“This is a book which will never die—one of the greatest Christian classics. As interesting as fiction, it is written with both passion and tenderness, telling the dramatic story of some of the most thrilling periods in Christian history. Presented here in its most complete form, it brings to life the days when ‘a noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid…climbed the steep ascent of heaven, amid peril, toil, and pain.’
“After the Bible itself, no book so profoundly influenced early Protestant sentiment as the Book of Martyrs. Even in our time it is still a living force. More than a record of persecution, it is an arsenal of controversy, a storehouse of romance, and a source of edification.”—James Miller Dodds, English Prose
This collection includes treatises on the following:
1. The Persecution of the Early Christians
2. Constantine the Great
3. John Wickliff
4. Sir John Oldcaste, Lord Cobham
5. John Huss
6. William Tyndale
7. Martin Luther
8. John Hooper
9. Rowland Taylor
10. The Martyrs of Scotland
11. Hugh Latimer
12. Bishop Ridley
13. The Trial, Condemnation, and Martyrdom of Ridley and Latimer
14. The Fires of Smithfield
15. Thomas Cranmer
16. Anecdotes and Sayings of Other Martyrs
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"This book was one of the last books I happened upon while studying in a Bible College library. It broke my heart, made me filled with wonder at the courage and faithfulness...ever since I have wondered about all the martyrs in world history, AND all of the people in church who I hear say they are being persecuted at work. LOL. Please, give me a break. Try being Polycarp, and then talk about persecution!"
— Marisa (5 out of 5 stars)
“After the Bible itself, no book so profoundly influenced early Protestant sentiment as the Book of Martyrs. Even in our time it is still a living force. More than a record of persecution, it is an arsenal of controversy, a storehouse of romance, and a source of edification.”
— James Miller Dodds, English Prose" I would have liked this book quite a bit more if it weren't so descriptive with the tortures and stuff like that. "
— Abigail, 2/19/2014" Very good book. Must say it is from a protestant perspective. I do wish he had more on the earlier church. "
— Jason, 2/15/2014" What a cool book--it was written hundreds of years ago, and is fairly clinical in the descriptions of the fate of many of the early Christians, but has feeling for sure. It filled in the details of a lot of stories I had heard about these events. "
— Heather, 2/12/2014" Some day, I really will finish this book. Really, I will. I think i've started it 3, maybe 4, times. I think the caustic combination for me is the ancient language combined with the heart wrenching subject matter. I usually scorn the adaptations (for the modern reader) and have thousands of pages in the original works (Les Miserables, Shakespeare, and The Counte of Monte Cristo come immediately to mind) but this is one work I would recommend a modern adaptation... "
— Ebookwormy, 2/12/2014" A great book to encourage your faith. A story of people who were truly looking toward their "heavenly" home and rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. "
— Craig, 2/9/2014" Gruesome yet inspiring, Foxe's Book of Martyrs demands that we take Christianity seriously. So many people were burned, branded, blown up, sliced through, stretched, and torn for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their adherence to the Bible. The accounts range from the persecutions faced by the early Church to those suffered by Protestants before and during the Reformation. "
— Rob, 2/8/2014" I am amazed at the power of conviction in the face of every conceivable vile and horrific thing the degraded human mind can conceive of. "
— Mike, 2/8/2014" Though it's not what I expected, it was definitely a worthy read. Amazing stories of selfless devotion to the Lord and of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "
— Beka, 2/8/2014" It is hard to read some of the things that people went through on account of their faith. It's really quite inspirational and makes one look more closely at their own life and faith - what are we willing to suffer for our faith? "
— Sue, 2/3/2014" Eye-opening record of Catholic church's persecution of believers who rejected the Catholic's false teaching. "
— Patti, 1/24/2014" A must read. Goes through the martyrdom stories of the Christian church. Very emboldening to hear how so many stood in the face of opposition for the sake of the name of Christ. "
— Virgil, 1/23/2014" My copy pre-dates isbn's, printed in London byJ. Nisbet & Co., around the turn of the last century. "
— Cherish, 1/19/2014" So hard to read, but worth the struggle to learn how people suffered to be sure we can read and share the gospel. "
— Lynda, 1/17/2014" It is amazing to know what the apostles went through for the gospel of Christ. This book is deep and gives you greater insight of the bible. It's a great book for a gift. "
— Ogz, 1/16/2014" If you want to read a book that will make you look for a knife to slit your wrists this is the book. Very depressing account of what a people endured for their faith. Not for the weak of stomach. "
— Don, 1/15/2014" one caution for the reader: this is not a history book, but a book of sketches. read accordingly. "
— viktor, 1/14/2014" Classic book on those who have suffered and paid the ultimate price for following Christ. Excellent reading the story of those who showed courage and conviction for our Lord. "
— Jeff, 12/21/2013" Although very gruesome, this book was a great reference for all the martyrs who had great faith and trust. "
— Rebekah, 11/27/2013" Every Christian should read this book. "
— Shannon, 11/15/2013" This book is amazing!! It teaches so much about having faith. I read this for my very last thing for personal progress. "
— Olivia, 11/14/2013" Wow,I sure do have it easy! "
— Lynda, 11/7/2013" I am amazed at the power of conviction in the face of every conceivable vile and horrific thing the degraded human mind can conceive of. "
— Mike, 10/22/2013" When I purchased it, I mistook this book for Foxes Book of Martyrs, a book written in the 1800's I think. Misleading, but still a good book. Updates with some martyrs through this century, specifically those known by the organization "Voices of Martyrs" or VOM. "
— Kathryn, 10/20/2013" Classic book on those who have suffered and paid the ultimate price for following Christ. Excellent reading the story of those who showed courage and conviction for our Lord. "
— Jeff, 10/16/2013" It is hard to read some of the things that people went through on account of their faith. It's really quite inspirational and makes one look more closely at their own life and faith - what are we willing to suffer for our faith? "
— Sue, 10/4/2013" A must have for every Christian's library! "
— Barry, 9/11/2013" Excellent choice of a great book & excellent writer "
— Diana, 9/9/2013" This book was a book about Christians who died because of their faith. It is thought-provoking, and teaches some lessons that need to be taught. "
— Selah, 9/6/2013" This was an excellent religious historical book on Christian martyrs. It is quoted often by theologians and scholars. "
— Jack, 8/20/2013" If you want to read a book that will make you look for a knife to slit your wrists this is the book. Very depressing account of what a people endured for their faith. Not for the weak of stomach. "
— Don, 7/27/2013" I read this today. It is interesting and has a lot of good history on the Martyrdom of Christians. "
— Sean, 7/11/2013" As much as you can "like" this book. I found it inspiring and convicting. "
— Rebekah, 6/9/2013" One of the top three books everyone should read: The Bible, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and The Pilgrim's Progress. One doesn't even need to be a "reformed" protestant to read it. Story of Rogers is striking. All true stories that have implications today in our lives. "
— Christopher, 12/24/2012" Going to blow your mind! Make sure you get an unabridged version. "
— Brian, 11/9/2012" Only read the abridged version - very interesting. "
— Karyn, 11/4/2012" What can I say? It is humbling reading. So glad I read it finally. "
— Joyce, 9/28/2012" Really inspiring. Found it a little hard to get through because of his writing. "
— Natalya, 9/28/2012" Every Christian should read this book. "
— Shannon, 9/11/2012" This book was a book about Christians who died because of their faith. It is thought-provoking, and teaches some lessons that need to be taught. "
— Selah, 7/12/2012" A long but interesting account of many, many, many martyrs - mainly in England during the 1600s under the reign of "Bloody Mary". "
— Daniel, 6/30/2012" Another book that I love to read every few years ~ very inspirational! "
— Laurie, 5/7/2012" Written in a sober, readable style, this is interesting both from a historical and a devotional standpoint. From such notables as Anne Askew and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer to anonymous little kids, this is chock-full of powerful stories of people who suffered for their faith. "
— J., 4/12/2012" A long but interesting account of many, many, many martyrs - mainly in England during the 1600s under the reign of "Bloody Mary". "
— Daniel, 4/8/2012" Very good book. Must say it is from a protestant perspective. I do wish he had more on the earlier church. "
— Jason, 3/30/2012" Real faith results in real persecution. What these forebears endured speaks volumes to the church today. "
— Kevin, 1/26/2012" I would have liked this book quite a bit more if it weren't so descriptive with the tortures and stuff like that. "
— Abigail, 12/18/2011" One of the top three books everyone should read: The Bible, Foxe's Book of Martyrs, and The Pilgrim's Progress. One doesn't even need to be a "reformed" protestant to read it. Story of Rogers is striking. All true stories that have implications today in our lives. "
— Christopher, 11/24/2011" Provides insights into the persecution of Christians mainly in Britain and Ireland in the 16th century. "
— Douglas, 11/20/2011" I honestly didn't read it. I skimmed a few pages. I decided I didn't need to read about all the bad that has happened to believers. "
— LaDonna, 10/26/2011" some of the texts used to describe the deaths of the early Christians are gnostic gospels from the 4th-8th centuries. Just sayin' "
— Rich, 10/15/2011" Challenging read but stregthening too. "
— Thebarrys10, 8/18/2011" I've read this so many times now I have lost count. You wouldn't think a book with the word "martyr" in it would be uplifting, but it really is. When you seem people who are so sold out in whom they believe they would give their life, it helps life seem more black and white than it usually seems. "
— Mike, 5/15/2011" a fun read even though it was written in the 1500's. Didn't know a lot of the people he talked about it was fun to read anyway "
— Darrin, 4/29/2011" Only read the abridged version - very interesting. "
— Karyn, 3/14/2011" We have not resisted unto death - seeing such a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us whom have died for the faith, how can we not serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! "
— Mike, 3/10/2011" How can we not continue to serve Him, with so great a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. We have not resisted unto death, but many hero's of the faith have done so! Jesus Christ is worth it all!!! "
— Michael, 3/10/2011" We have not resisted unto death - seeing such a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us whom have died for the faith, how can we not serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! "
— Mike, 3/10/2011" How can we not continue to serve Him, with so great a cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. We have not resisted unto death, but many hero's of the faith have done so! Jesus Christ is worth it all!!! "
— Michael, 3/10/2011" Classic book on those who have suffered and paid the ultimate price for following Christ. Excellent reading the story of those who showed courage and conviction for our Lord. "
— Jeff, 3/6/2011" Classic book on those who have suffered and paid the ultimate price for following Christ. Excellent reading the story of those who showed courage and conviction for our Lord. "
— Jeff, 3/6/2011" A must read for every Christian! "
— Lisa, 1/11/2011" A must read for every Christian! "
— Lisa, 1/11/2011" Only read the abridged version - very interesting. "
— Karyn, 1/4/2011" Only read the abridged version - very interesting. "
— Karyn, 1/4/2011" Read during late 1980s/early 1990s. Inspiring and often graphic account of those who died for the cause of Christ. "
— Dave, 11/20/2010" Read during late 1980s/early 1990s. Inspiring and often graphic account of those who died for the cause of Christ. "
— Dave, 11/20/2010" I give it a 5 because it is such an emotional book but yet encouraging in your relationship with God. This is sad, encouraging, incredible. The only down side is some of the dryness of the read itself but still deserves a 5. "
— Bryon, 11/7/2010" I give it a 5 because it is such an emotional book but yet encouraging in your relationship with God. This is sad, encouraging, incredible. The only down side is some of the dryness of the read itself but still deserves a 5. "
— Bryon, 11/7/2010" Though it's not what I expected, it was definitely a worthy read. Amazing stories of selfless devotion to the Lord and of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "
— Beka, 9/6/2010" Though it's not what I expected, it was definitely a worthy read. Amazing stories of selfless devotion to the Lord and of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. "
— Beka, 9/6/2010" A great book to encourage your faith. A story of people who were truly looking toward their "heavenly" home and rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. "
— Craig, 8/28/2010" A great book to encourage your faith. A story of people who were truly looking toward their "heavenly" home and rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. "
— Craig, 8/28/2010" Really inspiring. Found it a little hard to get through because of his writing. "
— Natalya, 8/27/2010" Really inspiring. Found it a little hard to get through because of his writing. "
— Natalya, 8/27/2010" Ok so I didn't read it all because it makes me sad, but it's amazing what people will do for faith - I wish I could only be that strong. "
— Robin, 6/27/2010" Ok so I didn't read it all because it makes me sad, but it's amazing what people will do for faith - I wish I could only be that strong. "
— Robin, 6/27/2010" Excellent choice of a great book & excellent writer "
— Diana, 5/24/2010" Excellent choice of a great book & excellent writer "
— Diana, 5/24/2010" I read this today. It is interesting and has a lot of good history on the Martyrdom of Christians. "
— Sean, 1/25/2010" I read this today. It is interesting and has a lot of good history on the Martyrdom of Christians. "
— Sean, 1/25/2010" A long but interesting account of many, many, many martyrs - mainly in England during the 1600s under the reign of "Bloody Mary". "
— Daniel, 12/16/2009" A long but interesting account of many, many, many martyrs - mainly in England during the 1600s under the reign of "Bloody Mary". "
— Daniel, 12/16/2009
John Foxe (1517–1587), the martyrologist, was born in England and was educated at Oxford, where he became a fellow of Magdalen College but resigned his fellowship in 1545, being unwilling to conform to the statutes in religious matters. In 1554 he retired to the Continent and issued at Strasburg his Commentarii, the earliest draft of his Actes and Monuments, now popularly known as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.