Bevan Houston

Simply one of the best history books I've ever read.

It is always tough to separate one's opinion of a history book from your opinion of the value of the subject (this is why there is an Abraham Lincoln book published every day of the year). I think the post-WW2 cultural renaissance out of Rome is fascinating on many, many levels. I would gladly read another book that tried to explore the rise of Italian fashion & film from the (literal) ashes of war-torn Italy. This book was good... but not great. Nothing jumped off the page to me as particularly insightful. It is just such an interesting slice of history, even an average effort is worth the time.

Wonderful, fascinating read. I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book.

I had expected to get a better picture of the main currents within global (or Atlantic, at least) abolitionism. The book touched on these topics a little bit, but the weight of the effort was giving a tour of major events leading up to American abolition during the Civil War. Obviously one of the biggest threads to address, but one that is so thoroughly covered in most Civil War books. It felt redundant to spend so much time here, when lacking more effort at coloring in the bigger picture of how and why the tide turned so much in the West between 1800 and 1860.

I have the privilege of serving in the same Presbytery as Rev. Philliber, so I will be generous with any book he writes as I would be a friend. Beyond that though, I strongly commend this book as very appropriate to our times and one that benefited me greatly by reading. Two separate times I was struggling over a matter and reading a section of this book untangled my thoughts and led me to make better decisions and adjust my posture. What more can you say for a book that encourages your spirit and helps guide your steps?