The Knights of Rhodes

by Bo Giertz, Bror Erickson (Contributor)

1521 has arrived. A new year in a new world with new nations, new continents, new knowledge, and new rulers. Never before had so much power been gathered in such young hands. The tenth Sultan, the twenty-six-year-old Suleiman, ascends to his father's throne in one of the world's most powerful empires. The rest of the world hopes that the eastern threat has faded. Rhodes is Christendom's closest and most defiant outpost against the East. There the Knights of St. John's Grand Master has died. Strife and treachery await his successor. Some hundred knights have the task to defend the outpost. Their Grand Master's motto is "Victory or Death."

Genres: History, Christianity, Medieval, Religion, Christian

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book. Enjoyable historical piece, great theology that you get to dig around for, and a really accessible translation, which I am thankful for. Here we see the subtlety of Lutheran theology and the clash of the theology of glory and the theology of the cross. Also, Giertz has a great way of inserting scenes of touching pastoral care of souls that is distinctly Lutheran and beautiful. While Giertz writes with a Lutheran lens, he does not force any of the characters, most of whom are Roman Catholic, to become Lutheran, and in so doing he illustrates the catholic nature of Lutheranism. Highly recommend this work to pastors, theologians, laity and history buffs.

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

fan rätt bra då och då, sen blir den tragisk tråkig när den inte är bra

[Bruce Flanagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unexpected delight.

[Wilhelm Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right thing for me to read right now. Full of deep insights as You´d expect from the venerable Bishop from Sweden. He´s knowledgeable, detailed, humorous and always wise and pastoral. Never afraid to tackle the really hard-core questions of the true religion (Judaism, Islam & Christianity), providence, destiny, life and salvation, theology of glory & its opposite of the cross. Human issues are also dealt with in a convincing, authentic, moving, sometimes even heart wrenching way - like when the Greek mother kills her little baby boys to keep them from worse by the enemy's onslaught and then goes to die at the side of her husband/lover on the barricades. Human weakness, treachery, envy, laziness, sloth, vengefulness, cowardice, and all sorts of terrible vices are exposed - sometimes avenged, often regretted, sometimes forgiven. But You also read about endurance, cunning, innovativeness, bravery, generosity and kindness, magnanimity and courage, faith, hope and love in the face of death and torture too. It´s a good book. Fascinating history - and I sure want to visit Rhodos one day. Thanks to the translator Bror Erickson for making this accessible in English.

[Christian Ekman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down.

I loved how true to history this book was, and how accurately it portrayed the fate of the people involved; obviously with a focus on the major historical figures, but also on the merchants and the poor. Unfortunately, it is also written in a somewhat "dry" style. It is also absolutely filled with technical terms in regards to sailing, military, and fortifications. I read the book in my native language (Swedish) and there were still many, many words I did not know. I don't generally mind new words you're not familiar with, but this book was teeming with them to the point where some passages were hard to imagine what was actually being said. I think if it had been less dry, and perhaps a bit fewer technical terms used, this would have easily been at least a 4 or 4.5. The story itself, and the historical aspect, are utterly fascinating!

[Danielw · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, Bo Giertz’s ‘Hammer of God’ is one of my favorite books. Therefore, I decided to read more of Giertz’s writings. This one is nothing like Hammer of God. I found the Knights of Rhodes to be slow and hard to follow and it took a while to keep all the names straight. It’s not a horrible book. Part of the problem may be inflated expectations because of the Hammer of God. Others may be able to glean more out of this story than I did. And I hope that’s the case. But for me , it just didn’t work.

[John Damon Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic piece of historical fiction that delightfully explores the nature of faith and purpose in the context of the fall of the last crusader holdout in the east. I greatly enjoyed the overarching narrative of duty and trial, however, the story shifts rapidly between the perspectives of a whole host of characters and the poor formatting hindered me from effectively keeping track of whenever the prospective shifted.
As a recently translated book, I can forgive many of these formatting and mechanical errors.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into the book at first, which surprised me, but once I got to the midpoint of the book I really enjoyed it and of course, being Giertz, the theological observations and underpinnings to the story are spot-on.

[Olof Björkqvist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intressting story about a defiant little island that stands against the Ottoman empire.
However a bit of a hard read since there were alot of diffrent things happenenig, the pacing was also very fast at times and I often mixed ut the diffrent characters.

[Stephen Starke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on actual minutes and records , a stirring tale of bravery and faith telling about a conflict between Christianity and Islam in the 16th century, the 1521 Ottoman assault on the island of Rhodes. Bo Giertz blends history, theology, and a strong narrative.

[Charlotta Larsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic and intereseting book about the last battle for rhodos.

[Justin Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. What an amazing work. The last quarter hit me so hard, and moved me to worship my God and his infinite wisdom.

[Henrik Jespersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Frygter nogen af jer Herren, han lytte til hans tjener, enhver som vandrer i mørke og uden lys; han stole på Herrens navn, søge støtte hos sin Gud.” (Esajas 50:10)

Amen

[Christopher Raffa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Here are just some of the great quotes:

“We shall all die in one way or another. We all need forgiveness for all that we have done. The most important thing is that one may keep his hand on Jesus when the time comes” [164]

“I only mean that a father does not desire to leave this earth so long as his children need him. To give his life is a grand sacrifice. But it is great and better to live and remain” [194]

"He folded his hands. A great calm came over him. He was not alone. He knew that, but that needed to be clothed in a word. Here was someone who went around between the sickbeds. Just like on the streets in Capernaum. He stayed and bowed down. His breast has a great wound too. His hands bloody. It seemed that he knew all about it. When those at home could never understand. He had been through it, the cold and the rain, dirt and vermin, beaten and wounded, the fear of death and defeat. He was the God who descended down into all this. He was very near. It was good to have such a God" [201-202]

“Yes, an honor that only comes to God’s elect. In the ash heap one only has God left, and just there one can show that it is sufficient” [211]

[Steven Tibbetts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel based on the true story of the end of the Knights Hospitallers at Rhodes -- whose fall to Suleiman in 1521 nevertheless helped save the Christian West from the Muslim Turks. This first English translation reads quite well, but wow! is this edition riddled with typographical errors

[Johan Karlemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bo Giertz lyckas med att ge historiska huvudpersoner och mer perifera personer kött och liv.
Boken är spännande och känns gediget historisk baserat.
Den innehåller även luthersk teologi även om det är i mindre utsträckning än ex. Stengrunden.