Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

Metaxas' biography of Bonhoeffer is a thoroughly enjoyable read. He brilliantly balanced the personal, social, theological and political elements of Bonhoeffer's life to give a sweeping account of it that provides important insights into the man's life and thought. As a result, even though the book isn't short, it never dragged. Metaxas doesn't dwell to heavily on theology, politics, or anything else, but includes them only insofar as they help the reader to understand the intelligent, brave man he writes about.

It should be noted, though, that this is a rather uncritical look at Bonhoeffer's life. It approaches hagiography. This is not bad... Bonhoeffer was a great man, so it's appropriate to write about him as such. It may, however, irritate some readers that Metaxas goes out of his way to look at everything Bonhoeffer did in the best possible light. More bothersomely, at a few points in the book, Metaxas extends this approach to other figures he likes. He spends a few pages, for example, defending the legacy of Martin Luther against charges of antisemitism. This seemed, in context, appropriate enough, but it added to the impression that the book was driven by the author's opinions.

The book is a great read, it's thorough, entertaining, inspirational and informative about Bonhoeffer and the history and thought that surrounded his life. It doesn't have the viewpoint neutrality of a more academic work, but that's fine... The book provides a beautiful account of the life of a great man.