Russell M. Lawson – författare

This is a true story of discovery and discoverers in what was the northern frontier region of Mexico in the years before the Mexican War. In 1826, when the story begins, the region was claimed by both Mexico and the United States. Neither country knew much about the lands crossed by such rivers as the Guadalupe, Brazos, Nueces, Trinity, and Rio Grande. Jean Louis Berlandier, a French naturalist, was part of a team sent out by the Mexican Boundary Commission to explore the area. His role was to collect specimens of flora and fauna and to record detailed observations of the landscapes and peoples through which the exploring party traveled. His observations, including sketches and paintings of plants, landmarks, and American Indians, were the first compendium of scientific observations of the region to be collected and eventually published.

Here, historian Russell Lawson tells the story of this multinational expedition, using Berlandier’s copious records as a way of conveying his view of the natural environment. Lawson’s narrative allows us to peer over Berlandier’s shoulder as he traveled and recorded his experiences. Berlandier and Lawson show us an America that no longer exists.

Originally published in 2011, this volume publishes the letters of Jeremy Belknap and Ebenezer Hazard. The letters encompassed twenty years, from 1779 to 1798, during a time when the United States was warring against England, establishing new governments, building a national identity, exploring the hinterland, and refining an American identity in prose and verse. The letters of Hazard and Belknap tell of an age when science and religion had not yet divorced due to irreconcilable differences, when the most profound philosophy nestled comfortably next to a childlike fascination with the remarkable. The two friends explored in their epistles the nature of love, death, and piety; the best way for humans to govern themselves; matters of religious and scientific truth and the best means to arrive at it; the methods and writing of history; human credulity; and the wonders of nature.

Originally published in 2011, this volume publishes the letters of Jeremy Belknap and Ebenezer Hazard. The letters encompassed twenty years, from 1779 to 1798, during a time when the United States was warring against England, establishing new governments, building a national identity, exploring the hinterland, and refining an American identity in prose and verse. The letters of Hazard and Belknap tell of an age when science and religion had not yet divorced due to irreconcilable differences, when the most profound philosophy nestled comfortably next to a childlike fascination with the remarkable. The two friends explored in their epistles the nature of love, death, and piety; the best way for humans to govern themselves; matters of religious and scientific truth and the best means to arrive at it; the methods and writing of history; human credulity; and the wonders of nature.

Naturalist, scientist, pastor, missionary - Daniel Little.  In 18th century America, Daniel Little became known as the "Apostle of the East" by his contemporaries and admirers for his many missionary journeys along Maine's eastern frontier.  He spent much of his life ministering to the English settlers and Indians of the Penobscot valley.  Follow his fascinating life story in Russell Lawson's latest book.

This book is the culmination of many years spent addressing two questions: Why did Christ come when He did? And what happened as a result? The first question has exercised the minds of countless theologians, philosophers, and historians, those who assume through faith that the Son of God could determine whence He appeared among humans. Why during the Roman Empire? Why during the reign of Herod the Great or his successor Herod Archelaus? Why not centuries earlier, or centuries later? Why at this particular time, two thousand years ago?

Such answers as have been proposed—that He arrived as the Messiah to fulfill God's promise to the Jews; that He arrived when the Pax Romana provided the stability and continuity necessary for the spread of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean region; that He arrived when humans needed Him most—are sufficient, if not wholly satisfactory, answers to the question.

One way to approach the question, Why did Christ come when He did?, is to ask the corollary, And what happened as a result?, which provides a host of new possibilities. He came to establish the Church; He came to replace the Old Testament Law, the old covenant, with a new covenant; He came to inaugurate the Great Commission, to spread His Word throughout the world; He came to save the world; He inaugurated the greatest revolution in thought, culture, and society, the world has ever seen before and since. Which one is true? What is the answer?

About the Author

Russell M. Lawson was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His first intellectual interest was in ancient Greek mythology, which led to a lifelong fascination with the history of the ancient Mediterranean. He matriculated at Oklahoma State University from 1975 to 1979, majoring in history. From 1980 to 1982, he studied at OSU for a Master's degree in Ancient Mediterranean history. He earned a Ph.D. in American history from the University of New Hampshire in 1987. He has taught at schools in New England, Oklahoma, and Ontario. Dr. Lawson teaches and writes on the history of ideas. He has written eighteen books: nonfiction, fiction, reference. He is married, has three sons, and four rescue pups.