Reviews

The Reformation: A History by Diarmaid MacCulloch

jacksonhager's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition

3.0

Comprehensive, but dry.

julis's review

challenging informative slow-paced

5.0

Is it impenetrable? Occasionally, yes. Is it long? Very. Is it the best book I’ve read on the subject, hands down? 100%.
This is not an introductory work, but it is impeccably cited, incredibly thorough, and deeply fascinating. Also manages to not be racist, sexist, or homophobic, which are all accomplishments. It deals extensively with the impact of the Reformation on women and those today who would be queer--and it does so very well

skitch41's review

5.0

This is another book that has been sitting on my shelf, unread, for some time. Now, I've finally finished reading it and I am glad that I did. Mr. MacCulloch sweeps through the Reformation with an energy and verve that is not found in many similar, one-volume accounts of history. And he is quite adept at switching between the historical, theological, and social aspects of the period that tore Western Europe apart. For those who have taken a course on modern Western history, the basic outline of the Reformation will be familiar to the lay reader. But because he doesn't tie himself down to one particular historical figure or theology or even interpretation of events, but endeavors to explain everything, there will be countless historical nuggets that will surprise many. The lack of corruption, as portrayed by Protestants, in the Catholic church is just one of many. This book also shows the beginning of things that still profoundly impact our world today: the marketplace, and competition, of ideas; proto-public education as begun in catechisms and Sunday schools; missionary and evangelical movements (which explains why there is a revivalist-evangelical "crusade" going on next door to me for the next three weeks) and the ever-present question of how to interpret the Holy Bible and worship God and his Son, Jesus Christ. For those who are interested in the Western world and how it came to be, this is a book not to be missed.

lnatal's review

2.0

500 years after the Reformation, Diarmaid MacCulloch examines how the announcement of a university seminar in Germany led to the division of Europe. He examines the ideas of Martin Luther, where they came from and why they proved so revolutionary, tracing their development and influence, and reflecting on what they mean for us today.

Producer: Dixi Stewart.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b087pr2y