By Jane Dawson

When I began this biography of Knox, I had high expectations. I was eager to learn more about the life of the famous Scottish reformer. However, this book was quite disappointing. It would probably be considered more of an academic biography than a spiritual biography. That is, it dealt more with his influence and thought, rather than his heart, his spiritual life, his family life, his character.

It was almost a political biography because he was so involved with the politics of his day with Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth and other leading figures.

Certainly, he was a prominent influence in Scotland in the mid-1500s.

The Knox of this biography was confrontational. Bold. Even harsh.