"The dealers kept up with Europe's demand for slaves by kidnapping Africans or by manipulating the local political leaders. Africans were captured during skirmishes; enemies sold one another to the dealers. Yoked together with crude wooden devices, the captives from the inlands of Africa were marched or taken by boat to the coast."
This illustrated biography is an example of some of our finest literature for children. Linda Granfield is a consummate researcher whose books have encouraged and informed her readers with worthy historical stories. The subtitle for this fine book is The Journey to Amazing Grace. It tells John Newton’s story in straightforward text and peppered with compassion for his life’s callings. Raised by a sea captain and an educated mother whose dreams for their son were different, John was eventually able to please both. He went to sea with his father, and became a successful slave trader. Eventually disillusioned with dealing in human life he turned to the church to assuage his turmoil. His ardent fervor for the teachings of the church led him to write many hymns, the most famous being AMAZING GRACE which is still sung throughout the world two hundred years after his death. That would surely please him; but, he would be very disappointed to know that slavery (which he worked so diligently to abolish) remains a world issue.
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