CALVIN A Biography

by Bernard Cottret, Wallace McDonald (Translator)

A major new authoritative and comprehensive biography, shedding new light on the life and personality of the great Reformer - and the milieu in which he lived and worked. CottretG s Calvin is not the G staticG theologian of earlier biographies, but a man of enormous vigour, constantly on the move in his thinking as well as in his life. Professor Cottret introduces the reader to the world into which Calvin was born, and follows him from childhood to humanistic and literary pursuits in Basel, to ministry in Geneva, to the halcyon Strasbourg years and finally back to Geneva. The vital issues of the day are encountered as it were through CalvinG s eyes, as the author leads the reader through the dramatic upheavals of sixteenth-century Europe. A classic biography which will be an indispensable resource for students and scholars for years to come. Praise for Calvin: 'A tour de force. . . Cottret has avoided the trap of painting a character who would have had, from the beginning, all of the traits of his later years, and endeavours to show how Calvin became Calvin. . . Brilliant.' --Le Monde 'This excellent book regards the French Reformer with new eyes. . . Cottret mixes seriousness and welcome humour. For the public interested in a history of Protestanism, this book is full of reflections of the spirit of the Reformation.' --Les Livres du Mois G Bernard Cottret is an accomplished and successful writer . . . He has an idiosyncratic style that mixes narrative and professional bon mots of a cold philosophical nature . . . Cottret is also the first of recent biographers [. . .] to make extensive use of CalvinG s sermons, many of which languished unpublished until recently. Calvin had grave doubts about the publication of such works and thought them fit only for a local and transitory audience; but it is here, in this less guarded medium, that CalvinG s skill as a teacher and expositor shines forth with greatest clarity.G --English Historical Review

Genres: Biography, History, Church History, Nonfiction, Religion

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 1995

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good work on Calvin. I felt that it was easy to get to the heart of his story without veneration or villainy. Calvin was explained in his context, he was examined within his world, and he was appreciated for his genius and theological contributions. However, his errors and mistakes were hardly glossed over allowing a real man to emerge from the shadows of Calvinism which usually hides his picture. The translation was good but it was a little awkward at times and this made the reading a little dry in spots.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

While I found the book interesting, I was disappointed to learn that Cottret, a historian, propagated historical untruths about Calvin parroted by secondary biased sources such as Bolzac (who despised Calvin). Cotrett repeated several times that Calvin believed the earth was the center of the universe. He also mischaracterized Calvin’s involvement in the Servetus affair. For a more scholarly take on a life of John Calvin, I would recommend Alistair McGrath’s work.

[David Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well a statement made by the author pretty much sums it up, Luther’s the guy you might wanna grab a beer with and Calvin is definitely not... Great work by the author but Calvin’s life story isn’t particularly exciting.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and important life. I appreciated Cottret's analysis of Calvin on many points, but thought that he failed to capture the spirit of the man. Still well worth reading.

[Jess Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une biographie dont j'ai beaucoup aimé la lecture. Pleine d'informations sans jamais être lourde, l'auteur parvient à nous transmettre une passion palpable sur son sujet.
Il se permet quelques avis et opinions personnelles mais sans être invasif.
Je recommande fortement.