What gave Christopher Columbus the confidence in 1492 to set out across the Atlantic Ocean? What persuaded the king and queen of Spain to commission the voyage? It would be convenient to believe that Columbus and his men were uniquely courageous. A more reasonable explanation; however; is that Columbus was heir to a body of knowledge about seas and ships acquired at great cost over many centuries. Fish on Friday tells a new story of the discovery of America. In Brian Fagan's view; that discovery is the product of the long sweep of history: the spread of Christianity and the radical cultural changes it brought to Europe; the interaction of economic necessity with a changing climate; and generations of unknown fishermen who explored the North Atlantic in the centuries before Columbus. The Church's tradition of not eating meats on holy days created a vast market for fish that could not be fully satisfied by fish farms; better boats; or new preservation techniques. Then; when climate change in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries diminished fish stocks off Norway and Iceland; fishermen were forced to range ever farther to the west-eventually discovering incredibly rich shoals within sight of the Nova Scotia coast. In Ireland in 1490; Columbus could well have heard about this unknown land. The rest is history.
#925167 in Books Basic Books 2010-10-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.06 x 6.13l; 1.15 #File Name: 0465002358304 pagesGreat product!
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very Informative Account Of Religon And The American RevolutionBy the1911patriotI am a Christian; American Patriot; self-published author; and amateur student of the American Revolution. I purchased this book to further my understanding of the faith of America's founders. This book was packed full of information. The author covers all denominations in Colonial America. Readers will learn of Calvinism; the Puritans; the established churches of many of the 13 colonies; the Great Awakening; persecution of religious dissenters; and evangelical Christianity during the American evolution. I am an conservative; historic Baptist personally and I had previously read the late Baptist pastor James Beller's "America in Crimson Red" which has a few chapters on Baptists and the American Revolution; I purchased "God of Liberty" to read an entire book on the religious climate of the American Revolution. I especially enjoyed the material on Jefferson and religious liberty/civil liberty/the election of 1800. There are also some humorous stories-including one early 1800s pastor (Elias Smith) who proclaimed Thomas Jefferson to be the "sixth angel of the apocalypse" prophesied of in the book of Revelation! Overall; this is a very good book for individuals interested in the subject matter.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Valuable InsightsBy GregGod of Liberty provides a valuable perspective on important historical concepts. Kidd is perhaps at his best in discussing equality by creation and the various ways in which the idea played out in the American Revolutionary period and thereafter. Also; Kidd is able to show the historical importance of the belief that just as all are created equal; all are equally fallen and in need of God's grace. While he may be fairly said to write from an evangelical perspective; Kidd is also able to provide ample evidence of our fallen humanity in the unjust actions of the faithful; such as using providential rhetoric to justify torching the property of Indians.While God of Liberty has many valuable insights; my sense is that it could benefit from being narrower in scope. Given its scope; it's not quite comprehensive enough in some areas. To point out an example; missing from the discussion of Puritan conversion theology is the perspective of Edmund S. Morgan's study Visible Saints. A dominant belief within Puritanism was that saving faith was experienced; but it was less a transaction than something received; and its reception had to follow a clear progression that one could give a verbal narrative of at times as a condition for either joining the church; being baptized; or being able to receive the Lord's Supper. Further; the process of receiving saving faith could take years and one could desire to receive it; and not receive it.All told though; God of Liberty provides many valuable historical insights and is written in a clear and accessible style. It's a worthwhile read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It is helpful to get a popular scholarly book on ...By Ferrell FosterIt is helpful to get a popular scholarly book on religion's role in the U.S. revolutionary period (and some beyond). It can help correct both secular fear of talking about the role of religion in the shaping of our nation and right-wing hyperbole about the U.S. being a "Christian nation." Dr. Kidd makes clear the importance of evangelical Christianity in shaping our nation; but he also makes clear that some Christians and others worked together to make this a non-sectarian nation.
