Roger Williams: Prophet of Liberty (Oxford Portraits)
Grade 9 Up-In this fast-paced account, Gaustad recounts Williams's  life and identifies his contribution to the concept of religious  liberty. His lively prose never transgresses scholarly limits,  but makes the most of the few biographical details available.  Readers will be engaged by a sense of Williams's personality; he  was stubborn, restless, forceful, but a man of integrity and  conviction. Following an overview of the life and theology of  his subject, Gaustad then focuses on the man's dealings with the  Indians, notably his farsighted views on their rights to their  own land; his struggles to establish civil governance in Rhode  Island; and his upholding of the cause of religious liberty-a  radical stance in his day. The final chapter provides a lucid  explanation of Williams's influence on such figures as John  Locke, James Madison, and later historians and political  thinkers. The author makes excellent use of primary-source  excerpts and includes a chronology and annotated list for  further reading (but no notes). Black-and-white photographs of  sites and reproductions of artwork, documents, and maps  illustrate the book. This accessible volume is well suited to  reading as a biography or to use as a reference on specific  topics.Patricia Lothrop-Green, St. George's School, Newport, RICopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.