Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasants' War

Having spent the better part of the last 15 years reading the works of Martin Luther (American Edition) and virtually everything else I could put my hands on; in 2017 I met Lyndal Roper (virtually, of course) through her majestic biography Martin Luther: Renegade and Prophet. She instantly became not only my favorite Luther/Reformation scholar but one of my favorite writers, period.Lyndal not only documents her history with details of research missed by most but she weaves in her conclusions and analysis without every being preachy or heavy-handed. Summer of Fire and Blood is her latest in this tradition.The Peasants War (1524-25) is just a footnote or at most. small chapter in most Luther biographies and general Reformation histories. Lyndal, as a continuation (in my estimation) of her biography of Luther, brings the 19+ months of the war alive in terrifying technicolor prose. As an example she writes "The tale of three men, Martin Luther, Andreas Karlstadt, and Thomas Muntzer, is essential for understanding what happened in the German Peasants ' War, but their story comprises just qa small part of the greater epic. (P. 67). It is precisely at this intersection of Theology, Personality, and the Terror of hand-to-hand bloody combat that Lyndal tells the story of the Peasants War many of us have been waiting for.

Great resource!

Excellent history that has a lot to bear on current political trends. It humanizes people from 500 years ago in a way that is clear and visceral. The peasants are relatable without becoming flattened yokels and the societal structure is elucidated in detail giving excellent context.

I ordered this book after I read, and despite, the review in the NYT, which, true to form, made it sound as if this were a Communist Manifesto. It is not. It is an extremely well researched and well written account of the Peasants’ War that makes history speak for itself.

Waited six months for this book and it was worth it. The definitive English book on the German Peasants War and a must for those interested in 16th century Germany.

I have been interested in history ever since I can remember. I have always wanted to know what happened in the past, and how that affected ordinary people. When I saw this book, I wanted to read it and learn about the German Peasants’ War, which I had heard of before but never read much about. I found it very interesting, and extremely well-documented. (About a fourth of the book is notes.) I learned a lot in this thorough history, and am much less impressed with Martin Luther than I was before. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of Germany and the Reformation, who has time and patience for a long, detailed book. I am glad to have read it myself, as I have a much better understanding of what happened back then than I did before.I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

How can a book about such a subject, keep putting me to sleep in 2 paragraphs or less. I'm 150 pages into this 500 page book, and still waiting for it to get my interest. I so looked forward to getting this book, which I advance ordered.Books I've read which I would recommend over this:'Let History Judge: The origins and consequences of Stalinism' Roy Medvedev'The Katyn Massacre 1940' Thomas Urban'The Abyss' Max Hastings"Blowback: America's recruitment of Nazis and its effects on the Cold War' Christpher Simpson"The Destruction of the European Jews" Raul HilbergRead any one of those before this 500+page sleeping pill.THAT IS ALL.

When I saw Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasant’s War on NetGalley I wanted to read it immediately. I primarily enjoy historical fiction but throw in some nonfiction history here and there, especially if I want to learn more about the era.This book is very robust! It is full of information gleaned from years of study. Lyndal Roper has searched out the reasons for all sides of this terrible event and fully explains them. I learned a lot and feel I have a better grip on the subject now.It shouldn’t be, but it was surprising to learn how the clergy used religious fever to incite the peasants to desire change. And afterward the same clergy threw the blame back on those same peasants when it made the clergy look bad.I now understand the unequal relationship between the peasants and the lords and their belief that they had the ability to break away and govern themselves. The more I learned about the plight of the peasants, the more I understood their reasons for revolt. Every part of their life was scrutinized, ruled and taxed.I like that Roper includes the everyday items and routines the peasants led. How their belongings were made, animals kept, crops produced and how the Lords were involved in even these simple items. The book is very thorough and interesting.I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Rose Akroyd did an amazing job. She has a very smooth, pleasant voice and it added to my enjoyment.If you are interested in this era of history, Summer of Fire and Blood, you need to read this book!Many thanks to Lyndal Roper and Hachette Audio for the ARV via NetGalley!