FRANCONIA, N.H., July 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- We know what Roger Williams did and said as the foremost advocate of religious freedom in 17th century America, but how did he get there emotionally and spiritually during his formative years in England? The new book "Furnace," written by author Richard Burwell, explores Roger's growth from the boy who witnessed the burning of an unrepentant dissenter at the stake to manhood at odds with an intolerant and stultified Church of England.
Roger is almost cast out of his house by a father unwilling to accept his views of God's justice, but he is subsequently befriended by the great jurist, Lord Coke, whose patronage enables him to attend Cambridge University. But Roger's undisguised expressions of dissent come to the attention of the bishop, and he is forced to step out of the limelight by accepting a chaplaincy with an aristocratic family on a country estate outside London where his views will hardly cause a stir.
Here he comes under the spell of a beautiful young woman whom he cannot marry. At the climax of his despair a household companion enters his life and persuades him to utter his cry for "Soul Liberty" in a distant land. As man and wife they set sail to a world where they can seek God unhindered by narrow orthodoxies.
Richly-layered and brilliantly-written, Furnace delivers to its readers an in-depth look at 17th century London in the toes of religious controversy. One of the most significant points of this book is Roger Williams' embrace of the historic truth that religion and state must be kept separate to benefit mankind, which is still a tested issue in America today. For your reading pleasure, be sure to order a copy of Richard Burwell's Furnace by visiting Xlibris.com, Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com or by visiting your local bookstore today!
About the Author
Ever since I can remember, says Burwell, I have been a writer. As a boy I devised balloons in comic strips with my artist cousin. I wrote plays for a community group near my parents' summer home in New Hampshire. In the Army, I served as a propaganda writer for Psychological Warfare in Tokyo. My scripts were broadcast to Korea, China and Okinawa. Back in civilian life after trudging through India and the Middle East with my army buddy, I was hired as a staff radio news writer for ABC in New York. This wasn't quite what I was looking for, so I got a doctorate in theater from Yale and went on to teach at Quinnipiac University, a place I came to love. I directed plays there and wrote others with varying degrees of success. I took the big leap and retired to write the book I want you to read. It has taken many years to research and get right. Roger Williams is a fascinating person. I think you will find him worth knowing.
Furnace * by Richard Burwell ROGER WILLIAMS IN ENGLAND Publication Date: June 16, 2006 Trade Paperback; $24.99; 481 pages; 1-4257-1111-1 Cloth Hardback; $34.99; 481 pages; 1-4257-1112-X
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