"A very important piece of historical research." Dr Peter Jackson, formerly Senior Lecturer in History, University of Brighton "With God on Their Side is by far the most comprehensive account to date of the opposition faced by Salvationists in the south of England during the 1880s and early 1890s. Well-written, well-researched, and balanced in its assessments, James Gardner's book is required reading for anyone wishing to understand the Salvation Army's remarkable beginnings in Victorian Britain." Andrew M. Eason, Associate Professor of Religion and Director of the Centre for Salvation Army Studies, Booth University College, Winnipeg, Canada "James Gardner, a local historian of the south coast of England, carefully documents the organised opposition to the work of the Salvation Army by 'the Skeleton Army'The account of this 'forgotten history' is rich in details of who did what, when, and the results in terms of court cases and sentences of prison or fines." Chris Sugden, Evangelicals Now, June 2022 "The book looks at the hostility The Salvation Army faced in the 1880s and 1890s, particularly on the south coast of England, in an engaging and accessible style. Gardner brings to life a period when Salvationists were derided in the press as 'hyper-zealous fanatics bawling music as discordant as a colony of rooks'. Early chapters contain a concise account of Salvation Army origins and the opposition against it.

" Steven Spencer, Salvationist UK, 2 July 2022.