Library Journal
Marsden's condensed retelling of his definitive 2003 biography, Jonathan Edwards: A Life, highlights the key moments and overriding themes of the life of the New England evangelist best known for his role in the Great Awakening of the mid-18th century and for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Grover Gardner, Publishers Weekly's 2005 Audiobook Narrator of the Year, anchors Marsden's solid, succinct text in a seamless and engaging reading that balances the depth of the subject matter with the book's length. Recommended for those interested in a concise exploration of the theological underpinnings of American society. [The Eerdmans pb was described as "a readable and illuminating introduction to this important figure in American religious history," LJ 11/1/08.—Ed.]—Christopher Rager, Pasadena, CA
From the Publisher
Publishers Weekly "A slim but solid biography of Edwards. . . Marsden's work provides an accessible and informed account for scholars and laypeople alike."
Booklist "A work of grace, lit by affection for the great clergyman and understanding of his place and time. . . A lovely précis of Edwards. "
Daniel Walker Howe, author of What Hath God Wrought, 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner for history "Lucid and wise, brief but broadly informative, this book introduces present-day Americans to the greatest of early American Christian thinkers and to the colonial society in which he lived."
Tim Keller, author of The Reason for God "A masterpiece. Distilled in this little volume is not only Marsden's own massive knowledge of the man Jonathan Edwards but also a generation of scholarship that has sought to understand the religious roots of contemporary U.S. society. A must-read especially for pastors and preachers who want to be both faithful to classic Christianity and yet engaged with culture."
Harry S. Stout, Yale University "Marsden is easily the most distinguished historian of Edwards in the world today. . . With a clear and engaging writing style, he makes America's most brilliant colonial intellectual come alive as no other scholar has done."
Gerald McDermott, Roanoke College "George Marsden is our premier historian of 'America's theologian.' In this wonderfully accessible introduction to Jonathan Edwards's life and thought, Marsden not only shows why Edwards was the architect of the first American revolution (the Great Awakening) but also provides fresh insight into his God-intoxicated vision of reality."
Douglas A. Sweeney, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School "In this fresh, crisp retelling of the story of Jonathan Edwards, George Marsden offers a masterful synthesis of biographical data. Easy to read and never dull, A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards should enjoy a long life on the shelves of personal, congregational, and academic libraries."Themelios “Theologically sensitive, historically insightful, and engagingly written. Highly recommended.”Westminster Theological Journal “An engaging and accessible little book that deserves wide readership. . . . An excellent introduction to the man who is arguably the most important and creative theologian and Christian philosopher America has ever produced.” Religious Studies Review “Marsden’s slim volume should stand as a model for other eminent historians who would like to make their scholarship available to a popular audience.” Reviews in Religion & Theology “Accessible and encouraging to read. . . . Highly recommended.”
MARCH 2009 - AudioFile
Marsden's biography of Jonathan Edwards (most famous for the sermon "Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God") is not intended as an abridgment of his lengthier JONATHAN EDWARDS: A LIFE. Instead, it's meant to provide insight into Edwards's life and influence to a wider audience. Marsden places particular emphasis on the profound cultural and social shifts that were occurring during Edwards's life and how those shifts influenced his development as a man, scholar, and clergyman. Grover Gardner narrates with a crisp, businesslike attitude, which only works part of the time. He moves along swiftly, the prose buoying him up with clever anecdotes of Edwards's life. But at times Gardner sounds like he's simply reading the text, rather than narrating, a choice that sometimes makes Marsden's insightful, sensitive biography sound like a brittle history textbook. A.H.A. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
