While the mention of the name John Newton (1725-1807) will probably elicit a blank stare from most people, there are very few people who are unfamiliar with Newton's most famous composition - the hymn "Amazing Grace." Those familiar with the hymn most likely do not know that - prior to becoming a minister and a composer of hymns - Newton was a slave trader, a scoundrel, a ruffian, etc.

This book is Netwon's autobiography. I recently read it in one sitting and must say that I was incredibly humbled by Newton's account of his life. (This book broke scabs off of my heart that I thought were petrified!) There is no way that one can read this book and thereafter not have an added appreciation for Newton's lyrics (e.g., "amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me").

Newton's story puts flesh on the verse: "[God] determined the times set for [man] and the exact places where [man] should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though he is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:26-27)

Even though it has gone through at least 6 printings, it is a badly thrown together hodge-podge of accounts. Most are exceedingly brief, and piled one upon another interminably, they soon become quite tedious.

Much more could have been given if much less had been aimed at. Had the book been limited to 20 or so accounts of notable believers and a similar number of unbelievers, and more details given of the individuals' lives and importance, it would have been far better. A fact compounding the disappointment is that there is no adequate documentation in the whole volume (though there are scatterings of bibiliography mentioning books he drew some accounts from, but even these are very incomplete, none giving publishers or dates).

There are a number of factual mistakes in the book as well. Lockyer argues that the apostle "James the son of Alphaeus" is the same as "James the Lord's brother" (p. 50) which is impossible. He makes Lord Byron (p. 104) and Thomas Jefferson (p. 98) Christians (both were notorious unbelievers) and Thomas Paine an American (p. 132; he was English). He says George Whitefield settled in America (p. 58; he never "settled" anywhere), and gives a clearly erroneous date regarding the life of Bunyan (p. 63; possibly a typographical error). Three erroneous dates are found on pp. 100-1: 1842 for 1812; 1860 for 1857; and February 2 for February 12. He erroneously declares that Lincoln was shot in both the back and side of the head (p. 102; back only is correct). He speaks of 15th century Puritan persecutions (p. 147), though the Puritans did not exist until the second half of the 16th century. Had Lockyer's reputation as an author depended on this volume, he would be held in very low esteem indeed.

"AS I SEE IT" Volume 1 Number 8, August, 1998 Doug Kutilek, editor and writer