Beyond the Sacred Page

by Jack Cavanaugh

Meeting William Tyndale at the home of his master, religious schoolmaster John Foxe denounces Tyndale's views as heretical and conspires with Henry Phillips to kill the man and sabotage his efforts to translate Scripture into English. Original.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, Historical

Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Jack Cavanaugh is an award-winning, full-time freelance author with twenty-five published novels to his credit. His nine-volume American Family Portrait series spans the history of a nation from 1630 to the present and is still in print nearly fifteen years following its release.

A student of the novel for more than a quarter of a century, Jack takes his craft seriously, continuing to study and teach at Christian writers conferences. He is the former pastor of three churches in San Diego County and draws upon his theological background for the spiritual elements of his plots and characters.

His novels have been translated into a dozen foreign languages, largely because of the universal scope of his topics. Jack has not only written about American history, but about South Africa, banned English Bibles, German Christians in the days of Hitler and Communism, revivals in America, and angelic warfare.

Jack’s current writing schedule includes motion picture screenplays and e-book serial fiction with Internet distribution. His novel Death Watch has been optioned to be made into a motion picture by Out Cold Entertainment, Inc.

Jack has three grown children and lives with his wife in Southern California.

AWARDS

• Silver Medallion Award (1995), Christian Booksellers Association
• Christy Award (2002, 2003), Excellence in Christian Fiction
• Silver Angel Award (2002), Excellence in Media
• Gold Medal, Best Historical (2001), ForeWord Magazine
• Best Historical Novel (1994), San Diego Literary Society
• Best Novel (1995, 1996, 2005), San Diego Christian Writers Guild

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but interesting introduction to the time in history when it was illegal for common people to read the Bible when it was finally translated into English. These people were considered heretics and were horribly persecuted and put to death by burning just for looking for spiritual enlightenment. Just another example of how the catholic church tried to control the population and make themselves rich during the dark ages.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am on a Tyndale stint right now. I really enjoyed this book. Didn't want to put it down. I was genuinely interested in the characters and their struggles. I loved the way the author portrayed the power of the Word of God to change the people's hearts and lives.

[Cbrooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished the book. I loved the way actual historical quotes were woven into the story. Mr. Cavanaugh had me right through the last sentence. I highly recommend this book!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing! I vaguely knew about Tyndale's translation of the Bible and the early martyrs of the reformation, but now I have so much more reverence for who they are and what they did. I love these kinds of books that help me appreciate people and events in history and make them come to life in a way in which I can relate!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good and very interesting book. The well-developed characters really bring the story to life. The suspense and intrigue kept me turning pages. It brought home to me how privileged we are to have the Bible written in our own language and how amazing it is that so many were willing to die to make that happen.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was easy to read but I didn't really like it all that much. I didn't like any of the main characters and I'm not fond of historical fiction. However, it was interesting to learn some history about the Tyndale translation of the New Testament. I hadn't realized it had created such a stir in England.

[Leilani C · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like there was too much about the main fictional characters. I would have liked to have more details about the times that they were living through.
The book has spurred me to read more about Tyndale and his predecessor Wycliffe.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, except for the horrible murders and all that.
Shocking how The Bible used to be a banned book!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical novel relating the political turmoil surrounding Tyndale's translation of the Bible--Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and all that, you know.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Club Book April 2024

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous telling of a fictional couple involved in the hunt for Tyndale and illegal New Testaments. The wife reads the book after taking it away from young ladies in the royal court. She intends to burn it, but accidentally reads a few phrases and becomes enraptured with the beautiful language. She then cannot keep away from it, and becomes guilt-ridden as her husband continues to hunt down smugglers and the illegal books. She finds herself on the side of the smugglers.

I looked up information about the actual situation and found many crazy truths in the fictional story. After all the persecution against the New Testament, King Henry VIII finally decided to have his own English New Testament translated which became the King James Bible project.

Very thought provoking, even as a fiction story.

[Katelynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second time through this one and it held up! I love that. The first time I read it was probably 7th or 8th grade, so I wasn't sure what to expect. This author is actually really good at telling historical stories in an interesting and informative way - which is what I enjoy about historical fiction. This is a story about the struggles of Bible translators (and readers) during the time of Henry VIII. Overall it was well-written and didn't simplify complex issues. I walk away with a greater appreciation of my religious freedoms and gratitude for the sacrifices of others that have given me these freedoms. The ending was a little trite, but the rest of the book was great.

[Lisa Loftis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational!

The Bible, a book in virtually all hotel rooms, it's found in hospitals, homes, and is downloaded on phones, kindles and iPods everywhere, but there was a time when possessing this book in your own language was a capital offense.

Take a trip back in time, to England, visit with Meg, what was it like to betray the man she loved for a book she craved? What was the power that book possessed? Go with Megan to the queen's chamber and hear the forbidden scriptures while they are read aloud to a troubled queen, shadow Pernell as he raids smuggling operations and arrests the heretics, stand by as the heretics are executed...this book is packed with characters so real you will laugh and cry with them.

True to his form Jack Cavanaugh does not disappoint the reader. Brace yourself, dear reader, you may never take Bible reading for granted again!

[Aisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Cavanaugh really developed his craft of writing more from the first book to this book. I think it was just so much better and I was excited to see that the book was a more developed story and his style was better.
I love the story between the husband and wife (main character) and how it brought to life the period in history where heretics - those possessing an English version of the Bible - were burned at the stake.
What these Christians went through to being the word of God to all people in England was truly a calling on which they gambled their very lives.
It is worth reading!

[Padgy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd in the Book of Books Series. This one is about the Tyndale translation of the Bible. I loved Glimpses Of Truth and was so excited to start this one. It did not meet my expectations. It was filled with lots of historical facts around 1533 and King Henry the VIII's reign. I enjoyed the historical facts but the story line fell short for me. It was redundant. Continued to repeat the same things over and over again in different ways. Haha

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in the Book of Books Series. This one is about the Tyndale translation of the Bible. Pernell Foxe is a "heretic hunter"--he hunts down people who read the Tyndale translation of the Bible. However, what will he do when he finds out his own wife has gotten hold of one of the Bibles? Through Anne Bolyne, queen of England, no less.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book fascinated me! It is just unimaginable for us in the 21st Century to think about the Bible translated into English as being illegal to own. Then to think of all the repercussions from this law and it's penalty of death to those who dared to disobey it. It really affected me in a powerful way.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised. I was afraid this would be a slow read but I didn't want to put it down! A fictional story woven throughout but based on solid historical facts. Inspired me to want to read my Bible more for sure and to appreciate the freedom to do so!

[Megan Bevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended. I actually got it in a grocery store, but I'm so glad I discovered it!!!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Jessica Trapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing, intense situations, well-drawn characters. I enjoyed this book very, very much.

[Yana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I would recommend everyone out there to read this book.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read DEC 2001