SAINTS AND VILLAINS. [Paperback]

Denise. Giardina (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: NORTON. NY 1997 (1997)
• ASIN: B0014ZYAM4
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insight into one of great theologians of century, November 19, 1999

By 

Ellen Feliciano ([e-mail]) (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saints and Villains (Audio Cassette)

This is a heavily biographical novel about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a noted German theologian and martyr. This book gives significant insight into Bonhoeffer's personality and to the events that shaped him. It also paints a grim picture of the onset of World War II and the mentality of Germany and England at the time. This book shows Bonhoeffer's human side as well as the strong character for which he is famous. It clearly outlines the struggles he went through on his faith journey, and the fortitude with which he faced prison and death for his beliefs. This is an emminently readable book, and I highly recommend it. It was one of those books you hate to see end.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful account of one's man heroic response to hitler!, September 14, 2001

By 

Jonathan Robbins "Jonathan Robbins" (Redwood City, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saints and Villains (Fawcett Book) (Paperback)

This book is several things. First, it is the story of a heroic man's struggle to do his part to fight the evil that he knew existed in Germany during World War Two. Second, it is a story of a boy growing into a man, imperfections and all. Third, it is about the development of one man's soul and sense of purpose. Finally, it is the story of Germany, of a country as it descends into an abyss.

The book is extremely well written. It introduces us to an "inside" view of Hitler's rise to power and Germany's response to it. We meet our hero as a boy, and watch as he grows into a man. We follow him through school, through his search for self and meaning. The main character is undoubtedly a hero, but not in a story-book sense. He is - like all of us - not a perfect being. He has trouble with relationships. He has fear - great fear. He has uncertainty. But that makes his heroism all the more striking.

Bonhoffer is from a very wealthy, famous German family. He is safe - had he sat back and kept quiet, there is little doubt that he would have made it through the war untouched. Yet, he rises to the occasion. The story is fascinating in its unique perspective - this man, from this very German family, gives us a glimpse of how Germany descended into insanity. We watch as he struggles with his own doubts, his own feelings of frustration and anger, and as he struggles with doing what is right versus fighting against his own country and government. It is simply gripping to read.

The writing is clear and crisp and filled with meaning. The story literally flows... you will find yourself unable to put the book down. Read this book and watch and as an incredible man faces danger and fear, and rises above it. A great read!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction (only) to the life of Bonhoeffer., July 6, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Saints and Villains (Fawcett Book) (Paperback)

Great introduction into the life of a facinating man, but seriously lacking in portraying an acurate sense of his beliefs. Read "Letters and Papers from Prison" to find out how this modern man really understood the connection between a truly Christ centered life while living through the nadir of human existence as represented by Nazi Germany. I don't believe that this book comes close to understanding Bonhoeffer's theology and faith. Giardina seems to filter his theology through a 90's social/cultural perspective. What's left is only a shallow portrayal of this man of faith. The value of the book to me is that it made me want to know more. Still, it was a very good read, providing an interesting sense of the insidiouness of Nazism in Germany in the 1930s. Check out the Bonhoeffer home page for more about this modern saint.