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klwalker91's review
4.0
I loved this book. The Inquisition is probably the first time that I had read a book that solely focuses on the history of the Inquisition. It was so interesting to get an insight into a history of brutality and violence that I had otherwise not been exposed too. More interesting for me was to understand the beginning of modern institutions that were created as a result of the Inquisition, to really see the impact that this period of hyper religion had on the modern age, about 200 years after its official disbanding.
Michael has an interesting way of writing which was very helpful towards understanding how society functioned throughout the period of the Inquisition. He made sure to not just focus on the church but also on its opposing cultures, such as the quenching of Paganism and the rise of Lutherism. Such rising or dispersing groups are fundamental to an understanding of the Inquisition and it was really great for Michael to focus on them with just as much emphasis as on the main group of the Catholic Church. I think it was also good that he didn't shy away from the brutality of the time, nor did he necessarily condemn it. He presented it as it was and made sure to show that it wasn't just the church which allowed this but also the very people who were ultimately condemned.
An interesting part of the book was Michel's focus on the way that the Inquisition operates in today's society. It was actually very shocking to see that the Holy Office which operated under the Grand Inquisitor, actually operates today, only under a different name. In fact, the Congregation For the Doctrine Of The Faith was run by the current pope and, while not responsible for the burnings of unfaithful, has certainly been responsible for the deaths of thousands of AIDS victims and for the excommunication of many more 'unfaithful' or inquisitive theologians.
However, I didn't give the book a five star rating because, in my opinion, I think Michael focused too much on the modern part of the Inquisition. By doing so, he tended to focus on issues that, while related to the current operation of the modern Inquisition, were not vital to an understanding of it and, by a result, started to become quite 'preachy' about how it operates. As I am not religious, I wasn't personally offended but by blurring the lines between a historical analysis and a modern review, he started to become more judgemental until even the last line was an examination of what he believes it's future to be. Don't get me wrong, I think it was still great but I would have preferred maybe just two chapters on the current Catholic Church, not five or so.
I would definitely suggest this book to any historical nut or anyone who really just wants to get to know the Catholic Church.
Michael has an interesting way of writing which was very helpful towards understanding how society functioned throughout the period of the Inquisition. He made sure to not just focus on the church but also on its opposing cultures, such as the quenching of Paganism and the rise of Lutherism. Such rising or dispersing groups are fundamental to an understanding of the Inquisition and it was really great for Michael to focus on them with just as much emphasis as on the main group of the Catholic Church. I think it was also good that he didn't shy away from the brutality of the time, nor did he necessarily condemn it. He presented it as it was and made sure to show that it wasn't just the church which allowed this but also the very people who were ultimately condemned.
An interesting part of the book was Michel's focus on the way that the Inquisition operates in today's society. It was actually very shocking to see that the Holy Office which operated under the Grand Inquisitor, actually operates today, only under a different name. In fact, the Congregation For the Doctrine Of The Faith was run by the current pope and, while not responsible for the burnings of unfaithful, has certainly been responsible for the deaths of thousands of AIDS victims and for the excommunication of many more 'unfaithful' or inquisitive theologians.
However, I didn't give the book a five star rating because, in my opinion, I think Michael focused too much on the modern part of the Inquisition. By doing so, he tended to focus on issues that, while related to the current operation of the modern Inquisition, were not vital to an understanding of it and, by a result, started to become quite 'preachy' about how it operates. As I am not religious, I wasn't personally offended but by blurring the lines between a historical analysis and a modern review, he started to become more judgemental until even the last line was an examination of what he believes it's future to be. Don't get me wrong, I think it was still great but I would have preferred maybe just two chapters on the current Catholic Church, not five or so.
I would definitely suggest this book to any historical nut or anyone who really just wants to get to know the Catholic Church.
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