Eberhard Bethge's exhaustive biography of Bonhoeffer is recognized throughout the world as the definitive biography. Victoria Barnett has now reviewed the entire translation for this edition, correcting hundreds of mistakes and omissions, and adding in sections from the German, for example, on Bonhoeffer's childhood, that have never before appeared in English.
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"Some words Gorky used about Tolstoy come into my mind: 'Look what a wonderful man is living on this earth!' . . . Bethge has produced a monumental study of him which will surely stand as the definitive and authoritative work on the subject. Reading . . . it is a spiritual experience." -- - --Malcolm Muggeridge, The Observers
About the Author
Eberhard Bethge was born in 1909 in Warchau, and attended the universities of Knigsberg, Berlin, Wien, Tbingen and Halle, receiving the Doctor of Divinity degree. From 1935 to 1940 he assisted Dietrich Bonhoeffer at the preacher's seminary in Finkenwalde and, after the Gestapo closed the seminary, in the underground pastorates. In 1953 he became pastor of the German congregation in London. He remained therre until 1961, except for one year 1957--1958) spent as visiting lecturer at Havard Divinity School. In 1962 he was awarded an honorary degree of D.D. at Glasgow University. From 1961 until his retirement in 1975 he was director of the Institute of Continuing Education for Ministers of the Evangelical church of the Rhineland in Rengsdorf. In 1966 he was Visiting Professor at Chicago Theological Seminary and in 1976 was Fosdick Professor at Union Seminary, New York.
A close friend and relative of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's, he edited Ethics and Letters and Papers from Prison, and is the author of Bonhoeffer: Exile and Martyr. He is also the editor of the German edition of Bonhoeffer's Collected Works, now being published in translation by Fortress Press. Eberhard Bethge's exhaustive biography of Bonhoeffer is recognized throughout the world as the definitive biography.
Victoria J. Barnett (Editor), a Bonhoeffer scholar, edited and revised this volume in 1998.
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100 of 100 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
About 20 years ago, I read an older translation of this biography. Then, as now, a reader cannot help but be impressed by the thorough and meticulous scholarship that went into its preparation. Because of its size and scope (900+ pages), it may be somewhat daunting to new readers who may be just now encountering Bonhoeffer. However, given the nature of his literary output (Bonheoffer was still a young man when he died, and many of his ideas exist only in limited or underdeveloped forms), this in-depth look at the man and his motivations by the individual who probably knew him best is essential to an informed understanding of his work. For Bonhoeffer admirers, it doesn't get any better than this.
88 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In this work, Bonhoeffer's student and friend brought me closer to Bonhoeffer than I thought possible. Previously, I had thought Letters and Papers From Prison was as close as I could get to understanding the "religionless" Christian -I was wrong. Bethge's opus gives an incisive look into the formation of Bonhoeffer the man and the theologian which sheds more light on his Christian fortitude in the Nazi tempest. I whole-heartedly recommend this work for it has been an inspiration to me as a human being as well as a student of theology
72 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eberhard Bethge was Dietrich Bonhoeffer's closest friend and the lifelong editor and interpreter of his life and writings. For the first time we now have the completely unabridged biography in a revised and updated English translation. This is not only a classic of twentieth century biography; it also addresses key issues not only of German and European history, World War II, and the Holocaust but also, through Bonhoeffer's theology, the church and modernity. It sharply poses the question of authentic Christian life. A big book and a challenging read!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
This is not a book for the faint of heart or for someone who just wants a little information about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Eberhard Bethge was Dietrich Bonhoeffer's dearest friend. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Suzanne Field-Rabb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy reading, requiring focus, but well worth it!
Bonhoeffer is/was a master at a minister's twin callings: Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Larry C
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent read
Written by a friend, this book contains very detailed and personal information on Bonhoeffer's life. I wasn't expecting such a huge volume, nor so much detail. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Willie Lieske
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kindred spirits
I purchased this book for a friend because it is a classic. Dietrich is an inspiration to those who suffer yet continue to abide in deep faith.
Published 12 months ago by Michele
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the Bonhoeffer biography you want to read
No one has done more to remind the world of the life and witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer than Eberhard Bethge. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Alan K
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mr.
Order was filled quickly and arrived in excellent condition. Got exactly what I expected, and am fully satisfied.
Published on July 22, 2010 by james w schneider
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Definitive Bonhoeffer Biography
Bethge was Bonhoeffer's closest friend and colleague.He devoted his life to bringing Bonhoeffer to the world's attention. Read more
Published on March 27, 2006 by Benjamin T. Griffin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bonhoeffer: Man For His Times & Ours
Upon starting this book I knew very little about Bonhoeffer; I had read some of Ethics and I knew of his murder by the Gestapo. Read more
Published on July 7, 2005 by Daniel Pierson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christian Fortitude
An outstanding, detailed and gripping story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Christian fortitude. Eberhard Bethge's exquisitely detailed knowledge and references about Bonhoeffer's life,... Read more
Published on July 22, 2004 by R. A Brandt
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