The Reformation

Great Ages of Man

by Edith Simon, Time-Life Books

During the 16th century a movement started that culminated in the founding of Protestantism. The story of ecclesiastical reform as it developed into contending factions, and as it interacted with the political, social, economic and philosophical currents of the age, is unfolded in this book. Illustrations (some color), facsimiles, color maps, portraits (some color).
Troubled time
Reformer
Leaders of the protest
Europe aroused
"Counter reformation"
Revolution in letters
Lean days for art
Power of Protestantism

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Historical

191 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Jonathan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good general history the reformation, counter-reformation and how it fits into the Renaissance and how everything ended up leading to the rise of modern europe. Makes me want to read more about the Thirty Years War.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The late German-born writer and artist Edith Simon’s 1966 edition of the book entitled The Reformation, is a history of Europe in the era of the Reformation. The book is for the series of Time-Life Books’ Great Ages of Man. The book covers the Reformation in Europe from the birth of Martin Luther in 1483 until the Peace of Westphalia ended in the Thirty Years War in 1648 (184-185). The book also covers the Literature, Art, and Science of the Reformation era from the career of the artist Albrecht Durer until the career of the poet John Milton (184-185). Simon’s family moved to Great Britain when she was a teenager. Simon lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for most of her career as a writer. Simon was known for her biographies of Martin Luther and Frederick the Great. Her book, though quite old, is a well-done introduction to the era of The Reformation. The book contains profiles of Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox in Chapter 3 entitled “Leaders of the Protest” (pages 55-64). I found these biographical sketches of important early Protestant leaders useful in writing a paper that involved early Protestant history. The book also covers important figures of the counter-Reformation religious figures such as Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Roman Catholic order of the Jesuits (pages 104-105). The Reformation is readable. The book has a beautiful layout. A photo essay follows each chapter. A timeline is at the end of the book. The book has around 181 pages not including the timeline. Even though it was dated I did not regret spending time reading the book, The Reformation.

Work Cited:
Staff writers of The Herald. 2003. “Edith Simon: Original artist with unflagging creative energy.” The Herald, February 23, Edith Simon Original artist with unflagging creative energy | HeraldScotland

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of all the Time-Life series given me by my paternal grandmother, "The Great Ages of Man" was my favorite. This may have been because I had the most use of it in junior and high school. This and the beauty of their bindings have caused me to hold on to the set, all others having been given away the successive generations of adolescents.

Not being certain that I actually read every volume, I believe I've done a review of the series, but not of every volume--not until I find evidence to that effect. In this case I find that I employed The Reformation for Jim Gottreich's sophomore World History course at Maine Township High School South.

[James Violand · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good over-view of the Reformation, its foundations and schisms.

[Davy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I tell people that Lithuania (Poland) was the largest country in Europe in the Middle ages they look at me as if I were nuts. Look at the great map early in this book. The map is from roughly 1560.

This was because they absorbed vast stretches of Western Russia while the Mongols held the Princes of Muscovy at bay.

There is a lot of interesting interplay with the Teutonic Knights in this area. Example, the First Battle of Tannenburg [Grunwald] in 1410. There was a 2nd Battle of Tannenburg in WW1, in August 1914, where the Germans defeated the Czarist Russians.

[Ricardo Cifuentes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente libro sobre la reforma, aunque su base fue religiosa, explica muy bien también la revolución política, artística, arquitectónica, intelectual y más, excelente introducción a una época exactamente revolucionaria.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbiased point of view. Historical and informative.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the way this series is set up, with side bars and separate features throughout. This book is good because it looks at the movement objectively, unlike other books with definite anti religious bias, or anti-Catholic bias, at least. Good information with enough detail, but not overwhelming amounts.

[Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got a bunch of these Great Ages of Man Time Life Books from the library for a dollar each. Their really interesting, their old books so the graphics and the art inside is really amazing. This collection is great for those interested in history and other cultures.

[Mike Anderson]

Hot. Sweetest illustration of a Guttenberg press you'll ever witness. Reasons why they never got around to killing Luther are pretty cool too; always kinda wondered that.