If you’re looking for a short biography, one book that I want to recommend is Piper’s succinct treatment of William Wilberforce, Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce.

Two things about Wilberforce stand out in Piper’s book. First, his endurance. Wilberforce worked hard to change hearts and minds in order to see the slave trade abolished, and it doesn’t seem like he ever thought about giving up. Once he saw how terrible it was, there was no way he was going to ignore it. The abolition of the slave trade became his calling. Piper writes about the “roots” of his endurance. How could he keep going in the face of tough opposition and repeated defeat? I found Piper’s explanation behind Wilberforce’s strength inspiring and motivating because I know that the same grace is offered to me. My roots can (and need to) dig deep as well.

Second, his joy. Piper shares Wilberforce’s attitude toward God and the joy he had in his relationship with God. One might expect a man who had his life threatened, who lived with physical pain and discomfort, and whose calling involved defeat year after year, to be melancholy, to feel dejected, to despair, to resort to selfishness. I’m sure he had his moments, as we all do, but Wilberforce took seriously God’s command to serve with gladness and to rejoice always. Piper quotes Wilberforce’s own, A Practical View of Christianity, “We can scarcely indeed look into any part of the sacred volume without meeting abundant proofs, that it is the religion of the Affections which God particularly requires…Joy…is enjoined on us as our bounden duty and commended to us as our acceptable worship….A cold…unfeeling heart is represented as highly criminal.” Piper shares quotes from Wilberforce’s contemporaries that his joy was infectious, he livened every situation, and nothing was dull to him.

Just an editorial note: Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have men like William Wilberforce serving in government today?!

Though it is short, I think Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce is a good starting place for someone wanting to know more about the man and his life. Piper credits his sources, so one can use the bibliography to learn more. And right now, it’s only $3.20 from WTS Books. Take a few minutes to peruse their site–there are lots of great books on sale this month and UPS shipping is always $5.