First among Friends: George Fox and the Creation of Quakerism
"The last three decades have seen a remarkable development in Quaker historiography...Larry Ingle's extraordinary biography of George Fox is not only a fitting contribution to this corpus, but the essential starting place for the next generation of scholars."--Albion"Ingle tells his story sensibly and responsibly, making careful use of Fox'sJournaland the other (happily plentiful) Quaker sources...Valuable in reminding us of the most important dimension of the history of the seventeenth century, which was the searing intensity of its religious beliefs."--NewRepublic"A valuable book that fills a long-felt need...A biography of Fox that is respectful and thorough but not overly reverential or hagiographical."--Sixteenth Century Journal"Larry Ingle'sFirst Among Friendsis a landmark work of Quaker history. Anyone who seeks to understand the origins and essence of the Society of Friends could do no better than to read it. Certainly every Friends' meeting should own it, and every Friend should read it. The book's scholarship is pioneering, its style solicitous, and its insights into the tumultuous, history-making life of George Fox are numerous and eye-opening. This benchmark work secures Larry Ingle's stature as the leading American historian of Quakerism."--Charles Fager,Quaker author and editor of "A FriendlyLetter"This book is, quite rightly, far from being hostile. But in it a historian who seems to be a Quaker himself takes a fresh look at all surviving evidence, provides a comprehensive assembly of scholarly research and discussion, and offers conclusions which are objective."--Church Times