Since Dietrich Bonhoeffer's death in 1945; executed by the Nazis as a political dissident; he has continued to fascinate and compel readers as a theologian; witness; and martyr. Bonhoeffer's theological brilliance; committed discipleship; ecumenical insight; and courageous participation in the struggle against fascism have profoundly shaped contemporary Christian understanding and action. In John W. de Gruchy's estimate; had Bonhoeffer lived "he might have dominated the theological scene in the second half of the twentieth century in succession to Karl Barth; Rudolf Bultmann; and Paul Tillich. As it was; he became the paradigmatic martyr-theologian" for our time. In this new biography; Christiane Dietz masterfully portrays the interconnectedness of Bonhoeffer's life and thought; theology and politics; discipleship; witness; and resistance; tracing the path from his childhood to his imprisonment and execution. Brief; lucid; and imminently accessible; Tietz's new account brings Bonhoeffer's story and work to life in a vivid retelling; unfolding his important and widely read texts; and including new; previously unseen pictures.
#814920 in Books 2016-11-08 2016-11-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.37 x .90 x 5.50l; .0 #File Name: 1501136089256 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good Book - Left Me Wanting MoreBy Layman FollowerThe author did an OUTSTANDING job of introducing very small town Indiana life during the first half of the 20th century. It is an easy to read book that I found hard to put down.As to enjoyment; this book deserves 5 stars. It is really that good!As to the coverage of the "new deal" and its impact upon small town U.S.; that's where I wanted a bit more than that provided. I feel there was much more to give; regarding the subject of the book. Or; perhaps I failed to adequately manage my expectationsas I selected it.Regardless; it is an interesting; well written; easy and involving read. All interested in U.S. history during this period or just plain ordinary small town life during the 1920s; 30s and 40s would learn a lot from this; and GREATLY ENJOY IT as they do so.A fun and worthy read.8 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Imagine; an Economics Book That Reads Like a Novel and That You Hate to Put Down!By Mitzi in MarylandWho could imagine that an economics book would be positively gripping?In my case; I grew up with the notion that because Hoover was too passive; he let the recession get out of hand; and that it was Roosevelt who got us out of the Great Depression. At least that’s what my economics professors at Harvard preached.WHEN THE NEW DEAL CAME TO TOWN provides an utterly different view of the era; but also an utterly compelling one. The premise of the book is that “…when Washington makes mistakes; they often are big ones; affecting the lives of millions of citizens.†It illustrates this in elegiac prose that recreates the town of Whiteland; Indiana; population 406.The story alternates between what is going on in the lives of the citizens of Whiteland and what was going on with the economic masterminds in Washington; men who were arrogantly and presumptuously trying to manage an economy “encompassing billions of transactions daily and subject to buffeting from worldwide events like wars and natural disasters.â€As the book shows; these masterminds consistently got it wrong. They helped bring about the economic disaster; and they imposed remedies that helped prolong its effects.The takeaway from this book gets back to Santayana’s “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.†It’s almost eerie how often during the Great Recession we’ve done the very things that caused and prolonged the Great Depression.A quick comment on the book’s artwork: My stepdaughter; the artist Beverly Perdue Jennings; says when she’s painting an apple; she isn’t interested in just having you see the apple she’s painting. She wants you to taste the apple. Molly Melloan’s illustration of; for example; a man standing beside a 1930s filling station; makes you feel the chill in the air and the bleakness that good people were facing. Usually the word “elegiac†refers to prose; but Molly Melloan has mastered the art of elegiac painting. Her work pairs beautifully with the book’s text.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Good stories about small town Indiana and how the folks ...By CustomerGood stories about small town Indiana and how the folks coped and survived during the Depression. The bigger message is how the Federal Government; under both Republican and Democratic administrations; screwed things up. Lessons I wish current politicians would learn.
