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Over time, their correspondence became more tortured. Hope faded. But a fellow prisoner recalled that Bonhoeffer "never tired of repeating that 'no battle is lost until it has been given up for lost."'

After his death, Maria moved to the United States, where she carved out a successful career in mathematics and computer technology. She also married and divorced, twice. One wonders what would have become of her marriage to Bonhoeffer.

But it is a moot point. This book is about a love that was never to be fulfilled, adding color and depth to our picture of Bonhoeffer. Maria's hand, like everything else in his short life, remained just beyond his reach. Even so, he could write to her: "Above all let us be careful not to feel sorry for ourselves; to do so would truly be a blasphemy on God, who means us well. For all our difficulties, let us say with Isaiah: 'Do not destroy it, for there is blessing in it.'"

This article originally appeared in the October, 23 1995, issue of Christianity Today. At the time, Murray Zoba was an associate editor for the magazine. She is now senior writer.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Don't miss our other Valentine's Day CT Classics, "What Hollywood Doesn't Know About Romantic Love" and "Does the Bible Really Say All That About Romance?"

For more information on Valentine's Day and it's history visit Christianity Today's Holiday area and read "Then Again, Maybe Don't Be my Valentine | Does Saint Valentine's Day have its origins in Christian tradition?"

ChristianityToday ran a story last June about a Bonhoeffer film, Agent of Grace, which explores the theologian's relationships and ministries.

PBS's official sitefor Agent of Grace has a biography of Bonhoeffer, viewing guide, transcript, interview with the director, an article on Bonhoeffer's legacy, a reading list, related links (Christian History makes the list) a poem, and other resources.

For Christian History Corner on the death of Bonhoeffer's best friend and biographer, Eberhard Bethge.

Books & Culture, a Christianity Today sister publication, reviewed two novels about Bonhoeffer in its September/October 1998 issue.

Love Letters From Cell 92 , now out of print, can be ordered through Amazon.com or other book retailers.

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February (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45