Martin Luther, Volume 1: His Road to Reformation, 1483-1521

Martin Luther #1

by Martin Brecht, James L. Schaaf (Translator)

This first volume in Martin Brecht's three-volume biography recounts Luther's youth and young adulthood up to the period of the Diet of Worms. Brecht, in a clear, eloquent translation by James Schaaf, discusses Luther's education at the University of Erfurt, his monastic life, his canonical trial in 1519, the Leipzig debate, and his earliest contributions to the beginning of the Reformation. Illustrations enrich the text.

Genres: History, Biography, Theology, Church History, Christianity, Christian

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Martin Brecht is Professor Emeritus of Reformation and Modern Church History at the University of Muenster, Germany.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brecht makes the young Luther's world and struggles so vivid as to be almost tangible. Brecht gives a comprehensive flow of scholarship with an ad fontes approach. Secondary sources and debates are avoided, and this keeps this massive text moving and the reader's energy up. It's hard to believe we can know so much about a historical figure almost 500 years old.

[Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While informative, this book (vol. 1 of 3) is overly drawn out. Lots of details and rabbit trails that could have been left out. Whereas some historical books tend to be nothing but a collection of quotes, this book tends to summarize everything, even paraphrasing quotes from Luther. We're talking about Luther: everything he said was pithy and quotable. Mohler has hilariously observed, Luther never had an unarticulated thought. The use of the present for portions of the narrative annoyed me a little, which reminds me of THL Parker's bio on Calvin.

[Hank Pharis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of 3 volumes on Luther and it must be the most extensive biography ever done on him. I know Luther pretty well but I learned a lot more from this. Looking forward to the next 2 volumes.

[Joel Zartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marathonic. If you don't want detail, do not apply to this 3 Vol biography. But if you do want detail, you will find it here. Everything is explained.

[Albert Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undoubtedly the gold-standard in scholarly Luther biographies. Not intended as an introduction to Luther or survey of his life, Brecht delves not only into the events of Luther's life, but the cultural, historical, theological and academic setting, the other characters who crossed paths and swords with Luther and into his many writings. Rather than seeking a trendy new reading of Luther's motivations or intentions, Brecht seeks to understand Luther on his own terms and whenever possible to let Luther speak for himself.

Perhaps best of all, this volume was theological. It presented the spiritual realities that were at play and the consequences for the soul of the teachings Luther (re)discovered. There were portions where the discussion of Luther's writings and line of thought was practically devotional. Not the he ever devolves to a hagiography, yet so well does Brecht capture the pastoral character of Luther.

The paperback edition was nothing special. As other reviews have noted, some the pictures look like a poor photocopy from the hard cover edition. However, I doubt most read a 3 vol. biography of Luther for the pictures. I look forward to completing the remaining volumes.

[James Ruley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Brecht’s minutely detailed biography of Martin Luther is a masterpiece. In this first part, Brecht traces Luther’s development from childhood to the Edict of Worms. Brecht explains the development of the Reformation in Luther’s mind, from his shocking conversion to his challenge of the church and refusal to recant his beliefs. What makes this work so good is that Brecht details for the reader what is clear about Luther’s thought and motivations and what has been lost to history. The development of Luther’s beliefs and controversy with the church is painstakingly chronicled, helping the reader see that the Reformation unfolded gradually, instead of in one defiant act at Wittenberg in 1517.

Two notes. I suspect many would become quickly bogged down in the minute details and scholarly prose in which this book is written. If you just want an overview of Luther, this is not the right book for you. Second, sometimes it is very clear that this book has been translated from German as the writing style is sometimes stilted and can read a bit awkwardly. With those caveats, this is an excellent deep dive into the life of Luther.

[Mark Trigsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several Luther biographies - For my money Nothing compares to Brecht’s 3 vol. so much detail and so well done. They came out in 1983 in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Luther.’s birth.

The brilliant thing about these volumes is that they are in chronological order by topic. So you can easily find what Brecht has to say about any event in the life of the reformer quickly!

[Lauren Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very vibrant and detailed account of the first 3rd of Luther's life. The historical narrative is capturing and entertaining; you feel like you're there. A very accessible account of Luther's early life and into the beginnings of the Reformation; great for those looking for a bit more than what is offered in single volume biographies.

[Shane Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read of this giant...this is the first in a series of three volumes....I will be reading the other 2 soon enough!