An illuminating portrait of the nation's earliest―and most passionate―advocate for the total separation of church and state. A classic of its kind; Edmund S. Morgan's Roger Williams skillfully depicts the intellectual life of the man who; after his expulsion in 1635 from the Massachusetts Bay Colony; founded what would become Rhode Island. As Morgan re-creates the evolution of Williams's thoughts on the nature of the church and the state; he captures with characteristic economy and precision the institutions that informed Williams's worldview; from the Protestant church in England to the Massachusetts government in the seventeenth century. In doing so; Morgan reveals the origins of a perennial―and heated―American debate; told through the ideas of one of the most brilliant polemicists on the subject; a man whose mind; as Morgan describes; "drove him to examine accepted ideas and carry them to unacceptable conclusions." Forty years after its first publication; Roger Williams remains essential reading for anyone interested in the church; the state; and the right relation of the two.
#476633 in Books Jane Kamensky 2016-10-04 2016-10-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.70 x 6.80l; .0 #File Name: 0393240010544 pagesA Revolution in Color The World of John Singleton Copley
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Tedious and protractedBy Art LoverThis book is written in a style that I can only describe as affected; gossipy; and long-winded. Ms. Kamensky begins a sentence in modern English only to make her point by finishing with a direct quote from an 18th century source. She uses this technique throughout the book - excessively in some parts; and those parts are best skimmed. The blending of two forms of English results in a presentation that is mannered and verbose; detracting from an otherwise fascinating period in American history and artistic development - not to mention one's reading pleasure. The prose and tempo improve somewhat after American independence; as if the author; too; were liberated.Other books have been written about Copley that might afford a deeper appreciation for his art; such as James Flexner's "John Singleton Copley."For an engaging account of this period in Boston history; Esther Forbes's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Paul Revere and the World He Lived In" is a classic. Better yet; go on a Boston By Foot tour.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A sympathetic portrait (no pun intended)By Carl E. Johnson Jr.Jane Kamesky's well-written biography of the "American" painter John Singleton Copley nicely weaves political and social history with biographical facts that are available; putting the artist in the context of his time; particularly the period we call the American Revolution; and its immediate aftermath. That reminds me of Kamensky's effort to explain the various threads pulled together by the title. She didn't do it for me; but no matter. I expect one of the publisher's marketing gurus came up with the title. Copley was obviously a talented painter; but he was not so good on the personal relations side and he was a terrible businessman -- those two failings hurt him a lot. During his time he was recognized as a prominent painter; but not; sufficiently; to his satisfaction. Better recognition came after his death. There are other books that cover Copley's life (including the recently published "Of Arms and Artists;" by Paul Staiti); but I do not hesitate to recommend this book for anyone interested in early American art history. (I also highly recommend the Staiti book; which is about Copley and other American Revolutionary war era artists.)1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. John Singleton Copley from the vantage points of biography; history; and art.By Ronald H. ClarkThis is just a wonderful book well deserving of its many plaudits. In one book; the reader benefits from a combined biographical; historical; and artistic examination of the famous early American artist John Singleton Copley (1738-1815). Because Copley fled to Europe and Britain shortly before the Declaration of Independence; the book maintains a helpful dual focus. The reader learns about Copley's successful struggle to become an important colonial artist; as well as his later massive success in London as an established giant figure much like his fellow American compatriot Benjamin West. In order to explain all this; the author educates the reader about the primitive state of American art and painting prior to the revolution; where supplies were scarce and customers even more so. One learned if he were lucky like Copley from established artists; such as his stepfather; since there was no artistic community supporting training institutions. Ah; but London was heaven; as the author explains; the central point for a vast and fervid community interested in painting (and engravings) and willing to support it. Copley spends the rest of his life in London; having fled the tumultuous conditions in Boston just before the outbreak of the Revolution. He ascends to the top of the London painters; but in his final years slips back down into insolvency and the waning of his artistic skills. So this is superior biography written by a master historian--but it is so much more.For one thing; the book also is an outstanding history of Copley and his times. Living in Boston for the period just prior to the revolution; the book focuses upon how the revolutionary spirit spread; the British harshness toward the colonies; and the toll it took on individuals such as Copley whose father-in-law was a prominent and wealthy tea merchant. Copley literally had to flee to escape all the abuse and threats his family faced. The reader really gets a sense of the dangerous chaos that afflicted Boston during this period. It is a side of the revolution that we seldom read about in the history books; but one that is essential to understanding what was occurring.The third facet of the book; the artistic; was the one I was least familiar with. Have no concerns that this is a treatise on pictures; though the author does discuss a number of Copley's major works; or an art tutorial. Rather; art is the background for all that is happening to Copley; and the author supplies the setting that helps the reader understand the artistic dimensions of Copley's life. I was particularly interested as the author explained that during this period; a prospective colonial artist had to go to Europe; and especially Italy; to complete his preparation. A number of Copley's paintings are discussed in the course of detailing his biography. Many pictures are reproduced in black and white and place right into the narrative; there is also an extensive full color section with magnificent reproductions of some key paintings that well illustrate his mastery of color. I happen to love Copley's paintings; including his early American efforts; so learning about his work was a great bonus of enjoyment for me.So the triple focus of the book greatly enhances its impact. An author who has mastered this approach; and successfully integrated all the threads into one effective narrative; is to be commended as this Harvard historian has been. The amount of research reflected in the text and the 89 pages of notes bespeak of an excellent command of the material. And of great importance is the fact that the author writes beautifully; inviting the reader to come in and share much of what she knows about Copley; his life; travails and artistic contributions. Just a more than first-class effort by Professor Jane Kamensky; who has pulled off this difficult challenge with unbelievable skill and dedication.
