BOOK REVIEW: An interesting book with an exaggerated premise …

I fell in love with learning in the third grade by studying the history of the American southwest. Ever since then, I have always enjoyed studying and reading about most history subjects, and that includes Randy Petersen’s new book, “The Printer and the Preacher” (published by Nelson Books).

Let me clarify something though: I enjoyed Petersen’s book because I enjoy history, but the premise of the book I found to be somewhat exaggerated.

The book contains history because it explores the lives and friendship of Benjamin Franklin (the “printer”) and George Whitefield (the “preacher”). It’s the sub-title of the book that contains the exaggerated premise — “Ben Franklin, George Whitefield, and the surprising friendship that invented America.”

A friendship that “invented” America?

First, Petersen does spend the entire book weaving us through the lives of these men and documenting that they did, indeed, have some level of friendship that extended beyond their professional or business dealings with one another. But often in his descriptions of their friendship, Petersen uses words like “maybe they,” or “it could have been,” or “possibly,” words that reveal that based on letters between these two men, and other information, we know they had a friendship, but Petersen may through his guessing have exaggerated what the actual level of that friendship was.

Was it a friendship that “invented” America”? I think that’s a grand exaggeration. History can show us that it would be hard to overstate the influence that Whitefield had on America as God used him during the “Great Awakening,” and Franklin’s publishing prowess fed Whitefield’s rise to fame. The sales of Whitefield’s books and other materials published by Franklin helped Ben prosper financially, which enabled him to do all he did for our nation.

But was it this single friendship that “invented” America?

I don’t think so. It was, though, a friendship that led these two men to become two of the most influential “forefathers” of America and their lives and work had a direct and dramatic impact on that culture.

As Petersen takes us from the birth of both men to the end of their lives, he writes in a light and easy story-telling manner that avoids making delving into history a wooden and otherwise strenuous labor. Because he is chronicling the lives of two men, Petersen presents their stories more as a survey of their lives than an in-depth biographical exploration of both men.

If you enjoy history, you’ll likely enjoy “The Printer and the Preacher,” even if the premise of the book is exaggerated.

Scotty

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”