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Martin Luther: A Life
Designed to coincide with the release of a major motion picture on Martin Luther’s life, this book offers a compact, up-to-date, and accessible biography of the great reformer. Nestingen combines his knowledge of Luther and Reformation history with his considerable storytelling skills to present this concise and compelling story of Martin Luther’s life and times. Information boxes, visual highlights, and excerpts from Luther’s writings extend the story and provide helpful historical reference points and commentary. Here is a Luther biography for a broad range of readers—accurate, concise, engaging—a biography that appeals as well as informs.
110 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 10, 2015
I was given this book and read it because it was about Luther. It was not a very engaging read though. The writing wasn't particularly good, making it hard to connect with the story. I greatly admire the life of Luther and reviewing his story is always good. I don't know that I would recommend this work though, it just wasn't all that compelling.
October 8, 2021
Around 100 pages- and highly recommendable for brevity, clarity and getting the story straight. Nestigen does so wittily, sharp and in an original language - pulling out some Scandanavian and American links of the reformation, which a German is not necessarily accustomed too, but does so in a pleasing and very positive way even where difficult topics are concerned: Free Will, Law, morals and life, Language, Paradox, Jews, death and dying. No wonder President Harrison (LCMS) recommends this as a brilliant introduction to the Reformation and/or a visit to Luther city Wittenberg. The pictures from the Luther film are obviously a publishing gimmick and don´t fit this otherwise unique presentation of Luther´s life.
January 6, 2013
Seems like a good overview of Luther's public life, focusing on the politics and power struggles. I definitely need to dig deeper into the man's theology. Maybe Tom could help me out?!
November 12, 2021
Outstanding little primer on Luthers life. Very accessible and easy to read. Jim's style is very conversational and the book maintains a storytelling feel. Definitely a good starting point for exploring Luthers theology and life
January 18, 2018
Good basic entry level biography
June 8, 2022
An excellent, short biography of Martin Luther. Nestingen hits all of the high points. His analysis is helpful and the structure of the book is intuitive. Highly recommend!
October 19, 2015
This is a good, easy-to-read biography - though I would say it is best handled as an introductory biography to Martin Luther. Not that there is anything wrong with that of course.
This is an excellent book for those who know very little of the Reformation, and would like an easy, "short read" to get into things. I think the Author deals quite fairly with Luther, and that he handles some of the controversies (such as Luther's treatment of the Jews) quite well for a brief book.
So if you've never read anything about Luther or the Reformation, here is a good place to start :)
This is an excellent book for those who know very little of the Reformation, and would like an easy, "short read" to get into things. I think the Author deals quite fairly with Luther, and that he handles some of the controversies (such as Luther's treatment of the Jews) quite well for a brief book.
So if you've never read anything about Luther or the Reformation, here is a good place to start :)
January 8, 2013
Martin Luther, A Life by James A. Nestingen was one that I read for work and while I feel like I learned a lot, I don’t think it was all that enjoyable. It’s written in the style of an academic conference paper and so lacks some pep. I basically felt like I was the object of a barrage of facts. I’d give it a “meh”.
April 14, 2017
I would have thought a book with this title would be very biographical. This book focuses more on Luther's theology, church conflicts and influential writings. However, this is an interesting read, and better than the other 3 Luther biographies I skimmed.
August 29, 2015
This is an excellent biography of Martin Luther's life. It is not heavy on theology. It focuses on political posturing of those in power and contrasts that with Luther's convictions. Great read for seeing what Luther went through.
May 29, 2013
A bit dry, but a good overview of Martin Luther's life. I would have preferred to read a biography of Luther with more content.
November 3, 2013
This was a good quick and easy overview of Martin Luther's life.
October 10, 2014
3.5 but rounding up because it's Martin Luther :-)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews