Product Description

This new biography paints a memorable portrait of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great German theologian hanged by the Nazis in 1945. Wind especially brings out Bonhoeffer's early realization of the horror of Nazi treatment of the Jews and his involvement in the resistance against Hitler, his resolve to become "a spoke in the wheel.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #268520 in Books
• Published on: 1992-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780802806321
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From Publishers Weekly
Wind's fresh but brief biography should contribute to the growing interest in Bonhoeffer, the German theologian executed by the Nazis for his part in an attempt to assassinate Hitler. The love that Wind (a teacher and minister in Germany) feels for her subject shines through her every word, but she never lets the book slip into hagiography. The portrait of the martyr that emerges is one of an independent, driven, tormented man, given to narcissism. Of particular interest to readers more acquainted with Bonhoeffer's life will be the accounts of his early career in Spain, Britain and the United States; Wind details the impact, for instance, of his time at Union Theological Seminary in New York, where he encountered racism. Ultimately, Bonhoeffer gave up a comfortable, safe teaching job in the United States to return to stand with his nation in its time of trial, speaking out as early as 1933 against the treatment of the Jews. Bonhoeffer's example continues to inspire, and Wind's book shows readers why. Well-researched and documented, using sources not available in English, and written in a breezy, conversational style, it should appeal to a broad audience.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes
Text: English
Original Language: German

Customer Reviews

The Masquerade of Evil
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke In The Whell, is an excellent book and great biography. This book is a great gift if you want to introduce someone to this life of integrity. The book, translated into English from German, succesfully documents the important aspects of Bonhoeffer's short life: Early chilhood, theology studies, visitation of America, and return to Germany to resist Nazi rule. The book is an easy read and therefore, doesn't over burder the reader who may be introduced to this subject for the first time.

We discover the formatative development of the Confessing Church and the differences many of its members had on how to best oppose the Third Riech. We see Bonhoeffer as the voice of justice in this group as well as a voice of liberity throughout his life. I chose as my title "The Masquerade of Evil" from a chapter in the book because we also see how many citizens in German soceity fall to the evils of Nazism and support its cause. The reader is then moved to a sense of sadness, but vicarious courage, as we live the last years of Bonhoeffer's life in prison. Finally, we read about the death of Bonhoeffer and are moved that a life, so brave, ended so young.

Great subject, but not well written
I bought this book while in the middle of Bonhoeffer's "Letters and Papers from Prison". I was looking for a biography that could give me more background. This book was the only reasonably short biography I could find. Bonhoeffer's story is inspirational and he had had a lot of original ideas.

That said, this biography should have been a lot better. First, the the writing is consistently awkward - thanks to frequent literal translation of German phrases and sentences. Secondly, I got the sense that the author's commitment to Marxist/liberation theology was projected onto Bonhoeffer a bit. Some of that thought is certainly in Bonhoeffer's writings, but social gospel was one of many aspects of his theology. Worst of all, the author is just not a skilled biographer. Bonhoeffer grew up in a time of great change (end of the Kaiser-period, WWI, Weimar Republic, rise of Nazis) developed international acclaim as a theologian, was a pillar of the Confessing Church under the Nazis, conspired secretly against Hitler, and died a martyr. If anyone's life was tailor-made for an exciting biography, it was Bonhoeffer. Yet this book reads primarily like a timeline. It's a sorely missed opportunity.

So I gave the book 2 stars for it's brevity and subject matter, but that has to be balanced by shortcomings in the writing/translation.

Short bio on Bonhoeffer
This was the book I picked up in the bookstore of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC after a tour of the museum and memorial. I wanted to learn more about the German theologian who was one of the most outspoken Protestant Germans to resist the Fuhrer's takeover of Germany and most of Europe.

As other reviewers have stated, this is a short, informative biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. If someone is looking, as I was, for an overview of the main events and themes of his life, this is a good place to start. It is hardly a definitive work, but measures up to being a good starting point.

The author's writing style is somewhat stilted in many places, making the flow jerky and confusing in points. However, the end flows more smoothly and overall, the book gives readers a enough of an overview to where they can go look for other sources that dig deeper.