Out of the Depths

The Autobiography of John Newton

By: John Newton

Narrated by: William Sutherland

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” So begins one of the most beloved hymns of all time. This is the autobiography of the man who penned those words. John Newton, the self-proclaimed “wretch”,was an active slave trader for several years until, on a homeward voyage through a violent storm, he experienced what he was later to refer to as his “great deliverance.” He tells of the dramatic, real-life events that led him from sin and bondage to a life transformed by God’s grace.

Public Domain (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ Out of the Depths provides a beautiful picture of the 'mazing grace’ Newton so eloquently described in his famous song.” ( Singing News)

An amazing life

I knew the bare outline of John Newton’s life, but there was so much I didn’t know. Of course I knew that he had been the captain of a slave ship and converted to Christianity, and wrote Amazing Grace. But I didn’t know that he had become a minister and served for many many years after his sea captain days. I also didn’t know that he had no Christian friends or mentors. He continued with the slave ship because he didn’t recognize that was wrong. He was focused on the sinfulness of his profane and libertine lifestyle, Narrator was very authentic-sounding, almost making you believe it was John Newton himself. However, the strong British accent made some words and phrases hard to understand. Newton’s devotion to his wife was beautiful, and the end of the book, speaking of her death, brought tears to my eyes.

Amazing

Great reading of this amazing life. I enjoyed this book, it adds so much to the song, to understand the life.

Great encouragement

I enjoyed learning more about John Newton and his commitment to free grace. We need the message of free grace in a world where we burden ourselves with the law.

The accent of the narrator was difficult for me.

The narrator was difficult for me to understand at times. Otherwise, a good story.

I almost didn’t continue

The narrator was so different than what I have listened that I almost stopped listening. At first I only listened in small amounts. Newton was a wonderful philosopher. If you can’t listen to the whole thing try the last chapter. Once you read some of his ideas you may want to find out about the life that lead to such wisdom

Amazing Grace--not featured

John Newton's transformation from sinner to Christian is inspiring and comforting, and God's grace towards him is truly amazing. That said, those looking for an account of his writing Amazing Grace or doing anything to abolish the slave trade should look elsewhere. Outstanding performance.

Great book, though a little difficult to understan

the reader was a little hard to understand at times, but it was a great book