The Light and the Glory: 1492-1793 (God's Plan for America)

Great book tells a truly epic story of essential history of the United States. How can anyone understand who and what America is without grasping the material in this book? We owe the authors a deep debt of gratitude for pulling this information together which effectively tells the story of the American people.In handing out credit to mankind it is hard not to lead out the list with Columbus' discovery of the new continent. I was honestly sitting on the edge of my seat during the recounting of this story. I had no idea of the vision Columbus had and was ignorant of the details set forth in 3 chapters. Now I know.Jamestown is of course not thought much of these days and now I know why. What a depressing story with precious little light and grace, though there was some, which came in the form of the young Pocahontas. The authors beautifully put the story together because without the darkness of Jamestown how would we realize the light and grace of Plymouth?I was expecting to understand, from reading this book, a tracing of how God was working in America during those early years, but what I wasn't expecting was an explanation of freedom, morality and the establishment of political thought through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was a political science major in college but had no idea how political thought developed into our republic. This book gives me that understanding.Adding to the list of most influential Americans we read of William Bradford, Jonathan Winthrop and Thomas Hooker and learn that the trajectory of our nation was established in the first 20 years after the Pilgrims landed. As we experience with the Christian life, early Americans struggled to stay the course of their purpose and calling, to be a "city set upon a hill".Then, almost as expected, something was needed to bring us back on track; enter George Whitefield. Through almost 4 decades of amazing work by the Spirit of God to bring America back on track God is doing an equally amazing work of unifying their disparate condition. How could the slave south ever have anything in common with the free north? Enter again the gospel of Jesus Christ that creates a unity of purpose and mind.Finally, with a truly fitting conclusion to the story, the tale ends with the commencement of a nation and the unifying work of George Washington. As the Holy Bible is entirely a work of the Holy Spirit in authorship so was also the unifying of the nation in which George Washington plays a central part. More than anyone else it was he who points, over and over again, to the providence of God in this final chapter of the birth of the nation and challenges us to stay the course of faithfulness or reap the consequences of judgment.

I read this book years ago and always referred to it. I let a friend borrow it and never got it back so decided I would purchase it again and read it to my husband. Lots of interesting facts about how God protected his own and restored those when the leaned into him. An up and down journey with God. Blessed when they honored him and hard times when they felt they didn't need God. The journey to become a nation from the journals of those who lived it. I love this book.

While I have read a lot of "Christian" books on faith and many other subjects, I can only say that there is more Biblical teaching through the history contained herein than ANY 2 of the others. Peter Marshal and David Manuel have so successfully woven together, not only the intricate details of our history and the great faith and struggle of these "first comers", but they have included in the fabric such lessons from God's Word as seen by His providence, that I was, chapter after chapter, confronted with issues of my own need for growth and humility. They have further done all this in a most lively and engaging format so that you may think you are reading a great novel rather than history! They reveal a story so intriguing to any with a thirst for truth about this nation's early development. You will find it difficult to put down and be eager to pick it up again! You will come away with a visceral understanding of the people and the struggles of this era - 1492 to 1793, unlike you could ever hope to have by any other means except being there. Both for content and for style this is truly a GREAT READ!

Very informative and well written history of early America.

This text should be read by everyone, especially those who call themselves a believer and a patriot.The highlighting of God's plan from the beginning leaves no doubt that He is in control.

Love this book! The history of our country totally proved without a doubt that Christ, our Lord and Savior, blessed and led our founding fathers. Today, I’m worried, that God our Father is disappointed in the direction we are now trying to do..removing prayer from schools, trying to remove “in God we trust”, one nation under God. We should be ashamed of ourselves. May we repent and get on our knees before it is too late. Thanks to this book, it has reinforced my love of God, His Son and His will. I will be praying harder then ever for us and our country.