I’ve read tons on John Calvin, but this book is much more interesting and informative than any other book on him I’ve read. Calvin has contributed so much to theology,l, and this book has opened my eyes and helped me to appreciate his contributions even more.

John Calvin by Derek H. W. Thomas is a very solid and interesting book. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to most people, the extensive footnotes mean that anyone who seeks more depth can easily find it whilst the person who wants to skim along the surface will leave each chapter with enough information to keep them going

I really enjoy a good biography and this one was interesting because of the role this man played in the Christian Faith.

I am grateful to net galley and Crossway for an advance review copy of this book.

John Calvin is a man who continues to excite great debate amongst academics and lay people alike. This book seeks to serve as an introduction for those who dont know Calvin that well and also as a point of reference for those who do know him but want perhaps to know him a little better.

The book is able to achieve both these things, though perhaps tends towards having too much information in any one chapter rather than too little it may be a little intimidating for those who are just starting out on a journey with Calvin. Each chapter is written by a different scholar and takes a different theme in the life of Calvin from his early days to the time spent pastoring Geneva, through some of the more difficult aspects of the theology of Calvin.

On the whole i enjoyed this book and would recommend it to most people, the extensive footnotes mean that anyone who seeks more depth can easily find it whilst the person who wants to skim along the surface will leave each chapter with enough information to keep them going. All in all a good work

This is a comprehensive and erudite book about John Calvin. It encompasses his life, his work as a pastor and in his theology. The many -often well known- contributors write about one aspect of John Calvin. Here it is praiseworthy that often more neglected issues are dealt with, for example role of Christ, importance of Holy Spirit and role of faith among others.
Not all contributions are equally easy to understand as it is written for pastors and layperson. Nevertheless, I, as a layperson, found in each chapter something which I learned and the many citations and references to the scripture and Calvins writings make it easier. I found the book a pleasure to read. I also agree with one author that Calvin was in a sense very forward looking as he dealt with several, almost modern, issues.
This is not a book which should be read and then forgotten, it should rather be revisited again and again for deeper understanding.
I found this book enriching and the goal of the editors to have 'a primer and a resource' is amply fulfilled. Therefore, I would recommend it for any layperson who wants to deepen his/her understanding of Calvin and at the same time marvel at the intellectual might of this thinker.