The truth about Martin Luther is that he not only shaped the German mentality, but embodied it like no other famous compatriot, whom he would likely have treated as he once advocated.

"If I baptize a Jew, I will lead him to the Elbe bridge, hang a stone around his neck, and throw him in, saying: 'I baptize you in the name of Abraham.'"

No wonder, then, that he is considered by the world to be the poster boy of German history.