A review by bennought
The Reformation: A History by Diarmaid MacCulloch

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.