Amazing Grace

The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song

De: Bruce Hindmarsh, Craig Borlase

Narrado por: Alan Irving, Bruce Hindmarsh, Craig Borlase

Amazing Grace is the surprising true story of John Newton, author of the song that has touched millions. A biography that reads like a novel, it reveals Newton’s dramatic story of sin and salvation as a slave trader before his ultimate transformation to speaking out against the horror of slavery. His story speaks to the brokenness within us all and our need for God’s amazing grace—and reveals the truth behind his song.

Amazing Grace is based on years of research on the life and writings of John Newton. It tells of a prodigal who returns home, and a young love that defies the odds; of a young man whose life is torn by grief and wounded by the cruelty of others, following his descent into deeper suffering and finally into the brutal world of the slave trade. Newton rejects God repeatedly but is rescued by a divine mercy that reaches deeper than he could ever have imagined as he ultimately faces his past and repents.

Newton’s story is shocking, and Amazing Grace does not try to airbrush or excuse his faults. There are glaring contradictions in the life of a ship’s Captain who retreats to his cabin to study his Bible and write tender love letters to his wife while hundreds of slaves lie in chains in the hold below.

The profound lessons from his life are applicable to us today, helping us to:

• Discover that the need for grace is universal and offers the deepest hope for overcoming hatred
• Be honest about our lives even when we are ashamed and face seemingly unresolvable problems
• Look for grace when life is far from perfect and doesn't match up to our expectations
• Trust that our mistakes and regrets, no matter how deep, can be redeemed in the end

Since the first public singing of “Amazing Grace” almost 250 years ago, every generation has been profoundly moved by the song, and now readers can connect with John Newton’s story like never before. In these days of extreme polarization when beliefs about race, church, and politics have all become deeply divisive in society, we need grace more than ever. We need stories like this one that talk honestly about the human condition but even more about the relentless love of God and his forgiveness of sins.

Wow.. just wow.

I’m a private voice teacher and had a student who wanted to sing Reba’s version of Amazing Grace. To give my student a deeper glance into the meaning I found out not only about the song but who wrote it. Hearing that the same man who wrote this amazing hymn was once a captain of a slave ship was confusing and intriguing at the same time. Looking deeper I found this audiobook and had to read it and am glad I did. The story of John Newton is not one to overlook. It’s so overwhelming and sits deep with your soul and truly gives you a new outlook on life. This by far one of the best books I’ve ever come across and one I know will never leave me.

New Information wonderfully done.

The reading, the content and the clear testimony of God's' saving and sustaining grace brought great blessing.

Very good

I was looking for a Christian book to listen to and I found this by chance. I felt like I was watching a movie, even though I could only hear the story. It made me understand John Newton even more. I had previously listened to another book on John Newton, which was good but not as easy to understand as this book.

Great Inspirational Biography

Amazing Grace, by Bruce Hindmarsh and Craig Borlase, is a powerful and inspirational book about the life of John Newton, former slave trader who learned firsthand the horrors of the English slave traffic in the 1800s. This biography is captivating. I found it so interesting, I recommended it a dozen times before I finished the book.

It “carries strong” all the way through.

John Newton’s transformation from ship captain to church pastor shows how God worked on Newton’s heart and even led him to write, “Amazing Grace,” probably the most famous hymn in the world.

The book’s portrayal of Newton as pastor, author, and key advocate to make the slave trade illegal in England, juxtapose his earlier life at sea, and are equally fascinating.

God’s Amazing Grace is the ultimate message of this book, and can well encourage others.

Enjoyed the story but a bit too macabre

This story is definitely worth the listen. John Newton’s story is a profound example of God’s Grace. While I enjoyed the story and the narration it left me feeling more melancholy than inspired. There’s lengthy time spent on the tragedies, not only in John Newton’s life (which are understandable since the book is about him), but also the tragedies and sufferings in the lives of those around him. I regret to say I finished this book feeling more depressed than encouraged. Having said this I still will recommend this book to anyone interested in the life of John Newton or Christian history.