Most Christians know John Newton as a man who once captained aslave ship, was dramatically converted to Christ on the high seas,and later penned one of the greatest hymns of the faith, "AmazingGrace." But he also had a huge impact on his times as an icon ofthe evangelical movement, as a great preacher and theologian, andas a seminal influence on abolitionist William Wilberforce.Newton's friendship with Wilberforce is portrayed in the majormotion picture Amazing Grace.

Jonathan Aitken's new biography John Newton explores all thesefacets of Newton's life and character. It is the first biography todraw on Newton's unpublished diaries and correspondence, providingfresh insight into the life of this complex and memorableChristian. The result is a fascinating, colorful, and historicallysignificant portrait of John Newton, a self-described "greatsinner" redeemed by a great Savior through amazing grace.