Franz Jagerstatter

Letters and Writings from Prison

By: Erna Putz

Narrated by: Joshua Saxon

Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer, a devoted husband and father, and a devout Catholic, was executed in 1943 as a result of his refusal to serve in the Nazi army. Before taking this stand Jägerstätter consulted both his pastor and his local bishop, who instructed him to do his duty to the fatherland and to obey the law, an instruction that violated his conscience.

For many years Jägerstätter's solitary witness was honored by the Catholic peace movement, while viewed with discomfort by many of his fellow Austrians. Now, with his beatification in 2007, his witness has been embraced by the universal church. He stands as one of the great witnesses and martyrs of our time.

©2009 Orbis Books (P)2021 David N. Wilson

"Better Than If My Will Were In Chains"

They say faith without works is dead and Jagerstatter's is an inspired example of this. I had never heard of him but his writing makes one question values. This is one text that is not rhetorical so that was refreshing that it is a profound (auto)biography rather than some thought experiment. I was humbled and inspired. His sure hope in justice and eternal life through conscience. As an atheist I found his faith interesting in a world we see no belief on this level. Largely filled with love and home news but veering into deeper tooics the first half of the text feels more philosophical for some reason and the second half slower. Narrator Joshua Saxton is a powerhouse with this stuff.

Excellent

The narration is perfect in my opinion. Deliberate and pace allows time for listener to understand thee we significance of what is being communicated. A strong reminder of what is expected of us by Jesus!