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Brendan (History Nerds United)'s Reviews > The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher
The Most Famous Man in America: The Biography of Henry Ward Beecher
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Who the heck was Henry Ward Beecher and is this book title a joke? Thankfully, Debby Applegate is here to explain.
Henry Ward Beecher was the son of a very famous preacher whose offspring are a who’s who of 1800s America. I’m not even including Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote one of the most important American novels ever. There were also abolitionists, women’s right advocates, other preachers, and businessmen in the family.
Henry Ward Beecher started out as the black sheep. He didn’t align well with the fire and brimstone view of Christianity and focused on God’s love rather than his wrath. It made him many enemies, but also made him one of the most famous people around. The tabloid frenzy he caused later in life helped, too. But no spoilers.
Debby Applegate won the Pulitzer Prize for this book and it’s very clear why. She dives deep into Beecher’s life, and you feel like a fly on the wall through the whole thing. It’s a long book which never feels slow (my favorite!).
Henry Ward Beecher was the son of a very famous preacher whose offspring are a who’s who of 1800s America. I’m not even including Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote one of the most important American novels ever. There were also abolitionists, women’s right advocates, other preachers, and businessmen in the family.
Henry Ward Beecher started out as the black sheep. He didn’t align well with the fire and brimstone view of Christianity and focused on God’s love rather than his wrath. It made him many enemies, but also made him one of the most famous people around. The tabloid frenzy he caused later in life helped, too. But no spoilers.
Debby Applegate won the Pulitzer Prize for this book and it’s very clear why. She dives deep into Beecher’s life, and you feel like a fly on the wall through the whole thing. It’s a long book which never feels slow (my favorite!).
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The Most Famous Man in America.
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Reading Progress
March 1, 2022
–
Started Reading
March 1, 2022
– Shelved
March 6, 2022
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Finished Reading
