Part 2, Chapters 2, 3 and 4 Summary and Analysis

"Tubingen, 1923"

The year 1923 saw several changes in the over-achieving Bonhoeffer family; the eldest daughter got married, the eldest son obtained a significant position in a scientific institute, and Bonhoeffer himself left for college. At around the same time, the author points out, Hitler made his first attempt at gaining control of the German government, was imprisoned for treason, and spent his time in jail writing the infamous manifesto of his beliefs, "Mein Kampf." At the conclusion of this chapter, the author reveals how a minor head injury was the catalyst for Bonhoeffer to plan for the next phase of his academic journey, which took him to Rome.

"Roman Holiday, 1924"

Accompanied by his brother Klaus, Bonhoeffer traveled to Rome where for the first time he was exposed to, among other things, the Roman Catholic Church. This, the author...