The Reformation: History in an Hour: The History in an Hour Series

History In An Hour

by Edward A. Gosselin, Jonathan Keeble (Reading)

Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour. The Reformation was a long struggle of ideas between the established Catholic Church and the questioning of faith brought about by the Renaissance in Western Europe. Started by Martin Luther in 1517, religious dissidence spread across Europe throughout the sixteenth century, causing wars, migration and disunity. By 1648 Henry VIII's desire for divorce led him to break with the Catholic Church in Rome and form the Church of England. The Reformation: History in an Hour is a clear and comprehensive look at this long and complex period of religious change. It explains the major causes of the Reformation and the differences between Protestants and Catholics. It will help you understand the significance of the Reformation in European history in just one hour. Love history? Know your stuff with History in an Hour...

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

First published October 13, 2011

Reviews

[Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Renaissance was the period of the revivification of Art and Literature. Italy, France, England, and Spain were the few countries where the renaissance spread during the 13th and 14th centuries. Lambasting of religion and faith was common during that time. Edward A Gosselin limned that period beautifully in this book.

[Racheli Zusiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

ספר קצר המתאר בצורה ברורה ומפורטת את ההיסטוריה של תקופת הרפורמציה באירופה במאות ה-16-17. הוא מסכם את הנושא בצורה טובה, למרות שתכל'ס - עבורי הנושא לא היה כזה מעניין. כל מלחמות הדת האלו נראו לי מגוחכות לחלוטין והדגימו לי ביתר שאת עד כמה האנושות יכולה להיות מטומטמת ודוחה.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay, drier than the American Civil war 'history in an hour', although possibly the subject material is drier too!

It might be pedantic but in the opening sections it described the sale of indulgences and referred to them as reducing time in purgatory by a particular number of days. It is theologically naive to suppose that purgatory has 'time' that passes in the same way as on Earth and the 'number of days' attached to an indulgence refers to an equivalent number of days of canonical penance. Quite possibly the pre-reformation church did have an overly numerical approach to the salvation of its faithful, but the author made this particular point about indulgences such a major one he might have explained properly what they are.

Anyway, I learnt a fair bit about another patch of history (16th and 17th Century continental Europe - somehow school history in the UK does English history of this period relatively thoroughly, but forgets to mention the rest of the continent) for which I am certainly grateful.

I think it is easy in a secular world to feel smug about the period of 'wars of religion', and this book did nothing to counter that urge and thereby misses some valuable historical lessons (I don't really see 'kids, don't do religion' as one such lesson). The image of the implacable and austere RC church deaf to the complaints of its few reforming voices is particularly lazy.

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mamy kolejną rocznicę pamiątki reformacji, dlatego postanowiłem sięgnąć po niniejszą pozycję. Bardzo zaintrygowało mnie podejście do tematu przedstawione w niniejszej pozycji. Oczywiście autor przybliża nam wydarzenia bezpośrednio związane z początkiem reformacji, jej przyczyny, postać Marcina Lutra i tak dalej. Oprócz Marcina Lutra przybliżone nam są inne postacie związane z reformacją, na przykład Zwingli, Kalwin.
Reformacja nie tylko dotyczyła spraw kościelnych i spraw wiary. Miała wpływ na życie społeczne, kulturalne. Z reformacją były związane również wielkie niepokoje społeczne oraz rewolucja chłopów, pierwsza znacząca próba w Europie mająca na celu reformy społeczne. Co jednak ciekawe, reformatorzy nie byli na tyle progresywni aby oprócz religii zreformować również feudalne struktury społeczne. Mimo to reformacja pozostaje ważnym wydarzeniem w dziejach Europy i świata.

[Alžběta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful! A good, straightforward review of the Reformation full of long-forgotten details. Jonathan Keeble's narration is beautiful. This man could read anything, and I would probably enjoy it immensely.

[Matt Daq · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good overview of the reformation so perfect for people who know nothing about it. It covers the main players Luther, Calvin, Knox, Zwingli indulgences, purgatory, toleration, Eucharist etc.
Well worth the read.

[Fiona Warburton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting basic account of the Reformation, it's short, so there isn't much depth but a good introduction to the topic.

[Wesley and Fernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the Reformation, but of course, it flattened out some of the motivations and theological convictions of various groups; even still, a helpful primer.

[Puck Zara Smink · Rating 4 out of 5]

beetje jammer van die 95 stellingen…

[Theo Milos · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reformation happened because there were many who criticized the Catholic Church, for instance, because of the corruption. In the beginning, was there great chaos and countless people died as an effect. It ended with the 30-year war in the 1650s (1618-1648).

A few influences were Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin. People created a sub-religion for each and every one of them, with different thoughts and opinions. One meant that the trinity of God was non-existent with no evidence of it in the Bible, but instead one thing. These thoughts challenged the Catholic Church, creating big controversies.

The upper, middle, and lower classes in one city could all have different religions. The lower class was usually rather a part of a sect. These religions could differ from city to city and country to country.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned some new things today!

[Kurt Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of good info (and a great topic!) but the layout and presentation is exceptionally dry. Good thing its a quick read.

[Dan JK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite interesting to learn the history of the branching of religions.