The Salvation Army: 150 Years of Blood and Fire

The Salvation Army, founded in 1865 in London's East End, has expanded to towns and cities across Britain. Despite facing persecution for their religious beliefs, they have made a unique contribution to changing social thinking about poverty. This book aims to provide a history of the organization for the general reader, revealing how it raises fundamental questions about power, class, gender, and race in modern society. It also uses pictures illustrative of the Army's history gathered from around the world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

In 1865, the Salvation Army was born in the impoverished and desolate East End of London. Today, the Army is present in towns and cities across Britain, easily identifiable by their military uniforms and their well-known reputation for doing good deeds. However, many people are unaware of the origins and subsequent development of this organization. Salvationists have faced imprisonment, beatings, and ridicule from the press for their religious beliefs. Despite such persecution, the Army implemented a program of assistance for the impoverished and marginalized that had a profound impact on social attitudes towards poverty.

There have been very few attempts to write a comprehensive and accessible account that places the Army in its historical context. This is somewhat surprising, considering the Salvation Army's unique contribution to the changing social, cultural, and religious landscape of Britain. The Salvation Army: 150 years of Blood and Fire is intended to provide a history of the organization for the general reader and is suitable for anyone interested in the interplay of people, ideas, and events. The book explores how the Salvation Army's story raises fundamental questions about power, class, gender, and race in modern society, issues that are as relevant today as they were in Victorian Britain.

The book also makes extensive use of photographs that illustrate the Army's history, many of which have never been published before. These images provide a visual glimpse into the organization's past and contribute to a deeper understanding of its significance.

In conclusion, The Salvation Army: 150 years of Blood and Fire is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of this organization. It provides a comprehensive and accessible account of the Army's origins, development, and impact on society. Through its exploration of fundamental social issues, the book offers insights into the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing modern Britain.

Weight: 682g
Dimension: 241 x 164 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399098229