This book was an excellent synthesis of many different movements in the 16th century that resolved in different ways. The way England, France, the Netherlands, and the Germanies each differed in their approach to the Reformation and how many different personalities and groups played their part is an exciting story. The complicated ways that geopolitical and material ends affected religious ends is fascinating and not always consistent or logical. Belloc reminds us that reading into the past is basically a lie. Nothing is predetermined and those who lived through those times had no inkling of what the result would be in their own lifetimes, much less hundreds of years after. I revised my thinking a bit and now see Queen Elizabeth as much less powerful and Martin Luther as much less influential than I had previously thought, surpassed by the Cecils and Jean Calvin.

ESPAÑOL: Así ocurrió la reforma

Ah, how wonderful books used to be in the early 1900s and before. We did not have popula

Essential reading for all Christians, especially those who have ever pondered the scandal of Christian disunity and wondered why it is so. The "reformation" was not a liberation from doctrinal error, but more aptly a revolution against temporal and spiritual authority of any kind. The personal abuses of Catholic clergy at this time (and there were many) were not doctrinal abuses of matters of faith, but offered the slightest opportunity for that devilish character at work in the world and the hearts of men to seize opportunity for power and wealth. John Calvin sowed the seeds of Protestantism with his works of systematic theology to devastating effect, popularly adopted by those enterprising men seeking a dismembering of authority for their own personal gain. Despite this turning point in history, the Lord's promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his Church holds true and the Catholic Church survived the protestant revolution as the lasting sign of Christian unity in the world. It shall be so until the end of the age.

Very clear description about most destructive event in history of Europe. It changed the course of human history forever. Mr. Belloc is fine writer and historian and how he describes such collapse of religius unity in Europe and how it efects people today is eye opening!

Interesting viewpoint on the Reformation.

So far I've enjoyed this read. It is a very balanced and unbiased account of the Reformation. I would love to re-read this book without distractions.

Included in the "History and Culture" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

Belloc is too good. He understands history and how it works more than anybody else I have thus far encountered. History is not just about facts and numbers and movement of troops and simple decisions made by a few people of influence of power. It is much more complicated than that. He somehow manages to see that and succinctly describes it all. The Reformation was not solely about the acceptance or rejection of Church teachings. A lot of it was dirty, dirty politics fit to belong in a book by Machiavelli. To write a book on history, especially when it comes to a story like The Reformation, one must have a thorough knowledge of human nature with all its vices, virtues, strengths, and weaknesses. Otherwise a book on history becomes superficial and boring (much like today's textbooks). Belloc gets human nature. He understands why certain decisions were made and hence he understands why certain events need to be given more due consideration than others. A history presented from such a perspective is a history full of life and vigour - a history, in other words, in line with reality.

The Reformation truly was a shipwreck for Europe. Although, of course, some good things and changes have since emerged from it.

This is surprisingly even-handed for a bombastic Catholic like Belloc; he has no illusions about the motives or methods of either side. The only thing that keeps it from five stars is his writing style, which is rather difficult to read in parts.

For Protestants, this is kind of like reading the Screwtape Letters version of history. Belloc mostly concentrates on the politics of the Reformation, not making much of an attempt to handle doctrinal matters (even in his discussion of Trent). His criticism is particularly (and surprisingly) mild towards Martin Luther and Henry VIII; he attributes the force of Protestantism to Calvin. Though his coverage draws suspicion, Belloc's perspective is occasionally insightful and it is hard to finish the book without sharing his grief over the Church's loss of unity.

I really enjoyed this book. Great easy read. But may be difficult if you do no have a good grasp on the Reformation and the essential players.