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SALT LAKE CITY -- In their book "The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World," Chris Stewart and Ted Stewart investigate how unusual the blessing of freedom really is in the modern world, while also making the argument that freedom -- as Americans know it -- is extremely rare throughout the course of history.
The authors also ask the question of whether or not America -- and therefore freedom -- would have been established without specific events in history occurring.
Right from the beginning of the book, the authors make the argument that less than five percent of the people who have ever lived on Earth have experienced what modern-day people would consider “free” conditions.
"A deeper look at the human record reveals a series of critical events, obvious forks in the road leading to very different outcomes that resulted in this extraordinary period in which we live," write the authors in regard to modern-day freedoms.
The authors point out that the seven events contained in the book were not the only reasons that freedom exists today and also that freedom was not something that was assured to people at any time. Rather, the authors point out that freedom took thousands of years to establish and realize.
Writing from a chronological point of view rather than a ranking of importance, each event is described in great detail through a spectacular blend of historical fiction and pure historical narrative.
Beginning with the Assyrians assault on the kingdom of Judah (circa 701 B.C.) and ending with The Battle of Britain during World War II, each event is covered in-depth in its own chapter. The authors give information leading up to the event, as well as important things that followed, allowing readers to view the historical event in a much different context than if they were reading just one small portion of history.
At the conclusion of each chapter is often a section that asks critical questions about what might have happened if history hadn’t occurred the way it did. These questions cause the reader to consider how different the world might be if even one small aspect of history had been changed.
The Seven Tipping Points according to Stewart and Stewart are:
- The defeat of the Assyrians in their quest to destroy the kingdom of Judah
- The victory of the Greeks over the Persians at Thermopylae and Salamis
- Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity
- The defeat of the armies of Islam at Poitiers
- The failure of the Mongols in their effort to conquer Europe
- The discovery of the New World
- The Battle of Britain in World War II
When viewed as a compilation, these seven accounts in the book show how many things had to fall into place for freedom to occur.
“The rarity of freedom is matched only by its fragility,” the authors wrote. “And while it is impossible to know the future, this one thing is certain: If we do not appreciate the delicate nature of those singular events that resulted in this enlightened and blessed sliver of world history, it is much more likely that the norm of tyranny will be reestablished.”
While most authors wouldn’t attempt to combine fiction with historical narrative and information normally found in textbooks, the authors do so flawlessly in this book. “The Miracle of Freedom: 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World” is exceptionally well-written and keeps the reader engrossed in the information being provided, while also gently leading the reader to imagine a different world than what we currently have in here in America.
A must-read for history buffs and casual observers of history alike, “The Miracle of Freedom” gives light to how the modern- world was shaped. With Stewart and Stewart in control of where the book goes, combined with superb writing, the book effortlessly makes the point that freedom is fleeting and should be cherished because not many people get to enjoy the benefits of being free.
Landon Walters is a history and political science major currently studying at Salt Lake Community College and is an avid sports fan. He can be reached at mavericksoccer_22@hotmail.com.
