I'm so glad there was an audio version of Rebel in the Ranks!! Even as a Catholic who knew a decent amount of history around the Reformation, I really enjoyed the way Gregory honed in on the person of Luther. It was really insightful to get to know Luther in an almost personal way, and see his progression.
I also happened to be reading a biography on the painter Raphael at the time I read Rebel in the Ranks, and Raphael died about 9 months before Luther was excommunicated. But it ended up being an interesting snapshot into the Roman world at the time, and Raphael's patronage from the pope, Leo X. It was so interesting to realize these stories were going to have overlap, and then to think about the papacy in that broader context.
I think it's easy to wonder, if you're Catholic, why the pope didn't do more right away about Luther. But the books on Raphael and Luther really broadened my perspective on what was going on in Germany and in the Vatican in the first place.
I wonder whether you've heard of the podcast Haunted Cosmos. It's a bit sensationalist, but I've found it fascinating. Two Reformed Christian dudes from Utah (I think) research and present ghost stories, legends, and other stories of the supernatural from a theologically-informed perspective. Seeing the essays on paganism, enchantment, etc. I thought you might find it interesting.
Rebel in the Ranks was written by a dear friend of mine, so it's extra fun for me to see it included in your list. Gregory's longer book, *The Unintended Reformation* is a tome, but definitely worth your time if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of the Reformation.
I'm so glad there was an audio version of Rebel in the Ranks!! Even as a Catholic who knew a decent amount of history around the Reformation, I really enjoyed the way Gregory honed in on the person of Luther. It was really insightful to get to know Luther in an almost personal way, and see his progression.
I also happened to be reading a biography on the painter Raphael at the time I read Rebel in the Ranks, and Raphael died about 9 months before Luther was excommunicated. But it ended up being an interesting snapshot into the Roman world at the time, and Raphael's patronage from the pope, Leo X. It was so interesting to realize these stories were going to have overlap, and then to think about the papacy in that broader context.
I think it's easy to wonder, if you're Catholic, why the pope didn't do more right away about Luther. But the books on Raphael and Luther really broadened my perspective on what was going on in Germany and in the Vatican in the first place.
I wonder whether you've heard of the podcast Haunted Cosmos. It's a bit sensationalist, but I've found it fascinating. Two Reformed Christian dudes from Utah (I think) research and present ghost stories, legends, and other stories of the supernatural from a theologically-informed perspective. Seeing the essays on paganism, enchantment, etc. I thought you might find it interesting.
Rebel in the Ranks was written by a dear friend of mine, so it's extra fun for me to see it included in your list. Gregory's longer book, *The Unintended Reformation* is a tome, but definitely worth your time if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of the Reformation.