The Reformation Enhanced Ebook

"The Reformation" (1500—1650) provides an overview of the European world from the late-15th to the mid-17th century. From Columbus's discovery of the New World to the grisly beheading of England's Charles I, the Reformation was a period of restless exploration, and often bloody, religious and political protest. Martin Luther, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and the Italian astronomer Galileo are among the historic figures vividly described in this richly illustrated text. Challenging map exercises and provocative review questions encourage meaningful reflection and historical analysis. Tests and answer keys included.

Although the connection between the invention of printing and the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century has long been a scholarly commonplace, there is still a great deal of evidence about the relationship to be presented and analysed. This collection of authoritative reviews by distinguished historians deals with the role of the book in the spread of the Reformation all over the continent, identifying common European experiences and local peculiarities. It summarises important recent work on the topic from every major European country, introducing English-speakers to much important and previously inaccessible research.

The Reformation was the seismic event in European history over the past 1000 years, and one which tore the medieval world apart. Not just European religion, but thought, culture, society, state systems, personal relations - everything - was turned upside down. Just about everything which followed in European history can be traced back in some way to the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation which it provoked. The Reformation is where the modern world painfully and dramatically began, and MacCulloch's great history of it is recognised as the best modern account.

The tremendous changes in the role and significance of religion during Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation affected all of society. Yet, there have been few attempts to view medicine and the ideas underpinning it within the context of the period and see what changes it underwent. Medicine and the Reformation charts how both popular and official religion affected orthodox medicine as well as more popular healers. Illustrating the central part played by medicine in Lutheran teachings, the Calvinistic rationalization of disease, and the Catholic responses, the contributors offer new perspectives on the relation of religion and medicine in the early modern period. It will be of interest to social historians as well as specialists in the history of medicine.

The Reformation and Counter-Reformation represented the greatest upheaval in Western society since the collapse of the Roman Empire a millennium before. The consequences of those shattering events are still felt today—from the stark divisions between (and within) Catholic and Protestant countries to the Protestant ideology that governs America, the world’s only remaining superpower. In this masterful history, Diarmaid MacCulloch conveys the drama, complexity, and continuing relevance of these events. He offers vivid portraits of the most significant individuals—Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Loyola, Henry VIII, and a number of popes—but also conveys why their ideas were so powerful and how the Reformation affected everyday lives. The result is a landmark book that will be the standard work on the Reformation for years to come. The narrative verve of The Reformation as well as its provocative analysis of American culture’s debt to the period will ensure the book’s wide appeal among history readers.

"Inside Christianity" covers the development, spread, teachings, practices, holy days, and festivals of the world's largest religion. In addition to valuable historical and practical information, this book provides review questions, questions for discussion, key word lists, a test, and an answer key. These features facilitate student assimilation of the fundamentals of a religion practiced by an estimated 2 billion people around the globe. Whether your objective is a comprehensive study of Christianity or a simple overview, this book affords you the opportunity to easily accomplish either one. You will be delighted to observe your students' growing understanding of how the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth changed the course of history.

Guillaume Farel (1489-1565) was one of the key figures in the early Genevan reformation, but his legacy has become largely overshadowed by towering figure of Calvin. Seeking to contribute to a better understanding of the French-speaking reform movement, this volume offers a rich portrait of Farel's early thought by way of interpretive essays and translations of primary source texts. The translations of the second half of the volume are some of the first widely-accessible full-length translations of Farel's work into English.

"The Age of Absolutism" (1650—1789) covers the final years of the last great European monarchies and the divestiture of monarchical power through reform and revolution. Emphasis is given to the absolute reign of Louis XIV of France, and the growth of constitutional monarchy in late-17th century England. Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke, and their theorectical impact on the unraveling of royal power and the revolutions in France and America are discussed. Challenging map exercises and provocative review questions encourage meaningful reflection and historical analysis. Tests and answer keys included.