John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

One of the greatest, most interesting, impressive, impacting, inspiring and entertaining books I've read in all my life! This is hard to lay down, once you begin reading. Almost, if not, similar to reading a good edge of your seat mystery novel. Only this is real life! This is almost like having lived several lives all in one flesh. Not many details of Newton's worst sins are eliminated or polished. His life held such dramatics, fearful, horrible, painful, disappointing,and wretched experiences, it was hard for me to really accept one human being could have gone through all he did; not only capturing slaves and transporting them, packed worse than dumb animals in his ships, raping some of the young women, but having in his own life the reality of being a slave himself which almost led to his death.One powerful appeal for me in purchasing this biography of Newton was when I read the brief history of the author Jonathan Aitken. His own past sinful life experience qualifies him, as no other author, to identify with John Newton the sinner who was regenerated by GOD's power. Just search the Foreword by Philip Yancey about the Aitken's own fall from grace and note how this adds real heart-beat and emotions known by himself to enable Aitken to qualify as writing about the transformation experienced by a sinner into a saved by grace saint.I repeat, this is such an easy read, so well written by Aitken who became an award-winning author. He and Newton both discovered in "abysmal depths the first steps toward redemption."It has romance, intrigue,edge of your seat "can't lay it down" "rip-roaring reading" and a real-life look at some of the mysterious ways and methods GOD has used to reach the kinds of people we would be ready to vote "Guilty!" after our first look at them.I cannot see how anyone would or could be disappointed in this 356 page fantastic book!

This book is ,in one word, excellent! It is well researched and written. It gives great insight into the times that John Newton lived and the people he knew which gives a great background for the life of John Newton himself. The book shows how truly disgusting slavery and the slave trade was. It does an excellent job of explaining John Newton's Christian beliefs and that he was a work in progress after his conversion. Finally, John Newton's Christianity is quite refreshing in comparison with what Christian Churches of the left and right have to say today.

John Newton is well known for his hymn writing, specifically Amazing Grace. The reason for the popularity of this hymn is more due to the fact of the truth of the words, "That saved a wretch like me!" John Newton truly was a wretch. As a matter of fact in reading this biography of his life you are left a little bit in dislike of the man.John Newton's early life was terrible. His mother died when he was still a boy, his father remarried and had three more children with his second wife, but they treated John a bit with contempt.His father had him put to work by the time he was 13 and by the time he was 15 he was accomplished as a sailing man. BUT, he was not a good, righteous man. Indeed, he was a vile obnoxious sailor who could swear with the best of them, drink others under the table and found that he never had a ships Captain that he could respect.John Newton was a "wretch." He was a deserter from the Royal Navy and when caught he was flogged and demoted and despised by all other sailors. He also was such a pain in the neck to the captain that he traded Newton to a merchant vessel to obtain a more able bodied navy sailor.Newton was then introduced to the slave trade. He was taught how to capture, incarcerate and demean African's to the point of inhumane means. But what he dished out came back to haunt him as he was himself enslaved for a time and almost starved to death.Further he was on board ship after ship where he should have died, but always a strange twist of circumstance would spare his life. Was this God's doing to prepare him and spare him for a life of service to the Lord?The first third or so of the book describes Newton's upbringing, his sin, his wretchedness and his terrible acts of vileness as a slave trader. Frankly I just didn't like him as I learned more about him.But then the change takes place and his life does a complete 180 degree turn. God has captured his heart and sets him on a path of service that is truly amazing. Newton becomes a beloved pastor and hymn writer. He is a true Shepherd to the people in his flock and cares deeply for them.He also takes up action as an abolitionist to defeat the slave trade business and set Christians on a proper course to understand that slave trading is not Biblical nor honorable, but just inhuman. Newton will join forces with William Wilberforce and also mentor Wilberforce as they work towards the abolition of the slave trade.The work of John Newton for the Lord is truly amazing and an inspiration to all of us. After disliking him completely through the beginning of the book I come to admired and trust his faith and his teachings on the Christian life. He is an inspiration to all of us.I actually stopped and thought, the modern day version of John Newton would be Chuck Colson. Both started out as terrible sinners and God captured their hearts in captivity and turned them to a true walk with Christ and they both became Shepherds to their flocks that were honoring to the Lord.Enjoy!

Great read !

My wife could not put this down and talks about John Newton continually. I have now started to read and this true life story is amazing. Jonathan Aitken has done a marvellous work here and this is a book is a must for all. Very readable and a great adventure story. You will not believe all a young man has been through in the first 25 years of his life. No wonder we still sing one of his greatest hymns known by so many around the world - Amazing Grace.

This book was well worth the time reading without getting overly bogged down with historical trivia. Newton was one bad boy rescued by Grace. Aitken does a masterful job. Thanks!

Great book. Johnathan Airkin keeps you attention. Great writer

So far I am only a short way through the book, having regular interruptions, but each time I pick it up I get straight back into the read with enjoyment, which I would not say about all the books I read. Newtons life would make an amazing film, tho I suspect no one would touch it with having to put so much of his belief in God into it.