The Story of Liberty outlines the march of the human race from slavery to freedom, focusing on the pivotal five hundred years from the signing of the Magna Charta to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock.

In Coffin’s point of view, it is not the great battles that direct the course of history but small events that have momentous results. He emphasizes that the defeats of those who fought for freedom have often been victories in the long run. Coffin also challenges the idea that the marvelous events of history have been only a series of coincidences. He acknowledges that men have free will, but perceives an unseen power that shapes destiny.

The author’s ultimate purpose was to show that endurance and sacrifice lead to the freedoms that people hold most dear, “so will you comprehend what Liberty has cost, and what it is worth.”