A Review of Alonzo L. Baker's 1925 Masterpiece, 'The Hope of The World' - A Timeless Revelation

Sometimes, I ponder how people from a century ago perceived the world, balancing modernity with age-old values. Alonzo L. Baker shares his perspective in "The Hope of The World," published in 1925.

While scrolling through the marketplace, a book listing caught my eye, halting my scroll. The seller, Baca Lagi, offered this book with an elegantly simple black hardcover, bearing "The Hope of The World" in golden ink. Truth be told, upon purchase, I hadn’t realized the book primarily discusses Jesus and His second coming. Initially, I viewed it as a relic of the past, adorning my shelves—until now.

Published in 1925, my copy, printed in 1928, might not be the first edition. Nonetheless, the cover remains in superb condition, albeit with minor dents on the edges. While uncertain if the cover is original leather, it certainly feels authentic. The pages are mostly stain-free, although some are chipped. Fortunately, all are legible. The book still features many beautiful photos and illustrations.

In "The Hope of The World," Alonzo argues that the 1920s world was in disarray—plagued by capitalist greed, wars driven by political agendas, natural disasters, and modernists challenging Church influence. Made me think, what’s the difference with the today’s world? Noting the book's post-World War I context and the challenge of recovery from such global trauma. Alonzo suggests that only the biblical event of Jesus Christ's return can rectify these devastations.

I was particularly impressed by Alonzo's meticulous data gathering and presentation. He discusses events like the 1923 Japan earthquake, detailing its 250,000 casualties and 600,000 destroyed buildings. Furthermore, he compares divorce rates from 1890 to 1923, highlighting a nearly threefold increase. Alonzo also examines the rapid growth of Islam in the Eastern world, attributing it to nationalism and anti-colonial sentiment, intertwined with religiosity. These insights are accompanied by captivating images and artwork, enhancing the reader's experience in each chapter.