Paperback, 128pp. Published by Day One Publications, Ryelands Road, Leominster, HR6 8NZ. Price £10.00. ISBN 978-1-84625-160-3

The size of this little book masks its worth. In its ‘Travel with’ series, Day One Publications have provided another very valuable volume, an introduction to William Tyndale’s life and work. His sterling efforts lie behind our KJV New Testament and much of the Old Testament and resulted in the publication of the first translation of the New Testament from the Greek text into English in 1525.

Its impact has been immeasurable both on the life of this land and on the whole world. Melvyn Bragg is not exaggerating when he describes it as ‘the most influential book there has ever been in the history of language, English or any other’.

The greatness of Tyndale’s work must be assessed not only on its scholarship but also against the circumstances under which he completed his task. Opposed by many of the church leaders of his day and even by King Henry VIII, he nevertheless overcame all obstacles in order to make possible his dream that ‘ere many years I will cause that a boy that driveth a plough shall know more of the Scriptures than thou (a friar) dost’. His earthly reward was martyrdom in 1536.


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