From Sea to Shining Sea: 1787-1837 (God's Plan for America)

I read the first installment in this trilogy -- The Light and the Glory -- and enjoyed it so much that I purchased both of the sequels. Thankfully this second installment of Peter Marshall's and David Manuel's interpretation of American history did not disappoint. Indeed I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first book.From Sea to Shining Sea covers roughly 50 years of American history - from 1787 to approximately 1837. This was a turbulent time, with the new nation going through many "growing pains." The book touches on some of the most famous -- and infamous -- incidents in American history: the Constitutional Convention; the War of 1812; the Lewis and Clark expedition; the Alamo; the Donner party; the Louisiana Purchase; the Trail of Tears. It also covered some lesser-known (at least to me) incidents such as the Methodist circuit-riding preachers in the new western territories, the revivals that occurred in Kentucky and Tennessee and then in New England, some of the early Supreme Court decisions that shaped our judicial branch of government, and the depression of 1819 (in many ways more devastating that the Great Depression that would come 110 years later). The authors shine their spotlight less on the "superstars" of history, than on some of the perhaps lesser-known players who nonetheless played key roles during this era, such as John Quincy Adams and John Marshall.These 50 years were a time when America, fresh from the Revolutionary War and the burst of unification that had enabled them to defeat the British, plunged all too quickly back into a regionalism and factionalism that became deeper than ever before. The authors probe the issues that were brewing during this time and that would inevitably lead to the Civil War: not just the moral and societal cause of slavery (more on that below) but also the economic causes brought about largely by the Protective Tariff (which I haven't heard discussed or read about since my junior-year history class in high school!).But weaving all though this book from beginning to end is the issue of slavery; it is inescapable, really, since it was such a deeply-rooted poison in American culture (the effects of which we are still dealing with even today). The authors give an excellent treatment of slavery that is thoughtful and thorough. They begin with the very first shipload of 20 blacks who landed in Virginia in 1619, and describe how attitudes towards slavery shifted over time and from region to region. They show the particular conditions that enabled slavery to become such an entrenched part of Southern society. But most importantly, they show the effects of slavery on white Southerners; this is an angle that is rarely if ever discussed anymore. Because the authors approach it from a Biblical perspective, they are able to illustrate just how corrosive slavery was to the psyche of the white slave owners; it fostered and fed the sinful and exploitative nature that we are all born with. No mainstream historian today would probably even believe that, much less write it in a book, given the prevailing humanistic (and anti-Biblical) mindset nowadays that says mankind is innately good.The authors also discuss the religion of the slaves and their strong and widespread adoption of Christianity; indeed, they propose that it was the slaves' deep faith in Jesus, while suffering such physical persecution, that likely kept America's tenuous hold on God's grace during this turbulent time. All in all, it was the most thought-provoking, balanced and thorough treatments of the whole slavery issue -- both North and South -- that I have ever read.For anyone who has an interest in American history, and who also believes in the absolute sovereignty of God and of His Word (the Bible) I highly recommend this book. It is a keeper that I will doubtless read again someday.

A must-have for your library and teaching tool.

WOW, why isn’t this taught in American schools??? I was a history major at a very high level university and 95% of this was my first time ever reading it. Christianity was the foundation in the forming of our nation and is the main reason why our country is the greatest in the world which I will never apologize for. Whether you decide to take that as the truth is up to you and if you think otherwise, I will gladly buy you a one way ticket to any other country as long as you stay there. You can get anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want and that has nothing to do entitlement and everything to do with servant leadership. But reading this series opens your eyes to the original purpose which seems to be fading further away as we choose to stay uneducated while at the same time continue to be indoctrinated. Socialism will never be the answer when freedom is the question. The events and trends in this book are as apparent today as they were back then and we need to learn from it. These books are the real history and I highly recommend we start educating ourselves before we no longer have the right to do the same. God Bless America.

I love this book! I read it 20 years ago, lent it out and never got it back. So glad I could find another one in good condition for my home library.

This book, and the other two that are in the series, are very helpful in learning about the things that secular historians won't tell you (or like to twist) or just plain don't know or ignore. The way God came through for His people when they bent their will to His is amazing. I was so encouraged page after page when reading this book and I think it would do many people, Christian or not, good to read this book and the other two to get the fuller picture of US history. My only complaint is that it's written in a more novel like form and it threw me off at times. Other than that great book(s) and will keep them to refer to in the future when I'm feeling down about the division in my country. EDIT 1/25/15 I also have a problem with the fact that dates and times don't seem to be important in this series. I am constantly flipping back and forth between chapters trying to find a year and date so I can follow along with a sense of order. There are some dates and years listed in the book but it isn't consistent. So they will talk about en event and then shift to another and I'm left trying to figure out how much time has passed between events. A year later? A month later? Same year? Very frustrating. Still though a good series. Maybe the publishing company will have someone update the book with dates so that history buffs can follow along comfortably.

Anyone interested in American history, told from a Biblical perspective MUST read this book!This book covers American history as I’ve never read!👏🎯❤️🇺🇸

I purchased this book because it is the second in a set of three books. I have purchased all three in the set. I can't say enough about the book and the author, Peter Marshall. Peter Marshall has researched American History extenstively and reveals all the things that are being deliberately taught in schools and colleges that is INCORRECT regarding our Hertiage. This is a MUST READ for every American. If you are in College or have children in school, this is a MUST READ. You will see our Judeo-Christian Hertiage. You will learn the TRUTH ABOUT AMERICA'S FOUNDING AND OUR FOUNDING FATHERS. This book isn't one man's opinion. Peter Marshall has verified all of his research. Please purchase this book if you love America and want to see freedom continue.