Letters and Papers from Prison {enlarged edition}

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Other authors: Eherhard Bethge (Editor)

Other authors: See the other authors section.

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One of the great classics of prison literature, Letters and Papers from Prison effectively serves as the last will and testament of the Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a young German pastor who was executed by the Nazis in 1945 for his part in the "officers' plot" to assassinate Adolf Hitler. This expanded version of Letters and Papers from Prison shifts the emphasis of earlier editions of Bonhoeffer's theological reflections to the private sphere of his life. His letters appear in greater detail and show his daily concerns. Letters from Bonhoeffer's parents, siblings, and other relatives have also been added, in addition to previously inaccessible letters and legal papers referring to his trial. Acute and subtle, warm and perceptive, yet also profoundly moving, the documents collectively tell a very human story of loss, of courage, and of hope. Bonhoeffer's story seems as vitally relevant, as politically prophetic, and as theologically significant today, as it did yesterday.… (more)

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An amazing look into Bonhoeffer's tragically abbreviated life, and the theological thought he didn't live long enough to fully flesh out. This edition contains additional letters to his mentor, Eberhard Bethge, as well as an appendix that re-prints an article for Union Theological Seminary written by his fiance after his execution. That appendix was probably the most difficult for me to read. Bonhoeffer hints at wrestling with the decision that landed him in the Nazi prison here. For anyone interested in his theological thought or life, this must be on your shelf. (

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David_Brown | Aug 15, 2022 |

One of the great classics of prison literature, Letters and Papers from Prison effectively serves as the last will and testament of the Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a young German pastor who was executed by the Nazis in 1945 for his part in the “officers’ plot” to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

StFrancisofAssisi | Feb 2, 2021 |

Always an important and inspiration book for us.

RobertForsythe | Jul 19, 2011 |

A very difficult work to get through emotionally, especially if you know the background of the circumstances. Bonhoeffer was part of a conspiracy against Hitler and was imprisoned in April 1943 on unrelated charges. This book represents the correspondence between Bonhoeffer and his family and friends, especially Eberhard Bethge, to whom he sent letters illegally. The book tells the story of Bonhoeffer's hopes and dreams along with this theological reflections in his circumstance.

The personal information is quite interesting. Anyone who expects the book to be mostly about theology will be rather disappointed; nevertheless, the thoughts that Bonhoeffer does put down are quite good and worthy of consideration, especially in regards to the Christian's relationship to the Old Testament and what it means to be a Christian in a "post-God" world.

A book worth reading if one has a good understanding of Bonhoeffer through other works. (

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deusvitae | Aug 14, 2009 |

Bonhoeffer writes to his fiance, family, and friends with a deep sense of hope even when his days were getting darker.

He mentioned at one point that the Nazi government's horrible crimes served as proof for the need of a theocracy. Bonhoeffer died as a supporter of the church and as a believer in the reign of God over and against evil. (

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awhayouseh | Mar 8, 2007 |

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich	—	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Bethge, Eherhard	Editor	secondary author	all editions	confirmed
Fuller, Reginald H.	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

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Is abridged in

Letters and Papers from Prison: An Abridged Edition by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Is an expanded version of

Letters and Papers from Prison {original edition} by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Letters and Papers from Prison {enlarged edition}

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This is an enlarged edition of Letters and Papers from Prison. Do not combine with original collection.

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One of the great classics of prison literature, Letters and Papers from Prison effectively serves as the last will and testament of the Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a young German pastor who was executed by the Nazis in 1945 for his part in the "officers' plot" to assassinate Adolf Hitler. This expanded version of Letters and Papers from Prison shifts the emphasis of earlier editions of Bonhoeffer's theological reflections to the private sphere of his life. His letters appear in greater detail and show his daily concerns. Letters from Bonhoeffer's parents, siblings, and other relatives have also been added, in addition to previously inaccessible letters and legal papers referring to his trial. Acute and subtle, warm and perceptive, yet also profoundly moving, the documents collectively tell a very human story of loss, of courage, and of hope. Bonhoeffer's story seems as vitally relevant, as politically prophetic, and as theologically significant today, as it did yesterday.

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