In a new addition to the body of works dealing with the abolitionist movement in 18th century Britain, Once Blind: The Life of John Newton is marked with gritty sin, slavery, God’s grace, redemption, and abolition. Following the film Amazing Grace and print biographies covering the life of William Wilberforce, Once Blind reveals the life of another key character in the movement to end slavery, John Newton. Famous for penning the hymn "Amazing Grace", we are now introduced to his life as a sinner, conversion to a saint, and his subsequent efforts to abolish slavery. Kay Marshall Strom draws on Newton’s own letters and her own previous work exploring his life -- John Newton: The Angry Sailor, a biography written for pre-teens -- to present us with a cohesive, highly readable and moving story of this man’s life.

Strom introduces us to Newton as a young boy, already serving on the deck of his father’s ship. A sensitive boy, unable to earn his father’s approval, he quickly slides down into a life of sullenness, disobedience, rebellion, and rowdy behaviour. Strom fully develops the character of Newton as a young man - surly, blasphemous, an enemy of God, and of nearly everyone else who knows him. Strom is able to portray Newton’s indulgence in swearing and blasphemy by utilizing asterisks, dollar signs and other symbols throughout his conversations, without actually inserting the curse words. She is able to thoroughly depict the extent of Newton’s sin without divulging needlessly graphic details.

Due to his difficult nature and unhidden disdain for authority, Newton is transferred from ship to ship throughout his career. He serves for a time on a navy ship through enforced service during wartime (kidnapped at the docks). Readers of naval fiction will enjoy the authentic descriptions of life aboard a navy vessel, both from the lowly position of common seaman, and privileged position of midshipman. As we watch Newton descend into the darkest depths of his sin, some of the scenes we encounter are nightmarish, and nearly unbelievable, particularly after he leaves the navy. Some seem so far from our day-to-day experiences that they seem almost hallucinatory in nature.