The Reformation: (Universal History)

Although for generations the Reformation was regarded as a major turning point in European history, in recent years its significance has been downgraded. But in this book Professor Collinson sets out to restore a sense of the Reformation as a momentous historical event. He brilliantly explores the complexities and corruption of the late-medieval Catholic Church - and the Europe-wide reform movement which produced Lutherans, Calvinists, Huguenots, Presbyterians and the Church of England, and which profoundly shaped the identity of the emerging nation-states of Europe.

About the Author :
Patrick Collinson is Emeritus Professor of History at Cambridge University, where he was Regius Professor of Modern History between 1988 and 1996.

Review :
Patrick Collinson has written a piece for BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE which will run in their July issue, out in June. Finished copies have come in, and an extensive mailing has gone out. Patrick Collinson will be interviewed on THE SUNDAY PROGRAMME (ITV), to be aired on 6 July. We've had some fantastic reviews... 'Over 40 years, the history of English Protestantism has been transformed -more by Patrick Collinson...than by anyone else...This brilliant, charged little book...is a work of tough thinking, the late fruit of a working lifetime's reflection.'Blair Worden, THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH '[a] sparkling...study...The first 100 pages offer a series of brilliantly compressed narrative accountsof the main strands of the Reformation - Lutheran Germany, the radical "sects", the Swiss Reformation, the British Reformations. Each is admirably done, crystal clear, pacey and with a seasoned teacher's eye for telling anecdote or the rudest joke to ease down the diet of facts...If you have time for only one short account of the Reformation, you could hardly do better than this.'Eamon Duffy. SUNDAY TIMES '...excellent...he [Collinson] has packed his vast knowledge into little more than 50,000 words...For anyone interested in the evolution of the English way of life, this is a vital and informative book, andit will tell you about much else besides.'Simon Heffer, COUNTRY LIFE 'Collinson's story is slick and amusing. The light touches he employs bring the characters to life in a way that is convincing and subtle.'John Townsend, CATHOLIC HERALD 'An elegant survey of the movement an its effect across Europe, Professor Collinson's book also touches on some of the different interpretations to which the Reformation has been subjected in recent years.'Alastair Hamilton, TLS (5.9.03) 'Somehow, he has managed it, in 12 short chapters: definations; medieval issues; the vernacular Bible; Luther; the radicals; Calvin; Catholic reform and Counter Reformation; Britain; the politics of religious change; communities and families; iconoclasm; and the significance of the whole thing, It is crisp, clear, epigrammatic and memorable...It is great fun to read.'Christopher Haigh, THE TABLET '[an] absorbing, incisive study...A powerful book.'GOOD BOOK GUIDE There has also been a review in LIVING HISTORY magazine.