John Wesley: A Brand From The Burning

John Wesley led the Second English Reformation. His Methodist 'Connexion' was divided from the Church of England, not by dogma and doctrine but by the new relationship which it created between clergy and people. Throughout a life tortured by doubt about true faith and tormented by a series of bizarre relationships with women, Wesley kept his promise to 'live and die an ordained priest of the Established Church'. However by the end of the long pilgrimage - from the Oxford Holy Club through colonial Georgia to every market place in England - he knew that separation was inevitable. But he could not have realised that his influence on the new industrial working class would play a major part in shaping society during the century of Britain's greatest power and influence and that Methodism would become a worldwide religion and the inspiration of 20th century television evangelism.

Short-listed for Marsh Biography Award 2003

“This is a first-class biography, lucid and always interesting... Hattersley asks all the right questions and seems incapable of writing a dull page. - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAYRoy Hattersley has written a full and fair biography. - NEW STATESMANHe can fashion an anecdote out of even the dreariest theological dispute. Indeed, a gossipy politician is the right man for the job. - MAIL ON SUNDAYAn intellectually and theologically compelling portrait - SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY”

This is a first-class biography, lucid and always interesting... Hattersley asks all the right questions and seems incapable of writing a dull page. - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

Roy Hattersley has written a full and fair biography. - NEW STATESMAN

He can fashion an anecdote out of even the dreariest theological dispute. Indeed, a gossipy politician is the right man for the job. - MAIL ON SUNDAY

An intellectually and theologically compelling portrait - SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

Roy Hattersley is a politician-turned-writer. He was elected to Parliament in 1964, and served in each of Harold Wilson's governments as well as Jim Callaghan's Cabinet before becoming deputy leader of the Labour Party in 1983. He is the author of fourteen books.

John Wesley led the Second English Reformation. His Methodist 'Connexion' was divided from the Church of England, not by dogma and doctrine but by the new relationship which it created between clergy and people. Throughout a life tortured by doubt about true faith and tormented by a series of bizarre relationships with women, Wesley kept his promise to 'live and die an ordained priest of the Established Church'. However by the end of the long pilgrimage - from the Oxford Holy Club through colonial Georgia to every market place in England - he knew that separation was inevitable. But he could not have realised that his influence on the new industrial working class would play a major part in shaping society during the century of Britain's greatest power and influence and that Methodism would become a worldwide religion and the inspiration of 20th century television evangelism.

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