Title: Hope of
Ages Past
By: Bruce
Gardner
A CBM Christian
Book Review
10.0 out of
10.0 stars
Hope of Ages Past by
Bruce Gardner presents a vibrant and timeless literary masterpiece set amidst one
of the most brutal conflicts in world history: the European Thirty Years War. This
fight for religious freedom, stemming from post-Reformation Protestant
resistance to Catholicism, included a series of battles that spanned three
decades (AD 1618-1648) and ultimately resulted in more than 8 million deaths from violence, famine, and plague.
Blending historical and fictional
elements of war, major battles, and famous personages, the author produces an inspiring
tale of resolute faith and spirited romance—both fighting desperately against
the raging quest for worldly gain, political power and agendas, and religious
zealotry.
In the riveting, engaging
and intriguing novel prologue, the author first gives an overview of the central
European nations still in turmoil as a result of Martin Luther’s famous
“Ninety-Five Theses” and doctrine of “Sola Scriptura” (The Bible Alone)
promulgated a hundred years earlier. Faced with these Protestant “heresies,” the Catholic-led
Holy Roman Empire wants to retain absolute power, while Protestants strive to retain
their freedom to worship despite attempts at suppression by various Catholic
factions and governors. The war ignites in AD 1618 with armed rebellion by
Protestant agitators in Prague, and central Europe is soon turned into a raging
war zone.
A decade later, the
historical and religious conflict ushers in lives that are changed, namely the
main character Peter Erhart, who is now a Lutheran pastor in Magdeburg,
Germany, and Hans Mannheim, a Catholic man whom Peter had tried to help in the
1618 Prague rebellion. Peter joins together with a third notable character—Anna
Ritter, a young and very beautiful peasant girl who has secretly admired Peter for
many years—initiating the romance element of the novel. Many other characters
(mostly fictional, some based on real historical characters) add shape to the
novel as the author provides a thrilling and suspenseful look into the lives,
culture and temperaments of individuals and families caught in the crossfire of
the horrific war that by now has engulfed all of Germany.
Wonderfully descriptive and
concisely written with well-developed characters, this novel draws readers in
and keeps them there, intertwined with the epic saga, making them feel they are
right there in the book with the characters. Gardner has paid close attention
to details and events that line-up with historical accuracy to create and lay a firm foundation for the story. As tensions mount, battles rage, and personal
trials ensue, the author further reflects on the themes of God’s goodness,
forgiveness, love, hope and restoration that bring resounding applause for this
book as a tribute to the idea that “hope is worth fighting for” despite the
harsh strife, struggles, devastation and personal loss that so insidiously characterized
the era. Again, HOPE is worth holding on to, for God will never let you
down!
Inspirational and
thought-provoking, one will not be disappointed with this work of historical
fiction.