This book is an excellent overview of the very fascinating and inspiring life of Martin Luther. It is intended for teenagers and young adults, but is very useful for adults who want an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand description of this adventurous monk within the Catholic Church of sixteenth-century Europe.

I found this book as I was searching for one on Luther to have my confirmation students read as part of our discussion on the Lutheran church. I have used it for two years now and have found it to be a very useful educational tool. This 122-page book is divided into 13 chapters of about six to ten pages each. The book is written chronologically with each chapter focusing on one period or aspect of Luther’s life and ministry.

This book also has several features enhancing its readability and appeal to younger audiences. It has a larger font than most books to help with readability. Each chapter has a couple of drawings, pictures, maps, or other graphics related to Luther’s life. I enjoyed seeing Luther’s handwritten copy of the hymn he wrote entitled “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It shows the musical notes, his words in German, and his own signature. Another graphic in the book is “Luther’s seal” designed with the cross of Christ inside rose petals and two outer circles with his initials next to it.

Luther wrote much during his lifetime, and the author of this book does a nice job of inserting several of Luther’s quotes and writing examples within this narrative of Luther’s life. Readers are rewarded with a paragraph from Luther’s reflections on the strict discipline he endured at a school he attended in Magdeburg when he was 14 years old. Later in the book, there is a vivid description by Luther on his trip to Rome. And I found it very interesting to see the letter that Luther wrote his friend George Spalatin concerning nine fugitive nuns who went to Luther to help them find a home, work, or a husband. In his letter, Luther gives their names and reveals his thoughts and questions concerning their situation.

There are two other features that readers will appreciate. First, at the beginning of the book, the “Five Solas” are listed and described in a one-page summary. These are titled as “The Rallying Cry of the Great Reformers”: Grace alone, Faith alone, Christ alone, The Scriptures alone, and The Glory of God alone. At the end of the book, there is a 20-page appendix that has Luther’s “Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans.” This is one of Luther’s clearest writings on justification by faith in Christ and a good summary statement for students and young adults to study.

I recommend this book to others, and my confirmation students also gave positive comments on it. I plan to include this book in my resources for new members, which can be especially helpful for those with little or no previous knowledge of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation.

Pr. Craig Benson
Amazing Grace Free Lutheran and St. Peter Lutheran
Armour, SD

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