Interesting book about an event I didn't know too much about. The peasants were quite unhappy with their circumstances.

When I saw Summer of Fire and Blood: The German Peasant’s War on NetGalley I wanted to read it immediately. I primarily enjoy historical fiction but throw in some nonfiction history here and there, especially if I want to learn more about the era.

This book is very robust! It is full of information gleaned from years of study. Lyndal Roper has searched out the reasons for all sides of this terrible event and fully explains them. I learned a lot and feel I have a better grip on the subject now.

It shouldn’t be, but it was surprising to learn how the clergy used religious fever to incite the peasants to desire change. And afterward the same clergy threw the blame back on those same peasants when it made the clergy look bad.

I now understand the unequal relationship between the peasants and the lords and their belief that they had the ability to break away and govern themselves. The more I learned about the plight of the peasants, the more I understood their reasons for revolt. Every part of their life was scrutinized, ruled and taxed.

I like that Roper includes the everyday items and routines the peasants led. How their belongings were made, animals kept, crops produced and how the Lords were involved in even these simple items. The book is very thorough and interesting.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator Rose Akroyd did an amazing job. She has a very smooth, pleasant voice and it added to my enjoyment.

If you are interested in this era of history, Summer of Fire and Blood, you need to read this book!

Many thanks to Lyndal Roper and Hachette Audio for the ARV via NetGalley!

This book covers a subject I've long had an interest in but didn't have a good source for until now. It's very academic in tone and style at times but that's to be expected. It was consistently engaging and detailed in its description of events. Lyndal Roper clearly has an excellent command of the source material. Rose Akroyd was also a great narrator, giving life to the text and deftly handling all the German pronunciations.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the Audio ARC!

Summer of Fire and Blood is a fascinating account of the German Peasants' War of 1524 and 1525. I knew very little about this time period before listening to this book, and it was fascinating to learn more about Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformation, and the various consequences and tumult that arose. The author does a good job of conveying a lot of information in a way that is very readable and interesting. Definitely a good choice for the history buff!

Years ago, reading Colm Toibin's The Magician, I realized how very little I knew about the revolutions of central Europe and German history more specifically. I have been on a mission in the years since to fix that hole in my education.

Lyndal Roper's Summer of Fire and Blood could not have more perfectly fit the bill if it tried. In Summer of Fire and Blood, we find ourselves in the 16th century Germany. The peasants are revolting, Martin Luther is riling up the ruling class, and the world is changing with every passing day.

This is a sad story but I truly learned so much. I especially enjoyed seeing Martin Luther painted in a less than holy light. I came away from Summer of Fire and Blood knowing I was much better versed in the history of our world.

The audio version was easy to listen to and well paced. I would highly recommend this format to other fans of history.

Between 1524 and 1525 The German Peasants’ War took place across Germany. Men joined together and marched, fought and en route torched and plundered monasteries, convents and castles. They left their mark on history.

Very well written and well narrated book (I listened to the audiobook). This book explains what the peasants felt and believed about religion, land, freedom and servitude. Enjoy.