Book Details:
- Format: Hardcover
- Publication Date: 7/31/2004
- Pages: 32
- Reading Level: Age 3 and Up
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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By L.P.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Beautiful picture book highlighting the important events in Luther's life, and why the Reformation was the result. Great resource for introducing the subject to kids, but would disagree with the recommended age -- the vocabulary used and Luther's belief in the concept of grace (a person can't "earn" their way to heaven) a bit over the head of younger kids (4-6), altho they still will pick up on basic story. My experience with reading this to kids is that even those a bit older (8-10) will enjoy, and probably come away with a better grasp of the importance of Luther's life and teachings. I like that the author also touches on the fact that for all Luther's greatness, a few of his opinions (I believe much later in his life) weren't necessarily favorable -- allowing you to respect his genius without making him a "saint". Not at all "preachy" -- just a good overview of the story and Luther's beliefs. A book all Lutherans should read, but also important and interesting to those of other denominatons or just interested in history, as Luther's ideas ended up having an effect on many aspects of society (education, politics, banking, etc. -- you'll have to go beyond this book to discover why) which benefit us still today.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I came across this book while looking for other homeschooling books here at Amazon. Well, I ordered it and was extremely pleased! At Amazon you couldn't look through it like other books on-line so I took a chance and bought it. So glad I did. It almost brought tears to my eyes while reading it...knowing the strong, resolute faith Luther exhibited during a time when execution by the church was not an unknown practice. Truly a man of God who stood steadfast and unwavering in his beliefs and helped turn the tide against the church practices of his time. A great read and highly recommended.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Paul Maier presents an accessible tribute to Martin Luther, the brilliant and charismatic leader who sparked the Protestant Reformation. This biography, geared to an elementary and upper-elementary audience, focuses not so much on Luther's theology as on his personal faith, his experience of grace and his opposition to certain Catholic teachings. The story, although even-handed, is told from a Protestant perspective, emphasizing Luther's positive qualities and accomplishments, while leaving out all of his faults.
One might wish the author had explicitly laid out a summary of the Five Solas of the Reformation, but his emphasis on the man's personal story is probably appropriate for a young audience who may not be able to grasp doctrinal distinctions, but who can appreciate his influence on the present church. The book concludes with a statement that Luther's
greatest gift of all was to find in God's Word the answer to the question that had tormented him as a monk: "What must I do to win God's forgiveness for my sins?" The Bible showed him that God had already done it all for him by sending Christ, whose suffering and death paid the penalty for sin and whose resurrection would be shared by all who had faith in Him.
Luther's great accomplishment, says Maier, is that he changed the way many Christians understand the Gospel as revealed through Scripture.
While Maier's text is readable and interesting, it is nearly overshadowed by Copeland's arresting paintings, which give Luther a compelling, fire-eaten look. His scene of Luther on the road to Wartburg, especially, evokes a mysterious medieval mood somehow reminiscent of Robin Hood -- Luther hardly appears to be the stodgy theologian he might otherwise be to a young child.
One hindrance to reading aloud is that the text contains several German personal- and place-names, without a pronunciation guide. Below is my best approximation of pronunciation, with some help from my German-speaking friend Karl-Dieter Crisman.
Eisleben - Ice-LAY-ben
Magdeburg - MAHG-deh-burg
Eisenach - EYE-zuh-nach (ch something like Scottich loch)
Erfurt - ER-foort
SHTOW-pits (like an owie, not a towtruck)
Tetzel - TET-sul
Cajetan - KADZH-uh-tuhn
LIE-psig (like telling a lie)
Wartburg - VART-burg
Melanchthon - Meh-LANK-tohn
One might wish the author had explicitly laid out a summary of the Five Solas of the Reformation, but his emphasis on the man's personal story is probably appropriate for a young audience who may not be able to grasp doctrinal distinctions, but who can appreciate his influence on the present church. The book concludes with a statement that Luther's
greatest gift of all was to find in God's Word the answer to the question that had tormented him as a monk: "What must I do to win God's forgiveness for my sins?" The Bible showed him that God had already done it all for him by sending Christ, whose suffering and death paid the penalty for sin and whose resurrection would be shared by all who had faith in Him.
Luther's great accomplishment, says Maier, is that he changed the way many Christians understand the Gospel as revealed through Scripture.
While Maier's text is readable and interesting, it is nearly overshadowed by Copeland's arresting paintings, which give Luther a compelling, fire-eaten look. His scene of Luther on the road to Wartburg, especially, evokes a mysterious medieval mood somehow reminiscent of Robin Hood -- Luther hardly appears to be the stodgy theologian he might otherwise be to a young child.
One hindrance to reading aloud is that the text contains several German personal- and place-names, without a pronunciation guide. Below is my best approximation of pronunciation, with some help from my German-speaking friend Karl-Dieter Crisman.
Eisleben - Ice-LAY-ben
Magdeburg - MAHG-deh-burg
Eisenach - EYE-zuh-nach (ch something like Scottich loch)
Erfurt - ER-foort
SHTOW-pits (like an owie, not a towtruck)
Tetzel - TET-sul
Cajetan - KADZH-uh-tuhn
LIE-psig (like telling a lie)
Wartburg - VART-burg
Melanchthon - Meh-LANK-tohn
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
I am a homeschooling mom and used this with my 7 yr old as we covered the Reformation. The illustrations were great the story very clear and easy to understand, yet detailed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars
Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World
This book was marvelous. It traces Martin Luther's life from his birth to his death. It covers his education, life style, "Here I Stand" speech, excommunication, marriage, "Table... Read more
Published 6 months ago by pwnny whistle
3.0 out of 5 stars
NOT Neutral in Tone
Martin Luther A Man Who Changed the World is written from a very conservative Protestant tone. This book is not for you if your family is Catholic, because you would probably be... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jennifer Bardsley
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT!!!
This book was perfect for the price!. Seems very simple to read and understand. I am a Bible instructor and am totally amazed at how this book could help children with it being... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ernest
1.0 out of 5 stars
A dramatization
In reading this story, I felt that the author did a good job of portraying the traditional Lutheran view of the man Martin Luther. Read more
Published 21 months ago by T. Selgrade
5.0 out of 5 stars
Biography of a Major Historical Figure
If you are going to teach history to your children, there can be little doubt that Martin Luther is a major historical figure. Read more
Published on May 2, 2011 by Marco Antonio Abarca
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Intro to Luther
I found this to be completely appropriate for our children, ages 4 & 5. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is a wonderful introduction (even for non-Lutherans) to the... Read more
Published on January 13, 2009 by R. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful!
I happened to come across this book and am very pleased with it. The illustrations are just beautiful and the hard bounding is sure to make it a treasured book. Read more
Published on August 15, 2008 by Trinity Diodore
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine introduction to Martin Luther, enjoyable for both adults and...
Paul L. Maier is Professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University. His areas of research include manuscript and text analysis, archaeology, and the comparison of... Read more
Published on April 14, 2008 by Shaun Tabatt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Many of the major consequences of Luther's actions are not mentioned
Martin Luther was indeed a man who changed the world. When he posted the list of 95 theses on the door of a church, he started a massive movement that led to a series of... Read more
Published on July 20, 2006 by Charles Ashbacher
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