Attention to his non-biblical books is covered alongside OT, NT and Matthew's Bible and Daniell's scholarly but popular style tells a fascinating story of his sufferings and the ecclesiastical polemics of his day with intrigue and heresy, charge and counter charge.

The Introduction refers to the purchase of his Worms 1526 NT by the British Library for a million pounds as 'the only complete survivor of Tyndale's original print-run', the only other extant copy already in the BL being incomplete, but fails to note the discovery of a third copy in 1996 in the Wuerttemberg State Library, claimed to be 'the only really complete copy' because it has the title page which is absent in the other two.


Fascinating and learned   March 8, 2001
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

This excellent biography brings William Tyndale to life.

Tyndale was perhaps one of the most sympathetic characters to arise out of the religious controversies of the English Reformation. This book paints him as a warm, sympathetic character, slow to react angrily in the face of gross provocation, and always replying with more genial wit than vehement heat. A man of monumental learning for his day, he was also a prose stylist of the first water.

It truly is a shame that Thomas More, one of the least saintly saints ever to be named to that company, is well known from stage and screen productions, while Tyndale remains in the dark. As this book reveals, Tyndale was the true hero of human freedom, and his behaviour in the midst of heated controversy sets a fine Christian example for us all.


A marvelous biography of worthy William Tyndale...   February 6, 1999
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I have studied Tyndale's life and work for many years. This is clearly the best and most complete biography on Tyndale written in the last fifty years. It is a must read for serious students of church or Bible history. The only flaw (minor) -- numerous spelling errors in the first edition. A splendid accomplishment. The Church of Christ needs to know much more about this mighty giant of the faith than is commonly apprehended. I rate it 4 and a half stars!


A great book   January 1, 1999
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

St Thomas More is a man who is still remembered today and is the subject of plays and films. William Tyndale was his opponent. It was Tyndales ambition to translate the bible into English. To do this he learnt Greek and Hebrew. It is said that as he left England he told a cleric that if god spared him to do his work " even a boy driving the plough shall know as much scripture as you." Tyndale did not complete his work but his new testament and his first five books of the old testament formed the basis of the King James Bible. His translation contains phrases of sublime beauty which have become part of the language. (For example "the sale of the earth" and "there were Shepherds abiding in the fields".)

Tyndales achievement in making a bible available in English has been of enormous importance in the history of England and America. The family bible was a proud possession of families, it was a tool by which children could be taught to read and write. On Sundays families could read it to sustain their faith and to learn.

At the time Tydale undertook his project it was illegal in England to have a vernacular copy of the bible. He had to travel to Europe to undertake his work. Tyndale was in life a kind man who never advocated violence and was regarded as of high character even by his enemies.

He has in modern times been largely forgotten. Ironically his enemy Thomas More is nowadays remembered rather than Tyndale. The book by Daniell illustrates why this is ironic. More was in reality a much less sympathetic character. He was involved in the suppression of the bible, the arrest and punishment of heretics and strongly advocated execution of his religious opponents.


Worth the time and effort   December 5, 1998
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I purchased this book primarily because I knew so little of the key translator of our modern bible. Although the author seems to be a little biased against Thomas More, I found it a very informative read. This book assists the reader in truly understanding the timeless literary abilities of William Tyndale, along with the truly great sacrifices he made. I expected a somewhat stale book, but was truly surprised at how well it flowed.