Amazing Grace

Eighteenth-century abolitionist William Wilberforce's talents and successes provide bountiful material for Eric Metaxas's historical pen. Johnny Heller takes full advantage of the author's humor, rich language, and clever ways of saying things. Heller's mature, sandy voice never overwhelms, but allows listeners to hear his smile as he reads some of the hilarious passages. He addresses the occasional bits of poetry with either the reverence or amusement intended by the author. Although Heller's pace seems brisk at first, it serves to maintain a welcome tempo for such a diverse parade of information about disease, politics, aristocratic living, and the madness of George III. The audiobook is a worthwhile prequel to the American Civil War and a jewel of biography beyond black and white. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine