The history of the Church-and in particular, the Reformation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries-is a fascinating subject of study. While individuals such as Martin Luther and John Calvin stand out, there are certainly other, though perhaps lesser-known, characters who left their own significant marks on history. John Frederick the Magnanimous was one such character. This biography of the Saxon elector who ruled from 1532 to 1547 is the first-ever English translation of Georg Mentz's original biography of John Frederick. Featuring abundant coverage of the elector's life and the political issues he faced, this biography also provides useful background for the study of Luther's later years, as well as a description of the Smalcald War following Luther's death.