This book presents Luther's life in chronological sequence and in the languge of contemporary documents. These documents express more vividly than the connected narrative of later historians the multiplicity and complexity of the swift-moving events in which Luther was involved. They highlight the human contacts involved and reveal Luther's amazing industry and productivity as a university teacher, author, and tireless traveler. The pictures and excerpts from Luther's own writings and from those of his friends and foes are intended to communicate to the reader something of the direct impact which events of that historic hour had upon those caught up in them. -- Preface.