Luther and His World (Ivp Histories)

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Introduction, Beautifully Illustrated, Great Price!
Review: Like the other title of this series, "Faith in the Byzantine World," Tomlin's book is beautifully illustrated with maps, color photos, excerpts from primary sources, and more. You really will love to look at this book, let alone read it! As the other review has noted, this book is quite sympathetic to Luther and his theology, but it does present the reader with a fair and strong understanding of the Roman Catholic context of the Reformation. Highly recommended for catechism class or adult group study, or as a companion to a more detailed account of the Reformation (Jaroslav Pelikan's Volume Four of his "The Christian Tradition", for example). You will certainly not go wrong in buying this book! Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Luther in a nutshell
Review: This is a sympathetic treatment of the life and impact of this giant of the Reformation era.
The author is conversant with the modern re-interpretations of Luther, but he focuses on the objective facts of Luther's life and beliefs, as well as the dynamics that helped make Luther a bridge from medievalism to the modern world.
Filled with colorful anecdotal material and Luther's interactions with friends and adversaries, the author portrays the human side of Luther in the development of his belief system. The concluding chapter sketches the importance of Luther's thought and its lasting influence.
This handbook on Luther is a glossy publication with useful sidebars, contemporary paintings, and modern photographs.