From Booklist
The tricentenary of the birth of Methodism's founder could bring no finer introduction to his life and work than Tomkins' synthetic biography. Drawing upon the best previous biographies, Wesley's letters and published journal, and the writings of Wesley's closest associates, Tomkins presents a keenly engaging portrait of a great man full of contradictoriness. Wesley (1703-91) insisted he was loyal to the Church of England yet consented to his followers setting up establishments and engaging in practices that flouted Anglican authority. Perhaps he just didn't see himself as a leader, in which case it is odd that Methodism was legally a sole proprietorship for most of his life; there were frequent general conferences, but Wesley held the purse strings and organizational reins. He was no hypocrite, especially about money; he allowed himself only the meagerest of livings, giving the rest of what became substantial earnings to evangelism and the poor, and preaching to the end against wealth. His steadfastness against riches stands in stark contrast, however, to his stance about marriage, which vacillated between affirming celibacy and approving conjugality. Of course, his relations with women and his late marriage were fraught with ambivalence and misunderstanding. For all of his Janus-like behavior, he altered the face of Christianity in the West by inspiring modern evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. A fascinating figure, fascinatingly limned. Ray Olson
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Book Description
The life and work of John Wesley (1703–1791) have had an enormous influence on modern Christianity, including his role as founding father of the Methodists, now 33 million strong worldwide. In this lively new biography journalist Stephen Tomkins narrates the story of Wesley's colorful and dramatic life for a new generation. Writing with verve and a light, sure touch, Tomkins follows Wesley from his childhood at Epworth rectory through his schooling and university career at Oxford to his mission to Georgia, his "conversion" in 1738, and finally his life as a religious leader in England. Preaching in numerous villages, towns, and cities, Wesley and his followers faced intense and savage persecution, but their missions were also accompanied by extraordinary phenomena such as convulsions, laughter, and healings. In the course of his compelling narrative Tomkins examines Wesley's relationships with key people in his life, including his powerful and austere mother, Susanna, and his hymn-writing brother, Charles. Tomkins also explores key issues in Wesley's life, such as his renunciation of wealth and his attitude toward women, concluding with an assessment of Wesley's ongoing influence both in his own country and abroad. Superbly crafted, grounded in thorough research, and published in the 300th year of Wesley's birth, this book will appeal to students of Wesley, people from the Methodist tradition, and general readers interested in church history.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The life and work of John Wesley (1703-1791) have had an enormous influence on modern Christianity, including his role as founding father of the Methodists, now 33 million strong worldwide. In this lively biography journalist Stephen Tomkins narrates the story of Wesley's colorful and dramatic life for a new generation.

Tomkins follows Wesley from his childhood at Epworth rectory through his schooling and university career at Oxford to his mission to Georgia, his "conversion" in 1738, and finally his life as a religious leader in England. Preaching in numerous villages, towns, and cities, Wesley and his followers faced intense and savage persecution, but their missions were also accompanied by extraordinary phenomena such as convulsions, laughter, and healings. In the course of his compelling narrative Tomkins examines Wesley's relationships with key people in his life, including his powerful and austere mother, Susanna, and his hymn-writing brother, Charles. Tomkins also explores key issues in Wesley's life, such as his renunciation of wealth and his attitude toward women, concluding with an assessment of Wesley's ongoing influence both in his own country and abroad.

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