By William Lower
The Typo
In the Name of God
Hysterical Historical Fiction
You’re a manuscript illustrator in Florence, a publishing Mecca, in the 15th century. Then comes the printing press. Your career is about to end. Your client, the local monastery, invites you to a viewing of a newly pressed Gutenberg Bible. And what do you discover? The world’s first typo. The Abbott tasks you with taking the book back to Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, to be corrected. But not everyone in the church wants the book corrected; they want only the church to be trusted with the Scriptures. So plans are made to thwart your journey. The monastery’s head guard, Gabriele, is assigned to protect you on your journey.
In Florence, you have had romantic attractions to a baker’s daughter, as have almost every man in Florence. But during your journey, you find yourself falling in love with a man: your guardian. But this is the Age of the Inquisition.
It is uncanny how this story reflects the world we live in today.
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Readers' Reviews

“One of the best books I have reviewed this year. I wish I could give it six stars. If I were asked to describe The Typo by William Lower in one word, it would be ‘amazing,’ but then I would also add quirky, laugh-aloud, perceptive, different, and original. I loved it. In the first chapter, the author mentions several names, but as the story progresses, they all fit together in a thrilling tale set in the fifteenth century. The descriptions of the towns and buildings are delightful, and the references to dialogue, which are compared to today, are hilarious. The characters are alive and leap off the page. I could relate to all of them, even those who are making their living on the wrong side of the law. In many places, I laughed out loud. This book will appeal to anyone with a sense of humor and a different take on a piece of history. I highly recommend this book to any reader, not just those who like history but who also enjoy tales of adventure and travel through Europe centuries ago.”
Lucinda E Clarke 5 Stars Readers Favorite

“William Lower peppered The Typo with modern-day equivalences and poked fun at historical records, giving the story that element of farce, which tempered the danger and seriousness of the time of the Inquisition. I appreciate the corollary between the introduction of the first printed Holy Scriptures and the age of the internet and the relentless rise of AI. The Church of the fifteenth century definitely faced an enormous challenge with accessible scripturesfor the masses and not just the wealthy and highly educated. No longer would the Church have ultimate authority or rule with absolute power, using fear as their ultimate weapon. This was a time of great change, and danger during the Inquisition. The author does a tremendous job of developing the characters and unfolding their true natures, feelings, and thoughts as the novel progresses. I particularly appreciated Antonio’s approach to the development of the printing press. Rather than seeing it as ending his career, he could see new possibilities springing from its introduction and acceptance. It is abundantly clear that this story is far from finished, and I am excited to learn what Antonio may have discovered in the Papal Library. This story is a fantastic read, beautifully told with a delicate touch, and I highly recommend it.”
Grant Leishman 5 Stars Readers Favorite

“The novel is a unique blend of historical fiction, adventure, comedy, and religious and social commentary, drawing parallels to contemporary times. Antonio is a charming protagonist, erudite but naive about the world at large and somewhat scatterbrained in conversations. His interactions and growing relationship with the pragmatic, no-nonsense Gabriele make for hilarious and touching moments. While this duo takes the spotlight, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the minor characters, especially the oddly compelling dynamic between Lorenzo and his partners in crime. William Lower excels at balancing scenes of intrigue and tension with comedic moments that border on the surreal, and a historical tour through the Holy Roman Empire, allowing us time to pause and take in the sights and people. I recommend The Typo as a treat for fans of historical fiction and a source of commentary on modern life.”
Gabriel Santos 4 Stars Readers Favorite

The Typo by William Lower is wonderfully written and takes the reader on a gripping journey filled with unexpected directions and moral dilemmas. This thought-provoking work got me thinking about various historical events, such as the Inquisition, and how events like the translation of the Bible affected the cause of Christianity. The characters are well-developed, and the work is filled with well-crafted dialogue that brings the story to life. The plot flowed seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion, and William also ensured all events were vividly captured, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. The reader will also appreciate the excellent narration, which adds to the overall beauty of the work. This was a good read, and I look forward to reading something else by William Lower.
Frank Mutuna 5 Stars Readers Favorite

Intrigue, adventure, and a touch of buffoonery align perfectly in The Typo: In The Name Of God by William Lower, resulting in a well-crafted, unique, and amusing tale. The story centers on a seemingly straightforward quest, yet there is much more to this novel. Themes of camaraderie, the struggle between those who seek progress and those who oppose it, and subtle but keen societal observations are present throughout the narrative. Character development is exceptional, featuring a cast of unique and thoughtfully crafted individuals, with Gabriele in particular “stealing the show”. The pacing is brisk and lively, complemented by lighthearted prose filled with delightful surprises. Sure to enchant fans of historical fiction and adventure stories, The Typo is an exceptional title that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Gaius Konstante 5 Stars Readers Favorite
Author & Humorist
William Lower
William Lower is a writer fascinated by the interplay of humor, history, and the human experience. His journey began in the creative realm of advertising working with industry icons like Mary Wells Lawrence and James Patterson. Writing has been the foundation of his professional life and he has authored satire and nonfiction works and hundreds of colums.
His latest project , The Typo: In the Name of God, is a historical fiction set in 1461 Florence, Italy—a satirical tale of one man’s quest to correct the world’s first typo. Beyond fiction, his eclectic works include Dead Day Horoscopes, illustrated by award-winning artist Attila Lörincz, and My Conversations with AI, an exploration of technology, AI’s future, and our future in an AI world. Humor has been a constant thread throughout his work, as has an underlying curiosity about human spirituality.
He is currently in development with Paul Schulman with a stage production about the extraordinary Mary Wells Lawrence. Whether it’s books, articles, or stage productions, my mission is to entertain, provoke thought, and bring a smile to your day.
His work has garnered scores of awards including from the Cannes Film Festival.
The best writer I have ever had
for such a short period of time.
James Patterson
As he began his novel-writing career, leaving the world of advertsing.
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