Bonhoeffer
Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
-
-
4.7 • 211 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Who better to face the greatest evil of the 20th century than a humble man of faith?
As Adolf Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation, bullied a continent, and attempted to exterminate the Jews of Europe, a small number of dissidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor and author.
In this New York Times bestselling biography, Eric Metaxas takes both strands of Bonhoeffer's life--the theologian and the spy--and draws them together to tell a searing story of incredible moral courage in the face of monstrous evil.
In Bonhoeffer, Metaxas presents the fullest account of Bonhoeffer's life, including his:
heart-wrenching decision to leave the safe haven of America to return to Hitler's Germanyinvolvement in the famous Valkyrie plot and in "Operation 7," the effort to smuggle Jews into neutral Switzerlandlifelong dedication to sharing the tenets of his faith
This edition, revised and with a new introduction from the author, shares the deeply moving story through previously unavailable documents, including personal letters, detailed journal entries, and firsthand personal accounts to reveal never-before-seen dimensions of Bonhoeffer's life and work.
Praise for Bonhoeffer:
"Metaxas has created a biography of uncommon power--intelligent, moving, well researched, vividly written, and rich in implication for our own lives. Or to put it another way: Buy this book. Read it. Then buy another copy and give it to a person you love. It's that good." --Archbishop Charles Chaput, author, First Things
"Metaxas tells Bonhoeffer's story with passion and theological sophistication." —Wall Street Journal
"Metaxas presents Bonhoeffer as a clear-headed, deeply convicted Christian who submitted to no one and nothing except God and his Word." --Christianity Today
"Metaxas has written a book that adds a new dimension to World War II, a new understanding of how evil can seize the soul of a nation and a man of faith can confront it." --Thomas Fleming, author, The New Dealers’ War
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this weighty, riveting analysis of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Metaxas (Amazing Grace) offers a comprehensive review of one of history's darkest eras, along with a fascinating exploration of the familial, cultural and religious influences that formed one of the world's greatest contemporary theologians. A passionate narrative voice combines with meticulous research to unpack the confluence of circumstances and personalities that led Germany from the defeat of WWI to the atrocities of WWII. Abundant source documentation (sermons, letters, journal entries, lectures, the Barman Declaration) brings to life the personalities and experiences that shaped Bonhoeffer: his highly intellectual, musical family; theologically liberal professors, pastoral colleagues and students; his extensive study, work, and travel abroad. Tracing Bonhoeffer's developing call to be a Jeremiah-like prophet in his own time and a growing understanding that the church was called "to speak for those who could not speak," Metaxas details Bonhoeffer's role in religious resistance to Nazism, and provides a compelling account of the faith journey that eventually involved the Lutheran pastor in unsuccessful attempts to assassinate Hitler. Insightful and illuminating, this tome makes a powerful contribution to biography, history and theology.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful
Wonderful book which I heartily recommend.
A finally crafted gem
Despite the length, the writing is powerful and one immediately gets a sense of restraint. Herein is the life of one the best men to live in the 20th century, presented, not from a particular view or angle but left to simply speak for itself. The authors craft was like that of a jeweler who carefully cuts and polishes in order to show the true beauty of the gem inside. A true masterwork and one which, I am sure, will affect me profoundly for years to come.
A God Connected Life
Detailed biography of an intelligent, learned, devout man of courage and conviction. The book primarily explores deep Christian thought and the evangelical church within WW II Germany. German efforts to assassinate Hitler and preserve Germany as well as the Godless evil of the SS give true context to an extraordinary man.