Vividly and concisely written, critical as well as appreciative, and containing material never before published in English, this new biography paints a memorable portrait of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great German theologian hanged by the Nazis in 1945. Portraying the complexity of Bonhoeffer's personality and the difficult, lonely course his life took, Wind especially brings out Bonhoeffer's early realization of the horror of Nazi treatment of the Jews, and despite misunderstanding by fellow church members, his brave involvement in the resistance against Hitler, his resolve to become -a spoke...

Renate Wind has composed a well-researched and searching biography of Dorothee Soelle (1929-2003), who became one of the most prolific and widely read theologians of the postwar period and a true religious provocateur. Winds short and insightful biography is informed by extensive interviews with Soelles friends and family, especially her husband, Fulbert Steffensky, by use of the familys archives, and by Winds extensive knowledge of contemporary theology, political history, and the contemporary church.

A Spoke in the Wheel is an ideal book to introduce Dietrich Bonhoeffer to new generation of readers. Vividly and concisely written, critical as well as appreciative, and containing material which has not been published in English before, it paints an unforgettable portrait of the great German theologian hanged by the Nazis in 1945. What emerges most clearly is the complexity of Bonhoeffer's personality and the lonely course he pursued: sensitive, but taught always to repress his feelings; moving away from his family to read theology, but not feeling at home in his church; ready to sacrifice...