Martin Luther

Routledge Historical Biographies

by Michael A. Mullett

'Attractively-written, wise and judicious, with touches of engaging wit. It is now the best introduction to Luther in English.' - Diarmaid MacCulloch, University of Oxford

This important biography portrays Luther, his concerns and his achievements with clarity and verve, and provides a comprehensive introduction for students, general readers and those seeking to understand the roots of the continuing discords in modern Christianity. Self-aware yet violently prejudiced, bigoted yet inspiring, Luther is presented here with unflinching candour and honesty.

Genres: History, Biography

308 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2004

About the author

Michael A. Mullett is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Lancaster, UK, where he taught history for 40 years, prior to official retirement in 2008.

Reviews

[withdrawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A generally well written, intelligent, well researched book. There is a great deal of information to be found here including good explanation of the ideas of both Luther and his critics. My only real criticism with Mullett's style is his tendency at times to psychologize. The worst example of this occurs towards the end of the book where the author suggests that Luther's final journey "...May have had some of the character of a suicide mission arising out of a self-judgement for failure." There is little in the text to support this suggestion. I felt something of a sense of embarrassment for the author upon reading it.

Most of my reading of this book has been done in Buenos Aires, a city still deep in the cult of the Catholic Church. Seeing people here participating in deeply felt acts which are based less on theological beliefs than they are on little more than superstition, does make me wonder what all the fuss was about almost 500 years ago and why so many died. But then, sadly, people continue to suffer and die throughout the world in support of little understood religious nonsense.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is yet another Luther biography really necessary? Perhaps not, but this one is a good read, and I always find the life of the Blessed Reformer fascinating.