5 comments about Oscar Romero: Reflections on His Life and Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series).

1. As a biography, this book is a mere introduction - but a good one. Latino country boy works as carpenter, enters seminary, studies in Rome, becomes priest, lives comfortable and respectable life of cleric hobnobbibng with the elite of El Salvador, becomes Archbishop of San Salvador, loses priest-friend to assassination, has conversion experience, condemns elite for oppressing the poor, loses support of elite and fellow Bishops, is assassinated while saying Mass for cancer patients, and is proclaimed a saint by his oppressed poor.

   As a story of a conversion experience and life thereafter, it is an outstanding and soul-stirring book. Dramatic conversions are not new. St. Paul had one. Constantine had one. Both changed the world. Romero had one and, once again, the world will never be the same.

   Romero's conversion makes this book possible. The authors' skill makes it exciting. Romero, a moderately conservative Catholic Bishop, friend of his country's oppressive economic, social, military, and ruling elite, is installed as Archbishop of San Salvador. Warmly welcomed by this elite, he is opposed by the oppressed poor who view him not as a friend of the oppressed but as a supporter of the oppressor. Within weeks of his installation, his friend, Father Grande (supporter of the poor and oppressed), is assassinated by this elite. Big mistake! Romero begins his conversion experience.

   He joins the oppressed poor. They become his spiritual sustenance. In his commitment to them he finds the Sacred. His spirituality increases. His mysticism deepens. He becomes a prophet. He is an outcast from the elite and from his fellow Bishops. He enters his dark night of the soul and emerges from it finding God not in the desert cave, or the isolated monastery, or in the stained glass cathedral, but among his tortured and suffering poor. There he finds the sacred, the spirit of God.

   This is the message of Romero. It is the message which this book conveys with such power, clarity, and depth. It is an onion book whose layers can be peeled back to satisfy every category of reader: the intellectual, the casual seeker of information, the mother at home in her kitchen, the subway rider on the way to work, the solitary monk or nun, the activist in the street, the powerful of the world, and the ecclesiastic in the church. It is a book that will leave no reader unchanged.




2. Amazing! When a man takes the plain words of Jesus to heart, when he preaches them and practices them, the poor flock to him, and the powerful fear, despise, and execute him.

   "The poor are a sacrament who can transform our lives if we are willing to open ourselves to them, to accompany them." (p. 14)

   This book briefly outlines the story of Oscar Romero, his message, and his death. It touches on the violence and injustice taking place in El Salvador. It contrasts the Christian commitmen to life with the Capitalist/materialist commitment to death. The book cites his writings and journals on nearly every page. These passages touched my heart deeply.

   But, this book was week on discussion about =HOW= Romero converted to the poor. I would have liked to know more about that--this was the primary reason I purchased the book, and I felt disappointed that it seemed to take a back seat to Romero's teachings and praxis.

   "There is nothing pretty about Christian hope. Whatever Chiristian hope is, it begins in terror and utter disorientation in the face of the collapse in all that is familiar ... It is no longer the hope of a rescue, but a fixed surety of that which is not seen, where there seems to be no way out, and where death and its system seem absolutely dominant; and it is this fixed surety of that which is not seen which empowers us to the forging of a counterhistory to that of the domination of death." (p. 84)

   As Romero's story is told, he is held up as a christ figure, walking in the steps of his Master, proclaiming the gospel of the poor, to the poor, rebuking the powerful, and finally, executed at the altar during mass.

   If only this book sold like "The Jabez Prayer" or some of the other, shallow, Christian best-sellers. That would reflect a transformation of mind and heart, one that is sorely needed in a land that condemned Clinton's sexual escapades, but not his policies of economic and structural injustice.

   Five stars for broad coverage of Romero's thought. Four stars for telling the man's story--I wanted to feel how he wrestled through the issue of conversion to the poor, how he wrestled through his inevitable martyrdom.

   (If you'd like to comment on this review or discuss the book more, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me an email. Thanks!)




3. OSCAR ROMERO: Reflections on His Life and Writings is a slim volume written by three American scholars expert in and inspired by the new care for the poor in the Latin American church for which the martyred bishop worked. It is published by Maryknoll's Orbis Books, which is known for its many titles in support of liberation theology. This loosely-knit series of reflections by Marie Dennis, Renny Golden, and Scott Wright is no mere biography, but rather approaches a traditional hagiography.
   
   The focus of the book is on Romero's work and illustrated by numerous quotations from his writings and homilies. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to see that the authors kept his life in context by briefly mentioning some of his contemporaries among the disadvantaged of El Salvador. The mention of murdered NGO workers or continually victimized campesinos shows the repressed people for which he gave his life.
   
   I found two facets of the book unsatisfying, however. The first is that there is a great deal of needless repetition; I feel that the book could have benefitted from tighter editing. I was also disappointed to see that only the English translation of passages from Romero was provided. Romero was an excellent rhetorician--that is why his homilies continue to inspire--but one can enjoy them best in the original language, so the Spanish should have been represented here.
   
   For those who want to know what all the fuss is about in the remembrance of Romero's martyrdom and why his memory continues to give hope to the poor of El Salvador and Christians around the world, this is a book worth reading for a simple explanation of the archbishop's piety. A more serious theological study can be found in Jon Sobrino's ARCHBISHOP ROMERO: Memories and Reflections.



4. Dennis, Golden, and Wright offer an informative and interesting biography with "Oscar Romero: Reflections on His Life and Writings" (2000). Originally penned to persuade Roman Catholic officials toward canonization of Archbishop Romero, this small book (only 127 paperback pages) provides a necessary witness for a great man's extraordinary life.
   
   Introducing Romero with his birth (in an El Salvadoran barrio in 1917) the authors tells of his training and ordination (in 1942 Rome), and his quick rise through church ranks to the arch-episcopacy during the turbulent era of 1970s Central America. The authors witness his saintly qualities and his pursuit of holy living. They regard him as a 20th century prophet whose life was a symbol for the struggle of the Meso-American poor. Romero's life is characterized as "the mystery of faith and God's grace as well as...the mystery of betrayal and evil". Archbishop Romero "tried to make the world see the value of every human life".
   
   The authors explain Archbishop Romero's theology through each of the book's 5 chapters. The centrality of the poor, the historical demand of the Gospel, and the testimony of the martyrs provide the principle basis for his Christo-centric accompaniment theology. Romero's call to the universal church is to offer itself to the poor. His invitation resulted in the inevitable clash between the "haves" and the "have-nots". In the end everyone lost something (the Archbishop lost his life).
   
   After various unfruitful public confrontations with the corrupt (U.S. backed) Salvadoran government, Archbishop Romero decides, in 1977, to challenge its avarice, greed, and human rights violations. He formally requests the secession of U.S. aid, he preaches against repression, and he publicly invites the western media to see his country's plight. With his own bishops opposing him, Romero is reminded that a prophet always stands alone. Gunned down during worship, by government soldiers in 1980, Romero's life became a cry for Central American social realignment. (This calls to reform remains yet to be heard by many south of the Rio Grande.)
   
   Unfortunately, the authors only glance over Romero's writings. They offer signifcant research (with 7 pages of endnotes) into the Archbishop's sermons, books, and college lectures. Several notable theologians and church colleagues are also quoted about Romero's life and influence. (By book's end, I wondered as a non Roman Catholic what the hold-up is for Romero's canonization.)
   
   "Oscar Romero" is a poignant and gripping read. It tells a story a few others do. This book is recommendable to all students of Central America, church history buffs, and as a class text. Its story should never be forgotten.



5. While living in Central America during the 1990s I came into contact with the writings of Oscar Romero,many biographies of his life and work, and writing about his writings. As I read this book of Reflections on His Life and Writings I was once again inspired by Romeo's life, thought and writings. I would like to quote a line from the Introduction that I believe is important to understanding Romer's life- "he discovered a God who was emeshed in the ordinary, messy, conflictive struggle of the Salvadoran people." Oscar Romero represents another side of Catholicism that is often forgotten and ignored in favor of more anteseptic forms of thought and practice. I highly recommend this book for all those seeking a spirituality for living in the world as Christian people.

5 comments about Jews Who Rock.

1. This book has short profiles of Jews in rock n roll. One reviewer accurately set forth many serious omissions including two great Jays, Jay Segal of the Tokens and Jay Black of Jay and the Americans. I also noticed that the great producer for Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler was not listed. This book includes very short profiles with little substance. Therefore, this book is not much more than a list.

   I found a profile of Carny Wilson interesting in which the author stated she is Jewish on her father's side. Really? Since when is Brian Wilson of the Beachboys Jewish?? Also, people who have some Jewish blood from their father's side but never lived as Jews are included so, the definition of a Jew is stretched. The book was a good idea but, it just doesn't cut it.




2. I have not read the book. I leafed through it in a book store. What can I add that others haven't already said. The one page bios are superficial and there are many mistakes and omissions.

   I response to the reviewer who said that Iggy is Jewish. Well he isn't. I read his autobiography about 12 years ago. I think he said his father was an orphan who had been adopted by a non-practicing Jewish family. But he wasn't brought up Jewish. Iggy isn't Jewish by decent, upbringing or in any other way except in name (James Newell OSTERBERG) You can hear various anti-Semitic remarks in live and `unofficial' recordings of the Stooges.




3. After having received this book as a gift, one wonders how much griping is allowable. Nonetheless, after having skimmed through the book and after having read the entry on Bob Dylan, it gave me good pause. Since there were multiple errors on Dylan's one page, it naturally made me ask the question, "How many other errors might abound?" I am not proposing that the book should be error-free (no book is), but after having read some of the reviews, it's clear that someone should take the responsibility (Guy Oseary? or maybe his editor or researcher? or maybe the publisher?) for the many errors that fill its pages.

   I'll simply point out the errors on the Dylan page. The singer did not graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1959 (nor any other university). He graduated from his high school, Hibbing High, in 1959, and then merely attended the Univ. of Minn. for a few semesters. And Dylan's second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" didn't come out in 1962 (it was 1963). Additionally, to say Dylan's songs "extolled the use of certain drugs" and to use "Rainy Day Women #12&35" as an example ("everybody must get stoned"), oversimplifies things; the lyrics to this song are actually quite rich (despite them being made almost cliche because of radio overplay and overplay in concert) but Dylan has denied--on more than one occasion--writing "drug songs." In one interview he mentioned it was hard enough to write songs without making it harder [through drugs].

   After referencing the 1966 era, we're then told that Dylan "toured and recorded tirelessly" for the next 30 years. Really? Most fans will vividly recall when Dylan did not embark on a single tour from 1967-1973; he also abstained from touring in 1977, 1982-1983 and 1985.

   And the "Never-Ending Tour" is listed as "1988-1996" which is odd. Dylan's touring didn't stop in 1996 (this book was published in 2001), it has continued to this day, i.e., "1988-2002."

   As for the book's statement that "Bob took his adopted name from poet Dylan Thomas," this too isn't factual. Dylan has denied this on a number of occasions and others close to Dylan have corroborated his denial although the exact origins of the name are not entirely clear (typical Dylan).

   We are also informed that Dylan was involved with the Lubavitch movement in Jerusalem in 1984. But this is the wrong location, and year. He studied with the Lubavitchers in Brooklyn in 1983.

   And then there's the matter-of-fact statement that Dylan "explored various religions outside of Judaism, to which he ultimately returned." In 1979-1981, Dylan did more than "explore" Jesus (and he still sings about Jesus, for whatever reason, to this day). He also has never announced his departure from or return to Judaism. In typical contrarion fashion, Dylan quoted a biblical passage from the Hebrew Scriptures on his 1980 album, "Saved." And then in 1984, the year after he studied with the Lubavitchers, Dylan was asked if he thought the Old and New Testaments were equally valid. He replied, "To me." (Rolling Stone interview with Kurt Loder). Dylan has participated in the Lubavitchers' Chabad telethons (1986, 1989 & 1991) but has also continued to sing songs from the "Slow Train/Saved."

   Even with all the religion hububb aside, it seems that for all I've pointed out it could've been a case of my having scoured through a full-length book...but it was, again, only a one-page entry on Dylan! And there were many errors, so buyer beware.

   Maybe one day we'll have an updated, mostly corrected edition and some quotes from the artists on the significance of their rich cultural heritage.




4. Thanks to Maroon 5's Adam Levine and superstars Evan & Jaron...isn't about time this book gets updated? HAPPY HANUKKAH!



5. finally found a great B'nai mitzvah book that all kids like. This little book is really packed with info on famous musicians who happen to be Jewish. Our whole family enjoyed it!

5 comments about Blessed Miguel Pro: 20Th-Century Mexican Martyr.

1. BLESSED MIGUEL PRO--20th-Century Mexican Marytr. Ann Ball (author of Modern Saints). 119 Pp. PB. 48 Illus. Fast-paced true Catholic adventure story of the famous young Jesuit who was executed in1927 for the "crime" of being a Catholic priest. His underground ministry via bicycle, narrow escapes, great sense of humor and saintly heart. A gripping and inspiring story for all ages!



2. Thank you Ann Ball for bringing to life for us this beautiful saint in such a beautiful way. Truly inspiring.



3. The life of this great martyr and St is filled with so much laughter, danger, fun and excitement. It tells the story of a brave young man that dodged the police in the time of the persecution in Mexico to bring the Sacrements to the dying. His life ends in the most heroic way, after serving God and man on earth, he became a martyr for Christ. He is a shining example of what a true Christian should be. He is my hero. His life is so humorous and exciting you won't be able to put the book down. This is definitely the greatest book. I would recommend it for everyone, young and old.



4. I enjoyed reading this book so much because my father had talked to me about that era in Mexico. What a beautiful person Miguel Pro was. This would make a great movie! A lot is written for such a small book. Couldn't put it down.



5. Miguel Pro was one of the greatest priests of his country and of the Catholic Church. Refusing to go to exile in another country, he stayed in Mexico City and helped countless souls with the Sacraments of the Church.
   
   The book is brief but very informative about his life. I hoped that one day he will be canonized a saint.
   
   Viva Cristo Rey!

4 comments about Meet Solanus Casey : Spiritual Counselor and Wonder Worker.

1. This is one of three or four biographies of the Capuchin holy man, but it is far the best for the common reader. It is written by a friar who had a long association with him, and is therefore very personal. You truly feel that you have gotten to know Fr. Solanus as a person, not just as a miracle worker or a phenomenon. The amount of theological discourse is small and never confusing. I am recommending it to all, even to the more sophisticated reader.



2. I have visited just about every state in the Union, and I am constantly amazed at how many people have heard of Fr. Solanus Casey. A native of Wisconsin, one of 16 children of a devout Irish Catholic family, Fr. Solanus entered the Capuchin Order and spent the rest of his life listening to people's problems and praying for the healing of their bodies and their spirits. His cause for canonization is currently pending in Rome.
   Several fine biographies of Fr. Solanus have already been written. "Meet Solanus Casey" is unique in that it is written by one who lived with him in community and was his personal friend, Brother Leo Wollenweber. Brother Leo draws on the rich documentation available about Fr. Solanus, but he also adds so many anecdotes and personal reflections that are not found elsewhere. The result is a warm, intimate portrait of a man who inspired faith in God in so many people. Readers will also appreciate the appendix entitled "Wisdom from Fr. Solanus"--a collection of brief sayings selected from his letters and diaries.
   "Meet Solanus Casey" is a gracious introduction to the life of this happy and loving Servant of God.



3. Do you ever feel insignificant, or that your little life doesn't make a difference? Well, "Meet Solanus Casey"! His life proved that even the smallest person among us can change the world by just being himself. Born of poor Irish farmers, Solanus (Barney) did so poorly in his studies for the priesthood that he merely attained "simplex" status. In his latter years, 400 people a day would line up to counsel with him - so great was his love and his impact on his fellow man. Be inspired by the love of this little friar and believe that you, too can change the world.



4. I received the book, Meet Solanus Casey, in a very short time after ordering it. The book is in perfect condition. Thank you very much

1 comments about A Monk In The Inner City: The ABCs of a Spiritual Journey.

1. An 'urban monk' offers up meditations on dying, living, and religious sense in A MONK IN THE INNER CITY: THE ABCS OF A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY. Juxtaposing spiritual insights with the input of others in society, Mary Lou Kownacki's survey is an excellent addition to any spirituality library, especially those offering meditations for change.

3 comments about For Kirk and Covenant: The Stalwart Courage of John Knox (Leaders in Action Series).

1. I have read 3 or 4 biographies of Knox in the past ten years. Stanford Reid's *Trumpter of God* is considered the standard. But Wilson's is by far the most engaging.
   
   I am not a Wilson fan at all. But this is a good read.
   
   Wilson has not attempted a comprehensive biography. Instead he hits the milestones and highlights what made Knox one of the most interesting figures in Western history. WIlson seems to have relied primarily on 2 or 3 sources and has little to no familiarity with the bulk of the scholarly literature on Knox, but this matters little for the scope of this work.
   
   Wilson makes contemporary, practical applications from Knox's that the reader will find very challenging.



2. A great reformer written from an honest perspective, well aware of our own culure... another great one for young and old alike!



3. For Kirk and Covenant is an easy book to pick up and get a feel for John Knox--particularly his character. But I have not found the result of reading it to be that I feel that I really know and love the man himself. The book's short chapters (topically arranged) are engaging but paint a choppy picture of his life. Author Douglas Wilson's aim to display his godly character and leadership requires him to continually protect Knox from his critics--the result being an almost perfect picture of him in every chapter. I'll use For Kirk and Covenant as a supplementary reference, but I look forward to reading a more comprehensive chronological biography.

1 comments about Life Lessons from the Hiding Place: Discovering the Heart of Corrie Ten Boom.

1. Speaking from the authority of someone who lived and traveled with Corrie ten Boom, Pamela Rosewell Moore dived into archived papers and her own dear memories of Tante Corrie to provide this new work. At the heart of the material is 'how is Corrie relevant to today's Christian?' and how can I as an author show that to my readers? The depth of Pamela's experience with Brother Andrew and with Corrie ten Boom makes her a cherished author for every Christian reader.

5 comments about William Tyndale: A Biography (Yale Nota Bene).

1. This book covers the life of a man who was instrumental in bringing the English-speaking peoples of the world a copy of Holy Writ. The book is wonderfully written, although some trudging through the translation issues is necessary. It is worth the dig, though. On the other side of the road we see a man who knew what God wanted him to do and did it! I think anyone who is a believer or historian should read this monumental work. The courage, fortitude, and scholarship that Tyndale displayed should be an example to all who follow Jesus. I would also recommend the author's publications of Tyndale's New Testament and Pentateuch.



2. David Daniell's authoritative biography gives William Tyndale the recognition he deserves as the pioneer of the modern English Bible, and inadvertently, the writer of most of the King James or Authorized Translation. His contribution to the English language has been largely overlooked, and Daniell labors to correct that oversight. William Tyndale worked almost alone, unaided by his church, virtually exiled from his homeland, to translate the Bible from the original Greek (and later, Hebrew) into the English vernacular of the common working man, and at the risk and eventual cost of his life. Before Tyndale's affordable printed English New Testament, the only copies of the Bible available in England were either in Latin, which very few people understood, or a few copies of Wycliffe's Lollard Bible, an awkward handwritten version based on the Latin Vulgate.

   Tyndale bucked the incredible power of the 16th century church, burdened by its bias against a vernacular English translation, and showed outstanding scholarship in producing one the most remarkable Bible translations in the history of the English Bible. He was outspoken in courageously opposing both the official church policy and the hypocrisy of its clergy. He owed a great debt to Luther, yet, as Daniell so well demonstrates, he remained independent from Lutheran bias and dogma, despite the persecution he undeservedly received as a result of the prevailing anti-Lutheran (and anti-Lollard) sentiment.

   One area that the book clearly demonstrates is the bitter and virulent opposition to Tyndale from Thomas Moore - it transcended all reason, reducing the renowned scholar Moore ("A Man for all Seasons") into a foul-mouthed firebrand. History has painted Mr. Moore far tamer than his anti-Tyndale writings would indicate.

   The book is a treasure, and all students of textual transmission, and the history of the English language, owe a large debt of gratitude to Mr. Daniell. It does have a few weaknesses worth mentioning: the book gives us Tyndale the translator, but alas, Tyndale the man remains an enigma. This is not Daniell's fault, but the result of the dearth of biographical material on the man who so often lived and worked in clandestine anonymity. And one might well accuse Daniell of overstating his case from time to time, but I suppose history's oversight of Tyndale's true accomplishments may well merit the sometimes heavy-handed treatment.

   Overall, well worth the read, and one that you will come away from with a newfound appreciation for the faith and Christian humility of this great and largely overlooked scholastic genius.




3. David Daniell gives a most valuable treatment of William Tyndale (1494-1536), "the first person to translate the Bible into English from its original Greek and Hebrew and the first to print the Bible in English."
   
   Daniell provides a unique perspective on Tyndale, combining expertise in the history of the English Bible with an intimate familiarity with the development and usage of early English (Daniell's Ph.D. is in Shakespeare, whom he has written and taught on for many years). Having authored modern-spelling versions of Tyndale's New Testament and Tyndale's Old Testament, his familiarity with the details of Tyndale's translation techniques provide valuable insight into the work of this underappreciated contributor to the English Reformation and modern English Bible.
   
   Daniell discusses Tyndales achievement as biblical translator and expositor, analyses his writing, examines his stylistic influence on writers from Shakespeare to those of the twentieth century, and explores the reasons why he has not been more highly regarded.
   
   Like other biographies of Tyndale, Daniell provides detailed information--where it is available--concerning Tyndale's origin, his schooling, and the dates and events which comprise the history of his life. Unlike most other treatments of Tyndale, Daniell is positioned to delve into the details of Tyndale's translational work itself.
   
   Perhaps the most valuable contribution of this biography of Tyndale is the evidence it provides regarding Tyndale's capabilities as an exegete and translator--his craftsmanlike usage of both Hebrew and Greek at a time where in-depth knowledge of the original languages was hard to come by, especially in England.
   
   Daniell notes how Tyndale is often relegated as being secondary in importance to other more visible personalities on the stage at the time of the English Reformation:
   
   "Tyndale is today only known in some po0werful intellectual circles as an annoyance to the blessed Saint Thomas [More], clinging like a burr to the great man's coat, as if Tyndale's life were meaningless without More. Tyndale is indeed, sometimes cited first of all as 'opponent of Sir Thomas More', with the fact that he gave us our English Bible mentioned among the also-rans, as being of little account. That is absurd."
   
   Daniell's treatment of Tyndale does away with this inverted priority and establishes Tyndale as a talented craftsman, both theologically and philologically, among those whom God used to bring forth the Reformation. His contribution to the Reformation in England could hardly be overstated.
   
   Throughout Daniell's treatment of Tyndale, one sees a man who is dedicated to producing the Scriptures in the native tongue of his own land while consistently underestimating the negative reaction his work would engender:
   
   "It is possible for the late twentieth-century reader [of the first page of Tyndale's New Testament] to see it as unexceptional, even mild, and even rather over-obvious, and begin to patronise Tyndale. Yet the page, printed in English in 1525, contained high explosive. Inside the reasonableness of tone, stating the need for a New Testament in English as, to borrow a phrase, a truth universally acknowledged; a truth so obvious that it would be superfluous to explain, and only those who were blind or malicious or mad could deny it, as it would be mad to say that the Bible in English would cause evil, darkness and lying--inside that mildness was found an attack so dangerous that it could only be countered by the most vicious burnings, of books and men and women. These first sentences of Tyndale have a calm that suggests that Tyndale himself does not understand yet that his work, and he himself, will be answered with hatred and burning."
   
   Daniell spends considerable time examining the textual work of Tyndale in light of the sources available to him at the time: the Vulgate, the Septuagint, Luther's works, Erasmus' New Testament, and others. He makes a convincing case that Tyndale was not overly dependent upon these other works, but like any good translator, made use of them where and when it made good sense. He pays particular attention to various lines of evidence which show that Tyndale was not slavishly dependent upon Luther:
   
   "The question must now be put: how much of all of that Hebrew-into-English in Genesis is Tyndale's own work? Is it not, as has so often been said, cribbed from Luther? The answer, for example, in that passage from Genesis 42, is absolutely not."
   
   On other occasions:
   
   "Tyndale sometimes follows Luther closely in grammar and vocabulary. That is not surprising given the limited nature of the Hebrew grammars and lexicons available. The brief comparisons here, however, have shown Tyndale independent in passages in Genesis, and a strong case begins to emerge for detaching Tyndale from Luther even more firmly as translator of Hebrew."
   
   As an authority on Shakespeare and the usage of early English, Daniell provides great service in an analysis of Tyndale's translational style. Daniell believes that Tyndale's translation work wed a careful knowledge of the original languages together with a overriding desire to render the result in an English which was understandable.. He gives copious examples throughout the work which bring this point home. Thus, Tyndale's translation method could be to said to stand somewhere between formal equivalence (a close adherence to the words of the original) and dynamic equivalence (taking some liberty with the words in order to better convey the sense of what is being said). With few exceptions, Daniell favors Tyndale over the work of alternative translators.
   
   As Tyndale continued his translation work in the Hebrew of the Old Testament--which was to be interrupted by his untimely martyrdom, his visibility of the Hebrew idiom and thought behind the Greek of the New Testament improved. This contributed to changes in his revision of the New Testament published in 1534.
   
   Daniell is no unattached scholar examining the history of Tyndale's time at-a-distance. He correctly understands the importance of Tyndale in the events of his day and the enduring value of his work both as evidenced in the reality of Protestantism in our day and the heritage of the English Bible. The many hours that Daniell has spent in the presence of Tyndale through his works is evident in his reaction to Tyndale's untimely death:
   
   "We have, at this point to utter a cry of grief. It was a scholar of this towering stature, leading all Europe in his knowledge of Greek, matched now by an equal command of Hebrew, uniquely gifted in tuning the sounds of the English language, who had achieved so much but who still had some of his greatest work to do, who was, soon after this, by a vicious, paltry and mean villain tricked to death. It is as if Shakespeare had been murdered by a real-life jealous Iago half-way through his life, and the great tragedies had never been written. Had Tyndale gone on to the poetic books and prophecies of the Old Testament, we should not only have had them in English far surpassing Coverdale's: we would surely also have had even finer tuning of the New Testament, so much of which is directly entwined with those very poems and prophecies. Tyndale's 1534 New Testament is a triumph; but another New Testament, after another eight years or so, would surely have followed. As Tyndale constantly notes, the work of translation never ends."
   
   Daniell's biography of Tyndale may be unique in the balance which is given to both the historical setting of Tyndale's life and the philological work of the man in translation. Considering the countless hours which Tyndale must have spent and the priority of his translation work in his own mind, this approach to understanding Tyndale provides great balance. The result is an enduring thankfulness for the sacrifices and dedication of this English Reformer who paid the ultimate price so that we might have the Bible in our vernacular: English. We highly recommend this book which will appeal to those with an interest in the events of the Reformation, the history of the English Bible, or an interest in Bible translation in general.



4. William Tyndale is a hero of mine. Just a few weeks ago I reviewed a DVD that featured an interview with David Daniell, a prominent Tyndale expert. Having watched this DVD presentation, and being intruiged by Daniell's knowledge of his subject, I knew I would have to read his biography of William Tyndale.
   
   Considering the importance of his contribution, both to Christianity and to the English language, there are surprisingly few biographies written about William Tyndale. In the introduction to this biography, Daniell claims that "there has not been a full-scale study of him for nearly sixty years, since J.F. Mozley's biography of 1937." This leads him to conclude that "there is need for something more modern, especially as the quincentenary of Tyndale's birth in 1494 is widely celebrated." Of course this date passed some twelve years ago, for this volume was printed in 1994. Daniell fills this need with William Tyndale: A Biography.
   
   The outline of Tyndale's life is well-known. He was, as you may know, a brilliant man who was the first to make and print a translation of the Scriptures from the Greek into English. His translation formed much of the basis for what was to become the King James version. In that way, his work continues to be in use today and is still precious to many believers. Of lesser significance, many of the words and phrases he coined, such as my brother's keeper, passover and scapegoat are still in use, even five centuries later. He dedicated his life to the great work of translation which eventually totalled all of the New Testament and the first two sections of the Old. He gave his life for the privilege of translating Scripture and was eventually martyred for the "sin" of giving the Scriptures to the common man in a common language. It is a great tragedy that his life was taken before he was able to complete the remaining books of the Old Testament and, in particular Proverbs, Psalms and other books of poetry.
   
   Surprisingly, for a man of his stature, relatively little is known about Tyndale, for he spent many years of his life toiling in secrecy and obscurity. This book represents a compilation and analysis of most of the important facts available to historians. Many gaps remain, but it seems unlikely that we will ever know significantly more than we do today.
   
   Perhaps the best way of describing this biography is "thorough." This is not a book for the feint-of-heart. While it is only slightly over 400 pages, it is, nonetheless, very thorough and sometimes tough-going. Thankfully, Daniell is a capable writer and he does a very satisfying job of making relevant even what may seem, at first glance, to be mundane. Beyond merely relaying the facts of his subject's life, the author expends great effort in understanding the sources Tyndale used for his translation and the results of his dependence upon particular texts. He examines particular words and phrases Tyndale chose to use, showing him to be a master communicator with a gift for expressing himself with great clarity. He describes even the religious and social implications that arose because of Tyndale's work. Truly Tyndale's influence extended far beyond a simple translation of the Bible.
   
   I was particularly glad to see that Daniell endeavoured to present Tyndale as something more than merely the opponent of Sir Thomas More. Tragically, More has gone down in history as a noble and just man, but the reality is that he was anything but. He proved his lack of character time and again through his bitter hatred of William Tyndale. There is much more to the life of Tyndale than his ongoing confrontations with More and Daniell is careful to document this.
   
   William Tyndale: A Biography was as thorough and interesting a biography as I could hope to read. It was not always easy to read, but it was well worth the effort. I would not hesitate to recommend it.



5. Dr. Daniell's biography of William Tyndale is sympathetic and masterful. Tyndale's influence as a translator is well-documented, as is his humble devotion to providing the Word of God in a language that laymen could understand. One marvels at how Thomas More has gained greater historical sympathy given his virulent, active persecution of early reformers. Daniell's bio is generously footnoted and includes a fine bibliography for further reading. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the early English Reformation.

No comments about Folk Like Me: The Read-Aloud Book of Saints.

3 comments about Saint Gianna Molla: Wife, Mother, Doctor.

1. This is an amazing book on St. Gianna Molla. It is written in part by her husband [who is still alive and well in Italy] through interviews with Elio Gurriero and includes some of St. Gianna's own writings.
   
   I found this book very touching and inspiring. Most of us know of St. Gianna because of her death - as a martyr for Life as it were - but this book introduces us to the very real, loving, devout, strong woman that Gianna was in life. How wonderful to read about her youth, her courtship and marriage, her love for her small children, her devotion to her patients, and her heroic decision to risk death so that her baby could survive.
   
   This book was easy to read and entertaining while really packing a spiritual punch. I got so much from it and feel like a better person for having read it.



2. I liked this book, it was a good short read. It gives the history of St. Gianna and her husband and their families. The reason this only got 4 stars was because it didn't explain the miracles that got St. Gianna her sainthood. So if that is what you are looking for, this book is not it. But if you are looking for the history of St. Gianna, you will be pleased.



3. It is difficult for me to think of a Saint I relate to more than St. Gianna Molla. She didn't live hundreds of years ago, but rather is a modern woman. St. Gianna was a pediatric surgeon, a mother, a wife, and a holy woman who died a martyr's death.
   
   If you are looking into buying this book, you probably know Dr. Molla's life already. In case you do not: She was a mother of three, who upon hearing of her fourth pregnancy, decided she would give up her work as a Doctor to focus all of her attention on her own family. During her pregnancy she was diagnosed with a cancer on her uterus. She had three choices. She could a) do nothing and have the baby and almost certainly die, b) remove most of the tumor and keep the baby. This would be VERY risky with lots of potential complications, but there was a greater chance she would survive. Or she could c) do what the doctor's advised and terminate the pregnancy as a result of a more radical surgery to remove her entire illness.
   
   She chose option (b). She didn't seek martyrdom. She wanted to live and raise her family. She could have chosen (c) if she wanted. The abortion would not have been direct. Rather, it would have been an indirect consequence of a surgery designed to save the mother's life. Thus, under Catholic teaching, the operation would have been morally acceptable.
   
   However, St. Gianna was a hero of the faith. Rather than take the easy road, she decided to do what she could to save her own life, while at the same time defending the young life within her.
   
   St. Gianna died after childbirth. She got to hold her baby, and name her "Gianna." This Gianna, a Doctor now herself, was present along with her father at her mother's canonization. St. Gianna Molla is a hero for life. She is a Saint whose witness we need now more than ever.
   
   I recommend this book completely. Reading about this saint will enrich your life.