Book Review: Bach Biography

Can you tell that I have been doing a lot of reading lately?

Yesterday, I finished Glory and Honor - The Musical and Artistic Legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach by Gregory Wilbur. First of all, let me say that I enjoy the books in this series, Leaders in Action. It is refreshing to read a biography about a Christian where the author is also a Christian, and therefore can understand what it means to be a Christian. So many biographers ignore or downplay their subject's Christianity because they don't understand it.

I did not know anything about Bach before I read this book. Well, I knew that he composed music, but that's about all. I was amazed to find out that this man was a genius who did not care if he received acclaim from the world because his purpose was to bring glory to God. As a matter of fact, the music he wrote was not appreciated much at all during his lifetime.

In addition to writing superb music, Bach also cared about theology which you can see just from reading some of his cantatas. He took care of his family which oftentimes included extended family. He had fun, and he enjoyed teaching.

If you are looking for a good biography to read, I recommend this one.