading business and began to seek work for God.

This is a really great story, and since most of this book is John's letters he had written you have to do some translating and read carefully. If you want to learn about John Newton and how his life was radically changed, this is a great book to read.

I received this book from Attic Books, A Division of New Leaf Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.