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alexisrt's review against another edition
A Reformation by Diarmaid MacCulloch (2004)
randomprogrammer's review against another edition
This book is an absolute slog. It would benefit so much from a cohesive narrative thread. There is so much potential to spend even a little time getting me invested in some of the historical characters and what will eventually happen to them, however this author absolutely refuses to draw my interest. I've heard it argued that it is 'less biased' this way, but I don't think you need to introduce bias to create interest. Just maintain a narrative thread.
Otherwise, this was a very interesting book with a lot of information to consume. Sometimes I definitely felt like I needed to keep a wikipedia summary of the times open next to me while reading, as the author definitely assumes prior background knowledge of the era.
I interrupted my reading of The Cheese and the Worms in order to read this book and get some background knowledge, and I definitely think that was a good decision.
This book was holding me up from reading other stuff, and I stopped reading at about the 60% mark in early november, after realizing that I was only reading it during car-rides about 2 weeks in.
Otherwise, this was a very interesting book with a lot of information to consume. Sometimes I definitely felt like I needed to keep a wikipedia summary of the times open next to me while reading, as the author definitely assumes prior background knowledge of the era.
I interrupted my reading of The Cheese and the Worms in order to read this book and get some background knowledge, and I definitely think that was a good decision.
This book was holding me up from reading other stuff, and I stopped reading at about the 60% mark in early november, after realizing that I was only reading it during car-rides about 2 weeks in.
bennought's review against another edition
5.0
Masterful in its depth and argument, epic in its scope, and clearly and beautifully written; there is no question this book can, should, and will become one of the standard and most long-lasting texts on the Reformation. As with his wonderful [b:A History Of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years|6957725|A History Of Christianity The First Three Thousand Years|Diarmaid MacCulloch|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327962392s/6957725.jpg|7194000], Professor MacCulloch goes back before the technical 'beginning' of the topic covered. He uses Medieval European Christianity, with healthy doses of information from even earlier Christianity, to help set the stage for and explain how/why the Reformation played out as it did. Western Europe isn't the only geographical area treated, either. Along with the Reformation came the Age of Exploration, and the exportation of the newer Christianities as well as both pre- and, especially post-Tridentine Catholicism. How the implanting of these religions affected local communities, as well as why certain trends in where and how they were implanted, are also touched on, though unfortunately not in quite too much depth. It is a bit of a tome, but if you're interested in the Reformation it is very much worth the time investment.
jameskeates's review against another edition
5.0
A detailed examination of a hugely long and complex series of historical events that have had such influence on the shape of Europe to this day.
MacCulloch writes clearly, bringing to life obscure theological debates and individual human emotions, politics and piety clashing across the continent, from Ireland to Transylvania. He also manages to include the pre-reformation background and the afterlife of the religious split in the colonies of the Protestant and Catholic powers. With no affiliation to either side, MacCulloch presents a fair and factual account that goes beyond Henry VIII and Bloody Mary.
Highly recommended.
MacCulloch writes clearly, bringing to life obscure theological debates and individual human emotions, politics and piety clashing across the continent, from Ireland to Transylvania. He also manages to include the pre-reformation background and the afterlife of the religious split in the colonies of the Protestant and Catholic powers. With no affiliation to either side, MacCulloch presents a fair and factual account that goes beyond Henry VIII and Bloody Mary.
Highly recommended.
cdbaker's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent (but v long) overview of the Reformation. Now I think I need to learn more about the 30 years war.
statman's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't ever read a book on the topic and it is one that I've been interested in for some time so I was excited to read this book. I was a little disappointed. This is a lengthy book of over 700 pages and it is very, very detailed. It was difficult to keep up with all the names and places as the author covers the many different individuals who were part of the Reformation throughout Europe. It helps you realize how complex and big the Reformation was as it was the product of many individuals across many countries over a fairly long period of time. It would be helpful to have a good background in European history to better follow the book. The first two-thirds of the book is more of a chronological history and the last third covers some common themes and topics without the chronology. If you are looking for a high level overview of the Reformation, this is not the book for you.
davehershey's review against another edition
4.0
If you want a one-stop history of the Reformation, this book is the place to go. Rather than tackling each area separately (German Reformation, Swiss Reformation, Catholic Reformation, etc.), MacCulloch provides us with a story that weaves all of these various plots together. In doing this some depth is sacrificed, so if you want to learn more about a particular figure or event you have to look elsewhere. But if you want to see the whole story, complete with background leading up to the Reformation and results of it, this book is great. My only complaint is that the Anabaptists seem to get short shrift, Menno Simons only gets one paragraph!