Woodmason's account is an excellent resource for anyone studying frontier life of the American South prior to the Revolution, as well as for those studying the Anglican Church in America before the Revolution. It is a refreshing change from other resources on Anglicanism in the pre-revolutionary South, which mostly deal with Virginia (Woodmason ministered in what is now South Carolina and parts of North Carolina). Woodmason provides great insight into the anti-British sentiment of the Scot-Irish population on the frontier; his narrative also speaks to the religious tension on the frontier between established churches, upstart churches, and the multitude of the unchurched settlers. It is entertaining and well-written, but somewhat difficult to read if you are unaccustomed to the cadence and terminology of 18th century English. Overall, I highly recommend this book for researchers and students; it may not necessarily be something you want to take to the beach

Though Woodmason looked with disdain at many of the living conditions and customs of the South Carolina backcoutry settlers, his diary provides an important glimpse into the rugged individuality that distinquished the American frontier. Also, he summarizes the spiritual state of the southern colonies during this period. Finally, this book is a fine resource for the Regulator movement in South Carolina. Any researcher seeking perspectives on pre-Revolutionary life on the frontier would do well to have a copy of this book.