John Huss: His Life, Teachings And Death

By: David . Schaff

Narrated by: Dan Kassis

Length: 11 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tumultuous and rapidly changing climate of the 15th century, John Huss of Bohemia made a greater impact on Europe and the Christian church than any other man. With his abstract view of the scriptures and his confrontational relationship with the Church, he shook the world in his day like no other.Follow along with historian David Schaff as he tells the gripping story of John Huss, who mounted the world scene at the height of the controversy between the Catholic Church and the ever-growing views of the English reformer and teacher, John Wycliffe. Huss was a man struggling to find righteousness, in doing so he also tried to lead others in the same truth which he had found. Standing true to his convictions even unto death, John Huss became one of the greatest influences on Martin Luther in his struggle to bring reform to the Roman Church. After stumbling upon Huss' writings, Luther said, "I was overwhelmed with astonishment. I could not understand for what cause they had burnt so great a man, who explained the scriptures with so much gravity and skill."

Journey back in time and discover not only the theological but the personal side of John Huss and see what made him the greatest man in the 15th century.

©2013 Delmarva Publications, Inc. (P)2014 Delmarva Publications, Inc.

Good but slow

This is a good book. The reading was slow. I played it at 1.25-1.5x speed and it was still very intelligible. That being said the reader enunciates well. The last 2-3 chapters seem to repeat or summarize the book but the book certainly is thorough in its full representation of Huss' life.

I would recommend this one over them all.

If you could sum up John Huss: His Life, Teachings And Death in three words, what would they be?

The life of John Huss would be an inspiration to anyone. In the face of sure death, he stood on what he believed to be the right. He was not stubbornly obstinate, but resolute in his convictions. In a time when people have so little convictions, it is refreshing to read about those who do.
In this biography, David Schaff tells how that Huss was a great inspiration to Martin Luther almost a hundred years later.
I have studied history for 35 years now and this book is very accurate, because of that I give it five stars. The narrator was also very professional, really catching the feeling of the book and drawing you into the 15th century, therefore I give it five stars.
I have read many books on the subjects, and if someone was looking for a true depiction of the times and the life of John Huss, then I would recommend this one over them all.

What about Dan Kassis’s performance did you like?

The narrator was also very professional, really catching the feeling of the book and drawing you into the 15th century, therefore I give it five stars.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Huss was before the council pleading to be heard.

A well-rounded history

David Schaff has done a masterful piece of work in writing this book.

Well-rounded in covering the history as well as Jan Huss's doctrine.

entertaining and informative

the story has a lot of clues to understand the Hussain trial. I wanted to read more about sermons and doctrinal debates.

Incredible story and life

I learned about the pre-Reformation, how Huss inspired Martin Luther and the heresy of the Catholic Church and so much more. This book sat in my wish list ever since I heard John MacArthur talk about John Huss. I can't believe I waited so long to download this book absolutely incredible!!

An Unbelievably Inspiring Man of God

I've seen many remarking that this book is slow and hard to push through, but I cannot say I disagree more. Maybe it's because I'm so fascinated by the man of God John Huss, among others, but this is such a good read, in my opinion. As a theology and religion major, I am so captivated by such stories and accounts of lives changed by the Awesome hand of God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is still alive and thriving to this day because of men such as John Huss and authors such as David Schaff who write about said men. And lastly, the narration of Dan Kassis made this book that much better than it would have been initially.

Another piece of the puzzle of Christian history

I find the history of the Christian faith extremely interesting. I have followed its birth, decline and reformation for many years. This was an interesting part of the reformation that I had been missing. The church in that time was unable to recognize its short comings and lashed out against those who had the vision to recognize these problems, much as is the case with Christianity of the modern era. Well worth reading.

If you looking for facts about Hus.

I appreciate the historical background of this book. I was hoping to get a clearer feeling for Hus's voice not just what he did and stood for. The author's defense of Canon law seemed to put him in the enemies camp.

Very dry and annoying music at chapter breaks.

The content gets repetitive and at the beginning and end of each chapter there is annoying church music. Not enough history of the Hussite wars and aftermath of John Huss' death.

Doesn't do justice to Jan Huss!

The Book / Narration is difficult to follow, both because of the many unnecessary anecdotes included as well as the wealth of unnecessary Catholic information supplied to "embellish" the story.

During the listening I clearly perceived on innumerable occasions that the book sympathized with the Roman Catholic system and it proponents; a system which persecuted and murdered this saint of God.

The narrator rattles on making it extremely painful to follow. On repeated occasions I was forced to replay sections, which remained obscure even after re-listening to them!

Yet I came away with a very deep respect and immense admiration for Jan Huss which was in no wise attributable to either the author, nor the narrator!

This admiration is attributable to the golden facts of this pre-reformation shining star; which no manner of abstruse writing, neither painful narration is able to obscure.

To me Jan Huss is an incredible christian who wrestled with evil and all used by the devil to cajole and confound him. Yet he overcame under these most difficult and painful and solitary circumstances: He never abjured the Reformed teachings and helped establish the basis of Reformation doctrines which have benefited multitudes of Christians even to this day.

He is an absolute Hero. He is someone who for his day and age was incredibly brave; one who loved the Word of God, to the point that defied the entire popish system and fearlessly defended Scripture in the manner that Wycliffe, Knox and others did.

He deserves to have his life story told much more clearly and succinctly and defended in light of all he suffered for Christ; even unto death.