Helpful and sympathetic treatment, Hague honestly reports his religion without feeling he has to sneer. Good outline of environment they lived in. Wilberforce clearly a charming man with great conversational gifts. Got on well with his enemies and didn't get vindictive. This sometimes helped greatly. Rich but open handed. Not al all radical, very supportive of order and the status quo, except in particular areas. Believer that the rich should share their wealth, no need then for revolution. Also goes on at length about 'Providence' something that I think modern Christians have given up on. It took an agonisingly long time to get the trade abandoned, funny to read of his prolonged holidays in Bath whilst it was all going on.
1819 in real trouble with British radicals who say he cares more for black slaves than wage slaves. His problem with radicals was that their solution was divorced from Xnty. Radicals would "exclude religion from life, and substitute knowledge in its stead"!! The people need education in Xn principles. His views assumed the reign of Christendom, which no longer exists. ( )

William Hague is one of my favorite authors. Just like his book on William Pitt, I would highly recommend this book. It's well-researched and easy to read. The author provides good anecdotes as well as different perspectives from contemporaries about William Wilberforce. Reading the book makes you feel how passionate William Wilberforce is in ending the slavery and makes you feel inspired about fighting for your own cause despite the obstacles. The pictures were great too! This book is definitely worth-reading! ( )

An excellent biography of a great man, and a useful antidote to the current (understandable) perception that all politicians are just in it for their own pecunary gain. ( )

f you enjoyed the movie, "Amazing Grace," this book provides the detail and background to fully understand the importance of William Wilberforce and his fight against the slave trade. "The reason he is a lasting inspiration rather than a mere notable parlimentarian is that in a long and arduous public life, he showed unyielding reverance for truth, loyalty, integrity and principle as he understood it, setting an example that has stirred the hearts and elevated the minds of generations who followed. In the dark historical landscape of violence, treachery and hate, the life of William Wilberforce stands a beacon and light. . ." (page 515). The British antislavery campaigner gets his own well-deserved biography in this clearly written, sympathetic work by Hague, a member of Britain's shadow cabinet. ( )

Workmanlike rather than inspirational. The author fails to get under the skin of the subject. esp. W's religious motivation. The tenor of the work also tends towards hagiography. Saved by outstanding analysis of W's oratory, an area where the author is qualified to provide real insight. ( )