An outstanding biography, scholarly, yet popularly written, of the leading preacher of the eighteenth-century evangelical revival. Whitefield (1714-70) is acknowledged to have made a greater impact on evangelical Christianity on both sides of the Atlantic than any other preacher of the eighteenth century. The first volume traces the early career of Whitefield to the end of 1740, at which point the twenty-six-year-old was already the most brilliant & popular preacher of the time & had already, at age 24, commanded the largest congregations yet seen in America. The second volume traces the doctrinal conflict with John and Charles Wesley, Whitefield's visits to Scotland & Wales, as well as the American colonies & the emergence of a Calvinistic branch of Methodism. Also provided are details of Whitefield's marriage, friendships, ceaseless labours & early death aged 55. The two-volume set casts new light on Whitefield's early life in Gloucester, religious conditions in England at the commencement of his preaching ministry, his influence on the Great Awakening of 1739-40 in America, his relationships with the Wesleys, his philanthropic endeavours & his impact on all classes of English society including the aristocracy.