Until I received this book I have never had the opportunity to read about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Written by the author of Amazing Grace, this is his complete biography—from his birth to his death. Metaxas has researched his subject thoroughly and gives us a very real and moving story with excerpts from Dietrich’s own writings and letters as well as several pages of family photos. All of the details of Bonheoffer’s life that contributed to who he was and what he believed are in this book. As we read about Dietrich’s life, education and experiences we are also given the history of Germany and how Hitler came to be in power. We see the struggles that the Germans and Jews were subjected to in these times and are able to understand the many hard decisions that so many people were forced to make. I was most moved by the questions Bonhoeffer asked of himself and others, and his search for the answers to what true Christianity is. I do not (as some seem to) have any problems with this man’s theology. He spent his life seeking God and helping others in any way he could. It is very evident that he lived and died what he believed. Here is a story of true courage, bravery, and conviction—to do the right thing when it is required—no matter the cost. May we all learn to live and die so well.


I received this complimentary copy from the Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.