The People's Preacher: C H Spurgeon
by Peter Morden
Spurgeon was a colossus in all senses of the word - a big man, with a big personality and a preaching sensation to boot But he was complex too - afflicted with physical and mental ill-health. So he's a great and fascinating subject for a biography.
Peter Morden nearly rises to the task. This is certainly no heavyweight historical book, but it isn't intended to be. It is a beautifully put together account - popular and accessible. It sketches the main events of Spurgeon's life and gives some fascinating insights into the great man's prayer-life and his writing.
The problem comes with the writing style. It isn't drab, but it is slightly flat on the page and could do with being injected with some of the passion that Spurgeon brought to his life's work. The book is really at its best when it describes Spurgeon's inner life, his afflictions, his fall and rise...but I think we are still waiting for the book that really imaginatively enters this amazing man's life. For the time-being we have this book and good it certainly is, although I was left time and again wanting to know more, to be surprised more often. It is certainly a good place to start exploring the life of Spurgeon.
3 stars out of 5
Reviewed by Steve Morris
Purchase at CWR Books
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