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Glimpses of Truth
Enlisted to help John Wycliffe translate the Bible into English, Thomas Torr travels to Rome for an audience in the Vatican with hopes of obtaining official approval
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1999
13 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Jack Cavanaugh
36 books154 followersJack Cavanaugh is an award-winning, full-time freelance author with twenty-five published novels to his credit. His nine-volume American Family Portrait series spans the history of a nation from 1630 to the present and is still in print nearly fifteen years following its release.
A student of the novel for more than a quarter of a century, Jack takes his craft seriously, continuing to study and teach at Christian writers conferences. He is the former pastor of three churches in San Diego County and draws upon his theological background for the spiritual elements of his plots and characters.
His novels have been translated into a dozen foreign languages, largely because of the universal scope of his topics. Jack has not only written about American history, but about South Africa, banned English Bibles, German Christians in the days of Hitler and Communism, revivals in America, and angelic warfare.
Jack’s current writing schedule includes motion picture screenplays and e-book serial fiction with Internet distribution. His novel Death Watch has been optioned to be made into a motion picture by Out Cold Entertainment, Inc.
Jack has three grown children and lives with his wife in Southern California.
AWARDS
• Silver Medallion Award (1995), Christian Booksellers Association
• Christy Award (2002, 2003), Excellence in Christian Fiction
• Silver Angel Award (2002), Excellence in Media
• Gold Medal, Best Historical (2001), ForeWord Magazine
• Best Historical Novel (1994), San Diego Literary Society
• Best Novel (1995, 1996, 2005), San Diego Christian Writers Guild
A student of the novel for more than a quarter of a century, Jack takes his craft seriously, continuing to study and teach at Christian writers conferences. He is the former pastor of three churches in San Diego County and draws upon his theological background for the spiritual elements of his plots and characters.
His novels have been translated into a dozen foreign languages, largely because of the universal scope of his topics. Jack has not only written about American history, but about South Africa, banned English Bibles, German Christians in the days of Hitler and Communism, revivals in America, and angelic warfare.
Jack’s current writing schedule includes motion picture screenplays and e-book serial fiction with Internet distribution. His novel Death Watch has been optioned to be made into a motion picture by Out Cold Entertainment, Inc.
Jack has three grown children and lives with his wife in Southern California.
AWARDS
• Silver Medallion Award (1995), Christian Booksellers Association
• Christy Award (2002, 2003), Excellence in Christian Fiction
• Silver Angel Award (2002), Excellence in Media
• Gold Medal, Best Historical (2001), ForeWord Magazine
• Best Historical Novel (1994), San Diego Literary Society
• Best Novel (1995, 1996, 2005), San Diego Christian Writers Guild
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 23, 2009
When I started this book I didn't have high expectations for several reasons. First, I had never heard anything about the book. Second, it was supposed to be the first book in a four book series that was canceled by the publisher after the second book due to poor sales. However, the more I read the more I liked it. A historical fiction book based on the Wycliffe Translation of the Bible into English. The book was filled with danger, romance, and adventure and took you through the sacrifice and commitment that the people took to make it possible for the Bible to be written in English, so even the common people could read God's word.
November 10, 2010
An excellent, well-written novel portraying the events surrounding John Wycliffe's translation of the English Bible. This is the first of Mr. Cavanaugh's books I've read and I really enjoyed it. It tells the story of young Thomas Torr, whom Wycliffe has chosen to assist him in translating the Latin Vulgate into English. The problem, of course, is that translating Holy Scriptures into the common tongue ("vulgar language") is punishable by death. Thomas' work takes him from rural England to Rome. Mr. Cavanaugh was very thorough in his historical research and it shows. The details are rich and the characters are believable. The ending was very moving. This was to be the first of a series of four books set during the times of the earliest English versions of the Bible. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled after the first two (this one covering Wycliffe and "Beyond the Sacred Page" about Tyndale, which I'm reading now).
The author says, "It is my prayer that, after reading these novels, you will be unable to pick up your Bible without offering a silent prayer of gratitude for those who have gone before us, who thought safety and health and life itself was not too great a price to pay that believers might have a Bible in a language they understand."
I think he succeeded.
The author says, "It is my prayer that, after reading these novels, you will be unable to pick up your Bible without offering a silent prayer of gratitude for those who have gone before us, who thought safety and health and life itself was not too great a price to pay that believers might have a Bible in a language they understand."
I think he succeeded.
January 6, 2011
Jack Cavanaugh did an excellent job of taking me back to 14th century England. Back to the time of John Wycliffe who was one of the first to translate the bible into the "vulgar language" of English. Back when the translation of Scripture was forbidden by the Roman Church.
His story tells of a young man by the name of Thomas Torr who was taken in and cared for by a poor ploughman named Howel. Howel's daughter Felice and Thomas have a romantic relationship that grips your heart throughout the book. Thomas is a very gifted man who helps Wycliffe translate the Holy Scripture. After Wycliffe's death, Thomas is sent on the adventure of his life. Thomas is forced to choose, submit to the Church or stand for the Word of God. The ending to this story had me in tears. I am now very humbled when I read my English bible and think of all the men and women who died along the way to make that possible.
His story tells of a young man by the name of Thomas Torr who was taken in and cared for by a poor ploughman named Howel. Howel's daughter Felice and Thomas have a romantic relationship that grips your heart throughout the book. Thomas is a very gifted man who helps Wycliffe translate the Holy Scripture. After Wycliffe's death, Thomas is sent on the adventure of his life. Thomas is forced to choose, submit to the Church or stand for the Word of God. The ending to this story had me in tears. I am now very humbled when I read my English bible and think of all the men and women who died along the way to make that possible.
June 2, 2013
What a testament to the challenges, persecution and death that was endured just for sometimes a single page or sentence of God's written word! I love the author's note at the end where she says, "Our problem is not that we don't have God's Word; our problem is choosing which of the many English versions to read--not to mention deciding about study notes, red-letter editions, hard cover, soft cover, or leather cover; pictures or not pictures; maps; size; gold-leaf edges, and whether to have our names embossed in gold on the cover.....we haul our Bibles around all to glibly, having forgotten the price that was paid so that we might have the privilege of reading a Bible in English."
September 30, 2011
WOW. Fantastic read. One of the best books I've read this year.
September 12, 2017
The review is 3 stars because it could have been more engaging; but the premise of the book gets 5 stars. This is great read on the struggles to provide an English version of the Bible to the laity and the sacrifices to provide the Word to the masses. It makes you truly appreciate the Bible you have at your disposal on a daily basis.
November 2, 2024
This story was slow in some parts, but I'm so glad I continued reading. The author made 14th century England come alive in my mind d. Reading this also deepened my appreciation for all those who suffered persecution in translating the Bible into English.
March 13, 2012
As romance/historical novels goes this one was not too bad. The subject matter was interesting and original, and one that is sadly too little explored for its effects.
I did detect what appeared to be a distinct bias against the aristocratic and upper classes, as well as a number of historical inaccuracies.
It was claimed, for instance that the nobility who had been sympathetic to John Wycliffe during his life turned thier backs on his teachings as soon as he died because they did want to give up thier 'easy' lives and that only the peasants remained faithful.
Any serious examination of the 14th century shows that the aristocracy of the period had anything but 'easy' lives, and there were a signifigant number who did hold onto the teachings of Wycliffe for many years after his death. Indeed, these became the leaders of that became known as the 'Lollard' movement for decades afterwards.
One of the heroes, a peasant outlaw names Cayle holds to a set of beliefs that closely resemble modern Communism, when this ideology did not exist in the 14th century, and the impostition of such concepts onto the historical setting just does not fit.
Finally, one of the characters is burned at the stake for his beliefs at the end on the orders of a local official. At this time only the Church could condemn people to burning, which was the specific punishment for herecy, and none of the followers of Wycliffe suffered this penalty until 20-30 years after this book is set.
I got the feeling that this novel was in some ways intended pander to the tastes and ideas of an American audience, especially with its emphasis on the development politcal freedom and the supposed 'oppression' of the lower classes by the wicked aristorcracy, and this makes the novel appear somewhat polemical, and most of the characters beliefs and attitudes rather anachronistic.
I did detect what appeared to be a distinct bias against the aristocratic and upper classes, as well as a number of historical inaccuracies.
It was claimed, for instance that the nobility who had been sympathetic to John Wycliffe during his life turned thier backs on his teachings as soon as he died because they did want to give up thier 'easy' lives and that only the peasants remained faithful.
Any serious examination of the 14th century shows that the aristocracy of the period had anything but 'easy' lives, and there were a signifigant number who did hold onto the teachings of Wycliffe for many years after his death. Indeed, these became the leaders of that became known as the 'Lollard' movement for decades afterwards.
One of the heroes, a peasant outlaw names Cayle holds to a set of beliefs that closely resemble modern Communism, when this ideology did not exist in the 14th century, and the impostition of such concepts onto the historical setting just does not fit.
Finally, one of the characters is burned at the stake for his beliefs at the end on the orders of a local official. At this time only the Church could condemn people to burning, which was the specific punishment for herecy, and none of the followers of Wycliffe suffered this penalty until 20-30 years after this book is set.
I got the feeling that this novel was in some ways intended pander to the tastes and ideas of an American audience, especially with its emphasis on the development politcal freedom and the supposed 'oppression' of the lower classes by the wicked aristorcracy, and this makes the novel appear somewhat polemical, and most of the characters beliefs and attitudes rather anachronistic.
February 20, 2012
The writing wasn't great - the story wasn't gripping - but a good and fast read for anyone. I did like the historical part of the times, and all about the Wycliff translation and why it was so culturally and spiritually important.
There were huge parts left out - like when the main character Thomas goes to Rome to meet with the cardinals - there is no specific timeline of how long it takes to travel to Rome, or how long to get back, or how long he was there - just a vague reference to him being gone from England for over 2 years.
It seemed hastily written, and that is just one example.
If you are a lover of well-written historical fiction, this may not be for you. HOWEVER, I relearned a lot about the importance of what those Christians went through in that time period to make an English translation available to the masses (200 years prior to the Reformation). Can you imagine going to church and hearing everything in a language you were not versed in (Latin) and simply repeating chants not knowing what they meant. God's word was unattainable for anyone who did not know Latin. The peasant class (of which there were many), were hopeless and without God's word and hope that the Living Word of God offerd, they were an oppressed and unfortunate people. It was frankly - horrible times.
And so for that history lesson alone (and the preface and final appendix by another author), I liked this book.
There were huge parts left out - like when the main character Thomas goes to Rome to meet with the cardinals - there is no specific timeline of how long it takes to travel to Rome, or how long to get back, or how long he was there - just a vague reference to him being gone from England for over 2 years.
It seemed hastily written, and that is just one example.
If you are a lover of well-written historical fiction, this may not be for you. HOWEVER, I relearned a lot about the importance of what those Christians went through in that time period to make an English translation available to the masses (200 years prior to the Reformation). Can you imagine going to church and hearing everything in a language you were not versed in (Latin) and simply repeating chants not knowing what they meant. God's word was unattainable for anyone who did not know Latin. The peasant class (of which there were many), were hopeless and without God's word and hope that the Living Word of God offerd, they were an oppressed and unfortunate people. It was frankly - horrible times.
And so for that history lesson alone (and the preface and final appendix by another author), I liked this book.
August 24, 2025
Not a perfect book, but I've reread and enjoyed it so many times that I feel it deserves five stars. Really brings to life the power of God's word in the heart language. Memorable characters, intriguing plot, and portrays Christian faith without cringiness. The romance is interesting and tasteful. However, the prose is not always smooth. The book drags in some sections. And there are some possible inaccuracies and anachronisms. But it's still one of my favorites.
June 23, 2015
Historical fiction account of the struggle to bring the Holy Scriptures into the "vulgar tongue" and accessible to the common man. Centering on Wycliffe's translation it follows the story of young Thomas Torr and his struggle to translate and bring the Bible to his peasant village and the rest of England.
November 30, 2015
This book was much better than I expected--well written, interesting characters and subplots, and I learned a lot about the religious and political controversies surrounding the translation of the Bible into English. It's Book One of The Book of Books series, so I'm going to keep my eyes open for more.
December 13, 2012
The storyline had potential and was interesting, but I found the characters and the relationship irritating.
September 10, 2015
I love this author, but this was NOT one of my favorite books of his. Too dry, and slow. I didn't even finish it. Try the series American Family Portrait.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews