The Great Awakening of the early 18th century started the American evangelical movement that continues to this day. Sarah Osborn was an early evangelical whose diaries and letters provide a revelatory account of her intensely personal and public journey toward salvation. Powerful biography and penetrating colonial history that is moving but never contrived. ~ Reviewed by Bill Lewis
Beautifully written, pitch perfect introduction to the story of English colonization of the Caribbean Sugar Islands. For several centuries the tiny islands produced immense wealth while simultaneously destroying African lives in numbers and ways that beggar description. A book that should encourage further study of a critically important time and place in the history of the western hemisphere. ~ Reviewed by Bill Lewis
Clearly, relentlessly, and convincingly destroys the idea that Lincoln and his anti-slavery Republicans waited until dire military necessity led them to act against slavery. James Oakes shows that the process was gathering steam even before Lincoln took office. Perfect book to enhance your viewing experience of Spielberg's Lincoln. Compelling. ~ Reviewed by Bill Lewis
A well organized smorgasbord serving up relentlessly interesting stories , a delightfully entertaining style of writing, and some carefully suggestive observations about human "mastery" over our planet. Refreshingly cheerful history with an important subtext. ~ Reviewed by Bill Lewis
In 1939 an alliance between Roosevelt, Churchill, And Stalin would have seemed illogical, unlikely, and probably impossible. But it held together long enough (just over 3 years) to assure the defeat of Hitler. In early 1945 its inevitable unravelling began. Michaels Dobbs at his careful, riveting best. Filled with fascinating details. ~ Reviewed by Bill Lewis