Iain Murray has performed a real service to the people of God in this new book which traces the history of revival in America from the time of Samuel Davies in the mid-1700's to the New York Revival of 1858. He carefully presents the biblical and historical distinction between revival, in which God moves unexpectedly to pour new spiritual life into His people, and revivalism, in which men manipulate circumstances to produce a desired, but superficial, effect. This history of revival in America focuses on events leading to the Second Great Awakening between 1800 and 1820 and the beginnings of defective revivalistic techniques during that era. Charles Finney appears as a spokesman for revivalism and Arminian perspectives, and the stage is set for the rapid demise of scripturally based church life in America.