Spurgeon, a New Biography

It was to be expected that Dr. Arnold Dallimore (1911-1998), author of the two-volume Life of George Whitefield and more recently The Life of Edward Irving, would provide us with a book about Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892). In 1962, the Autobiography of Spurgeon, originally in four volumes, was republished, considerably reorganized and reduced to two volumes; but, even so, the autobiography is too long to serve as an introduction to Spurgeon's person for the general public. Dr. Dallimore, therefore (using these two volumes and other reliable sources), offers us a much more concise narrative of the preacher's life, while attempting to "understand and present something of the inner reality of the man: his prayer life, his sufferings and depressions, his weaknesses and strengths, his triumphs, his humor, his joys, and his incredible achievements."

It is no easy task to describe "a personality as imposing" as Spurgeon's in a short volume; but here, in 368 pages, it has been achieved: and very gracefully. This book will satisfy the need of those who are completely unaware of who Spurgeon was and what his tremendous achievements were; but it will also stimulate the interest of all those who appreciate his unique ministry, which yields sixty-two volumes of "immortal" sermons and many other publications of enormous value.