MARTIN LUTHER Lionhearted Reformer

Historian J.A. Morrison's young reader's biography of the great Protestant reformer, published in 1924, reflects the pieties and casual bigotries of that time. Its openly Protestant disdain for the "Romish" faith would never be allowable in today's politically correct culture, even by 12-year-olds. Edward Lewis commendably neutralizes this flaw; his delivery brings a balance and an intonation more in line with the style of objective reporting that listeners are accustomed to today, while preserving the respect and admiration for Luther that the author so clearly feels. This biography is a good introduction to Luther on most points and does evoke the sense of moral purpose that Luther's life inspired. Lewis's nuanced reading provides whatever shading and perspective the narrative requires, recasting the tone of this dated work and bringing to it a sensibility the original lacked. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 02]