William Tyndale: Bible Translator and Martyr

Children's Literature

Beautifully formatted, this well-written book looks at the life of William Tyndale, a brilliant academic and linguist, as well as Catholic priest who deemed it necessary that the common person have access to the words of the Bible. The first chapter begins with Tyndale's capture and death by strangling and fire, but helps to set the tone of why what he accomplished was so amazing for the time in which he lived. Told in nine chapters, the text provides an interesting chronology of Tyndale's childhood, education in England, determination to translate the Bible from the Latin so few people could actually read, and flights from authority. Working in the same general period as Martin Luther, Tyndale was viewed as a threat to Henry VIII of England and the Catholic Church. He was particularly threatening because he encouraged the common man to look to his own salvation rather than expecting it to come through priests. As noted earlier, the pictures and general layout of this book are gorgeous and truly underscore the Reformation Era in history. The author also provides a wonderful timeline that shows Tyndale's life against world events. This is a definite must for all school libraries. From the "Signature Lives" series. 2006, Compass Point Books/Capstone Press, Ages 12 to 16.
—Jean Boreen, Ph.D.