This Was John Calvin

by Thea B. Van Halsema

Book by Halsema, Thea B. Van

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Christian

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The chapters were a good length. A fair bit of background without getting bogged down in details. A lot of personal information about Calvin and his family. My boys would not let me stop reading it, which is rare for a biography of this length.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I scooped this little book from my parents! The author jumps around a bit, but still a very easy, enjoyable read. It's given me a much greater appreciation for John Calvin and how God used this brilliant, humble servant!

[Lucas Bragança · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente biografia! Não conseguia parar de ler!

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the last few years, much has been published about John Calvin, the great reformer of Geneva. Even so, this fifty year-old biography by Van Halsema is still one of my favorites. It’s interesting, easy to read, full of information, and balanced. Calvin’s complex life is neither glorified nor romanticized, nor are his faults exaggerated. This book does not focus on Calvin’s theology, but it does show how his beliefs found expression in both his public life and his personal struggles.

...

I just finished reading this book aloud to four children ages 10-17. It was not an easy read aloud for many reasons, but it was very worthwhile.

Read more about the book and the read aloud experience at Tea Time with Annie Kate

[Lisa Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m guessing the very reason I liked this book might be why others would criticize it. It is written at an easy reading level, and as the author states, it does not go into theological discussions. Rather, it presents a rather engaging story of Calvin and his times. It’s an ugly story in some ways with plagues and tuberculosis as well as torturing heretics and burning people at the stake. But it was his time. There is enough detail that I learned several things.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma das melhores biografias que já li sobre Calvino. Seu teor é bastante comovente e encorajador. Gostei muito pelo fato de ir desde o nascimento à morte de Calvino com detalhes extraídos de cartas e correspondências do reformador. Recomendo com entusiasmo! De fato se trata de uma vibrante história!

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but didn't. It did not hold my attention. I felt it was poorly written and beyond the understanding of the children it was written for. The author assumes you have more knowledge of the Reformation and Calvin than most young people have when they begin this book.

[Rodrigo Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gostei demais desse livro, sinceramente não sabia da importância e dos feitos do Calvino, não nessa dimensão que o livro retrata. Muito interessante saber como foi a vida desse servo sofredor do Senhor. A história é incrível. Recomendo a leitura, realmente a história é vibrante.

[Matthew Richey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not academic and more than a little hagiographical, but a good overview of Calvin's life. I could see reading this to older children.

[Byron Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aprendí mucho de esta bibliografía de un grande la fe que como todo hombre tuvo sus defectos pero también dejó un gran legado.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a fairly dry biobraphy of John Calvin, but quite fascinating to a history junky like me. I am shocked at some of the things that were done in the name of religion - on both sides of the fence. I am impressed with his courage and discipline of character, even when his body was not strong. It is written by a Protestant, so it is obviously biased in admiration for this religious reformer, but I learned a LOT. If you are looking for books to give you a good understanding of the beginnings of the reformation religions, this would be a great start.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up off of Dad and Mom's book shelf over Easter Break and enjoyed a fast read. She covers Calvin's life with some sensitivity, great admiration, and no attention to his theology. I remember being struck by all Calvin's excellent teachers, his appreciation for them, and by the story of a arrogant young school teacher in Geneva who wanted to be ordained but was not admitted due.

[Lady Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent beginning biography of John Calvin, bordering on on hagiography, written in the style of a novel and containing no bibliography. It is an accessible work for youth.

[Linnet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book... and it reads easy, like a novel.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a children's fictional biography of John Calvin. Overall it was an interesting book.