Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther Paperback – Illustrated, August 6, 2013

Well written and very informative. This is one of the very few books that I couldn’t put down. I found this book so interesting that I couldn’t wait for the work day to end so I could go home and read some more of it which I do believe was due not only to how well it was written but to how incredibly interesting his life was. It would almost certainly have to have been interesting since he was the one who practically launched the Reformation. I’ve watched a couple of programs about Martin Luther and this book answered questions that those programs left me with. I’ve been a Christian for 30+ years and this is the first time that I’ve read a biography of ML and I now realize that I was much poorer for not doing so. My previous knowledge about ML was rather superficial and only now do I realize that there was so much more that was significant as to what he has done and how he affected his time and afterwards. Well worth the five star rating!

This, the Abington Press book is the edition of this book you should buy. The book is generally accepted as the definitive biography of Martin Luther, the one you should read first. And I don't mean that it is better written than the other offerings of this book by Bainton. IT IS BETTER PRINTED!I borrowed a copy of Bainton's classic book from my local library. After only a few pages I realized that it was a book I wanted to buy and also that I couldn't read my library's copy of the book. The text and the illustrations were not sharp. My old eyes were hurting and couldn't keep reading. Was it bad "plates", poor printing or low grade paper? Doesn't matter. The type looks fuzzy and is hard to read. Bainton deserves better and so do we, his readers.Luckily another comment mentioned this so I ordered this edition. It cost no more than the blurry not-Abington edition.

I have a fascination with Martin Luther and have been studying his works (and their impact) quite a bit over the last few years. This is not the newest biography of Luther, but it is one which has been a standard for several decades and it does a solid job giving a good overview of the man and much of his life. One of the greatest benefits of a biography of such a prolific and influential writer is how it can help situate their works within the context which birthed them, and Bainton does a decent job of that with some of Luther's most influential works.This book definitely had a more religious reader in mind, and it does delve decently into Luther's theology. While Bainton does an excellent job highlighting major themes and even quoting Luther throughout the book, he does not provide adequate citation (at least for scholarly purposes, as several times I wanted to look up quotes or excerpts in their broader context).But for the purposes of introducing one to an overview of Luther's life, helping situate his works within the context of that life, and assisting in grasping the overarching man that Luther was, it does a solid job. The reading was not always easy, though there were sections which I found myself reading more quickly through than others...there were times I struggled not to doze off as I read. A solid biography and does a good job with its subject, albeit a bit of a slog at times.

I started to re-read an old paperback version of this book on my bookshelf - remembering how much I enjoyed it years ago. When I was half way through, the book began to fall apart. By then, I was thoroughly absorbed in the well-written story. I decided I better get a fresh copy. I am not a religious person, but I am interested in courageous people who have changed history, and Martin Luther is one of those people. Also, I was curious: why had Martin Luther King Jr. been named for this man?The book chronicles Martin Luther's life-long challenge to the Catholic Church, the many obstacles in his way, and the careful thought he put into his own interpretation of the New Testament - and the teachings of Jesus. The Catholic Church during Luther's time controlled all of Europe, essentially through the widespread fear of hell, and the rule of priests and bishops who stood between each person and God/salvation. The Church sold "indulgences" to everyone, from rich Princes to poor peasants. The indulgences promised that salvation could be purchased with stipulated amounts of money. With the money, the Church built huge cathedrals, bought extensive property, and gathered wealth to Rome.Luther set out to challenge this "rule by fear" and also the church rituals that separated each person from a direct connection with God. Challenging this kind of power and corruption took enormous courage, and MLK Jr.'s parents must have had this in mind when they named their son several centuries later. Both men defied enormous power, and the rule of fear.Another interesting connection with our time is the challenge Martin Luther made to "celibacy." As a monk, Luther lived into his middle years celibate (we presume). However, he concluded in mid-life that Jesus did not require men to be celibate, quite the contrary. Following his own conclusions, Martin Luther married and had many children, and seemed to enjoy life as a family man. Monasteries emptied where Protestantism prevailed. It will be interesting to see if the Catholic Church revisits this question in our modern times.I loved this hardback edition. The text and many woodcut illustrations are a joy to look at. The book itself is a classic. The story is well written, and fascinating. This is what a book used to be, and can still be.

This is hands down the most detailed and ganging Luther biography out there. The author has done a great work here in historical accuracy as well as reader engagement. This is a hard book to set down. He does a great job of examining the context around the reformation and gives great background and insight to many important figures! 100% recommend.