I was intrigued by the description of Bonhoeffer as a pastor, martyr prophet and spy; I knew enough of his story to know that the first two descriptions were true but a spy?
If you want to find out whether he was a spy read another book you will find no real evidence of it here. It is also hard to see what real part he played in the various plots against Hitler, other than as postman and cheerleader.
I have elsewhere that religious scholars took the book to task about its view of Bonhoeffer's theological stance. As an agnostic I am in no position to judge Metaxas on this.
I know a little about the history of the period and can judge on his history, which is in places poor, the idea that all atrocities in the east were carried out by the SS is plain wrong, we know the Wehrmacht played a substantial role. The Prussian officer class had no real issue with Hitler while they were winning, after he gave the likes of Rommel and Guderian lots of shiny new toys to play with. The plots themselves were facile, like a great many things from that time over-engineered, a good honest suicide bomb in July 1944 might saved the likes of Bonhoeffer's life!
This book is intermible in its quotes, obtuse in its history, I found myself myself thinking of replacing the second half of the strapping with fanatic and assassin.

This book is going in my DNF pile. I first tried reading it, but didn’t get very far before deciding that I wasn’t willing to dedicate the time required to read something that was not really holding my interest.
I then checked out the audiobook, thinking this was the way to go, as I really try to finish the books I get from Netgalley. Still wasn’t happening.
I’m sure Bonhoeffer’s story is an interesting one. But this book is too lengthy and was taking too long to get anywhere. I have too many books to read and life is too short. I had to move on.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas is a very highly recommended biography of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In this new updated 2020 edition a number of typographical and other small errors from the first edition have been corrected. I enjoyed my copy of the first edition immensely and it is a privilege to read the new introduction and reacquaint myself with an incredible man of faith.

"'Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless.' Though the words have never been directly traced to Bonhoeffer, do they not sum up what he said in so many other ways?" This biography of theologian and anti-Nazi activist Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) is an important and inspiring work that should be a must-read for any one who wants to know what the Christian principle of "dying to self" means. The idea of setting yourself aside and living for others and for God is often thought to be a severe task that only a few saintly people can do, but as Paul proclaimed, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Bonhoeffer fundamentally understood and embraced that belief.

Metaxas presents Bonhoeffer's life, starting with his family and upbringing leading to the various influences in his life that led to his profound faith and convictions. He also covers the historical background of the times for those who might not be well acquainted with it. Many readers will already know something about Bonhoeffer's work as a theologian and his resistance to Nazism and their atrocities, and his death, but this biography is a full account of his life and the decisions and choices he made that eventually led to his execution. It is well documented and Metaxas carefully notes the many primary sources and papers he consulted to write this very complete and accessible biography of an amazing man.

This is a life that speaks for itself, and Metaxas wisely allows the information and documents he presents to tell the story of Bonhoeffer's life.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Thomas Nelson.
The review will be posted on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The research that was done by Mr. Metaxas was quite extensive and thorough but the resulting book was entirely too loooooong. Mr. Metaxas also felt compelled to sprinkle his otherwise excellent book with inane metaphors. I generally do not read biographies so please take my comments with a grain of salt.

Eric Metaxas constructed an intelligent, well-researched, gripping account of a man—both a theologian and spy—who became so deeply committed to taking down a monstrous evil that he was willing to leave his safe harbor in America and return to his homeland. The author’s thorough research—from Bonhoeffer’s early years that gives us an understanding of his family’s deep Christian values, to his deep convictions that led him to risk his life to fight against an evil that seized the soul of a nation. Highly recommended for WWII historical research buffs.

Eric Metaxas is an evangelical loon and is fast and loose with the facts of Bonhoeffer’s life. If you take this book as historical Christian fiction or alternative history, go for it, but please don’t take this as an actual biography with any basis in facts or reality. Metaxas has a specific agenda and he fits Bonhoeffer in when convenient.

I love heroes. I just love to get into their brains. I love their thinking and their courage. Most of all I love people who act like heroes without knowing they will be famous because of their actions. It would be easy to act with courage, wisdom and justice if you would know your life is being recorded and you have a contract because they will write a biography about you. That would not impress me. What I love about people in the past is that they act as they must, with selfishness and with sacrificially loving, even if nobody knows it or no one claps around. This is the case, I think that is why I like books like this so much. There where no cellphones and selfies around, no paparatzis involved. It is impossible to read about Dietrich Bonhoeffer without having a deep sense of what is truly important, about integrity, truth, courage, and the present and unavoidable fact that you will need to die and sacrifice in order to serve others. This biography is a treasure I want to involve my children in. You will walk to each chapter thankful for Bonhoeffer, but also for Eric Metaxas, who took the time and effort to leave this legacy into pages so we could cherish, a hero for me too. If you love justice, pastors, history, martyrs, prophets, deep thoughts, and challenges this book is for you. My prayer for this generation is to have more people of character with kindness and strong convictions, and the conviction to be faithful to God and love others to the end. Seriously get this book, and start reading now. It has been 10 years since the 1st one came out and it is still here, going strong (you will find some new things added to this edition). It is long, but it is worth it.