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John Fisher and Thomas More: Keeping Their Souls While Losing Their Heads
In 1929, nearly four hundred years after the deaths of Saints Thomas More and John Fisher, G.K. Chesterton observed in words equally attributable to Fisher, “Blessed Thomas More is more important at this moment than at any moment since his death, even perhaps the great moment of his dying; but he is not quite so important as he will be in a hundred years.”
Judge Robert J Conrad, Jr. anticipates Chesterton’s one-hundred-year mark in a collection of stories from the lives of More and Fisher, demonstrating how their sanctity and integrity carried them and those who loved them through tumultuous and heart-wrenching times which, perhaps surprisingly, bear a striking resemblance to the present epoch.
At first blush, nothing could appear more different than the pre-industrial sixteenth century and the tech-centered modern era. But a closer examination presents a similar tale of political maneuvering and hostile hearings, legal corruption, viral pandemics, riots, suppression of speech, loss of religious liberty, and a profound indifference for truth. Judge Conrad effortlessly weaves together tales of both men and what made them who they were—family, faith, friendship, oaths, vocation, detachment, conscience—inviting those who strive for holiness down the same narrow path these two martyrs walked with a clarity founded upon the truth of Christ’s Church, and a wit that charmed even their persecutors.
Both these men refused to consent to the theological farce that would permit the king’s divorce and remarriage and drive a wedge into the unity of the Christian world, and both paid for their convictions with their lives. More died the king’s good servant and God’s first. Fisher approached his execution with joy befit for a wedding. And yet, both stand today, long after they are gone, as models of courage in a time when it is desperately needed.
Discover in this volume of powerful stories two saints whose lives could not be timelier for the present age.
Judge Robert J Conrad, Jr. anticipates Chesterton’s one-hundred-year mark in a collection of stories from the lives of More and Fisher, demonstrating how their sanctity and integrity carried them and those who loved them through tumultuous and heart-wrenching times which, perhaps surprisingly, bear a striking resemblance to the present epoch.
At first blush, nothing could appear more different than the pre-industrial sixteenth century and the tech-centered modern era. But a closer examination presents a similar tale of political maneuvering and hostile hearings, legal corruption, viral pandemics, riots, suppression of speech, loss of religious liberty, and a profound indifference for truth. Judge Conrad effortlessly weaves together tales of both men and what made them who they were—family, faith, friendship, oaths, vocation, detachment, conscience—inviting those who strive for holiness down the same narrow path these two martyrs walked with a clarity founded upon the truth of Christ’s Church, and a wit that charmed even their persecutors.
Both these men refused to consent to the theological farce that would permit the king’s divorce and remarriage and drive a wedge into the unity of the Christian world, and both paid for their convictions with their lives. More died the king’s good servant and God’s first. Fisher approached his execution with joy befit for a wedding. And yet, both stand today, long after they are gone, as models of courage in a time when it is desperately needed.
Discover in this volume of powerful stories two saints whose lives could not be timelier for the present age.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2021
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66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 26, 2023
Conrad brilliantly exposes Chesterton’s prophecy. These men’s lives and deaths are far more relevant today than they were in the 16th century. Whether you’re Catholic, Protestant, religious, agnostic or atheist, Conrad reveals just how much these two men will inspire all of us to be better people.
I find myself reviewing each chapter, meditating on what I’ve just read. Every chapter brings out the relevance of these two men in today’s world and frankly, in my own life. They were intellectual giants, successful by every measure. Yet they were and remain imminently approachable.
Let yourself be blessed and enriched by this wonderful book!
I find myself reviewing each chapter, meditating on what I’ve just read. Every chapter brings out the relevance of these two men in today’s world and frankly, in my own life. They were intellectual giants, successful by every measure. Yet they were and remain imminently approachable.
Let yourself be blessed and enriched by this wonderful book!
February 19, 2024
Amazing Book!
The book is a great overview of the lives of two of the Church’s greatest saints. It’s an easy read and more enjoyable because the author is a former federal prosecutor and judge. I went on a spending spree buying a lot of the books in the footnotes and bibliography!
The book is a great overview of the lives of two of the Church’s greatest saints. It’s an easy read and more enjoyable because the author is a former federal prosecutor and judge. I went on a spending spree buying a lot of the books in the footnotes and bibliography!
December 31, 2025
I think it's appropriate the author grouped these two saints together. I wanted a book on Thomas More and didn't by know anything about John Fisher before, but this book taught me so much more about both of them. I also learned more about the death of John the Baptist, and it answered questions I had always had.
December 31, 2021
Resounding profiles in moral courage from a world long past aimed at our contemporary world, which too often seems to have lost the courage of conviction.
December 31, 2021
Great Read
This is an illumenating book. Two good and brilliant holy men are sacrificed for lust, power and the evil genisis of the church of England.
This is an illumenating book. Two good and brilliant holy men are sacrificed for lust, power and the evil genisis of the church of England.
December 6, 2022
A bit repetitive but I enjoyed learning more about these two men. Very inspirational!
December 26, 2021
An outstanding reflection on the spiritual lessons of the lives and martyrdom of these two great men.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews