The Story of Liberty

This book was written in 1879 and reflects a common intrepratation of English history at the time. Indeed, it is very similar to the view the founding fathers took of the events covered in this history. All too often, it is assumed that modern interpretations of history are somehow objective and unbiased. All historians write from their worldview, and there is nothing that says a naturalist/atheistic perspective is somehow more valid than the perspective that God directs that events of history for a purpose. The latter view is much closer to what was held by many of the people (Reformers, Pilgrims, & Catholics) that this history is about, and therefore, in my opinion, is capable of a deeper understanding of the motivation of these people to act against injustice. It is by reading books written by people in ages other than our own that we gain the perspective necessary to analize our own cultures assumptions and beliefs.

I read this for pleasure, not for home schooling. It was outstanding! A fast and easy read, easily relating together the events over the past 700 years. Cofing clearly illustrates the slow struggle of the human race towards freedom ... tieing events together in a literary time-line. With such a clear conception of the tyrrants of the past, one can't help but draw parallels with contemporary tyrrants. I wish I had read this when I was in school. I am recommending it to all of my friends.

Despite what others may have said about this book's qualities regarding homeschooling it remains one of THE best books on the foundation of American culture. The author attempted and succeeded to remain unbiased when writing upon matters of religion (i.e. Roman Catholic Church vs. Protestant Church). However, the obvious wrong done by the Roman Catholic Church during the Roman Inquisition (not just the Spanish) is made quite clear. Yet the author does not leave the Protestant church without some blame, for they did promote violence, wars, and some measure of persecution. The book does accomplish its goal by making the reader understand what liberty is and what it has cost. No homeschooling Christian (or otherwise) child should be without this book.

While the perspective in this book seems decidedly Protestant, Coffin's focus is on the progress of men out of the stifling opression of freedom in the dark ages (esp.by the Catholic Church)to the freedom we may take for granted today. He tells the stories of various people who were willing to give up everything for the principle of freedom of thought. On the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre- "Catherine hastens to Charles' chamber once more. He is sitting in a chair, moody, angry, silent. He has acquiesced in the plan until now; but as the hour for its consummation approaches, is irresolute. It will be so mean to have the old admiral, and others who hace confided in his word, assassinated. Poor weakling that he is, there is still left a little of his better nature. The education that he has received from his mother - that the end always justifies the means - the school of falsehood in which he has been taught, has not quite obliterated all sense of what is right and honorable."This book reads like a novel, not a history book. It is such a page turner that my children wore out one copy and have begun on another!