Creating the Better Hour: Lessons from William Wilberforce

Book Overview

The spirit of William Wilberforce, who worked to stop the transatlantic slave trade 200 years ago, is alive and active in all people whose faith complel their tireless efforts to transform their... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0979646219
• ISBN13: 9780979646218
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Stroud & Hall Pub
• Length: 349 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Life and Legacy of William Wilberforce

Over the past few years all things Wilberforce have arrived on my desk. There have been articles, two biographies, booklets, a dramatic film, a documentary, and Creating the Better Hour: Lessons from William Wilberforce, a book of essays about William Wilberforce's life and legacy. The book's editor, Chuck Stetson, did an outstanding job of selecting a wide variety of writers all of whom see William Wilberforce as a model for thoughtful, zealous, and effective political engagement. The writers are Christian and Jewish, Protestant and Catholic, Republican and Democrat, Liberal and Conservative, scholarly and political. Together they look at the history of Wilberforce's fight to abolish the slave trade and then slavery, at modern day slavery and the need to complete the legacy of the abolition movement, and at the ways in which Wilberforce serves as a model for bringing about effective cultural change. The essays are readable, informative, and thought-provoking. In addition, accompanying each essay is an "Extended Observation" comprising questions for discussion, Bible readings, practical suggestions for implementing the conclusions reached, and an appropriate prayer selected from the Bible. This makes the book accessible to small groups, Sunday school classes, and Christian schooling. As Rick Warren writes in the book's forward, Wilberforce "understood that the purpose for having influence is to speak up for those who have no influence...." The essays convey a portrait of someone who is a model for the wise use of influence on behalf of the powerless and challenge the reader to greater stewardship of influence on behalf of the powerless today.

A Unique Book Among the Many Books about Wilberforce

The 200th anniversary of William Wilberforce's historic legislation concerning slavery has resulted in a large number of publications, organizations, and events. All have the same focus: To remind the world of the work and dedication of this very unique man and the times in which he worked. Wilberforce's novel and creative approaches to social changes not only ended the slave trade between the UK and US, but also started more than 70 other organizations, all of which improved the state of his fellow countrymen and the world, and many of which are still active today. The overall quality of the many published works stands as a testimony to the man, Wilberforce, and his hard and tireless work to correct the wrongs and evils he saw around him. This book, "CREATING THE BETTER HOUR: Lessons from William Wilberforce," is unique in its approach. Rather than a single author or view, the book brings together twenty authors who find themselves within the broad sphere of Wilberforce's influence. Opening with the William Cowper poem from which the book's title is taken, the book continues with a forward by Rick Warren and preface from the editor, Chuck Stetson. The book then proceeds through four major topics: * Six articles on the background of the Clapham Group and how they created the first organized campaigns for social change. * Five articles on the effect of Wilberforce's work on abolition and slavery over the next 200 years throughout the world and the work that still needs to be done. * Nine articles that provide insight, direction, and motivation for all citizens to take action in their own communities. * The book closes with a call to action and practical steps for doing so. Bottom Line: Read all you can read about William Wilberforce. His life, lessons, and his example of practical action can be applied to your community, state, and country. But whatever you read, read this book first and last as an introduction and summary of the work that is yet to be done. From Rick Warren's Preface: "Today our world needs a new generation of people like Wilberforce. I pray this book spurs you on to make a difference just as he did." And so do I.