Catholicism

Reviews

"Through vivid portraits and nuanced analysis of Catholic traditionalists and reformers, McGreevy shows how persistent divisions within Catholicism have shaped as well as mirrored central conflicts in modern world history. Catholicism reveals why the Catholic church generates intense hatred and fierce loyalty, enraging conservatives by changing so much while frustrating progressives by changing so little. A landmark book." — James Kloppenberg, author of Toward Democracy

"In an epic about moral globalization since the French Revolution, John T. McGreevy narrates a quest for understanding and conversion, a tale of diasporas and missions. This is truly a majestic book." — Jeremy Adelman, coauthor of Worlds Together, Worlds Apart

"For those of us pained by how political divisions manipulate and distort Catholicism today, John T. McGreevy offers essential perspective and the mixed consolation that this is nothing new. His book unfolds an epic drama as power contends with democracy, authority with diversity, world with spirit." — Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking

"If you want to understand the world, don’t ignore the history of its most global institution. John T. McGreevy exposes the paradoxes of the Church: an institution surprisingly adaptable to different cultures, riven by faction, yet called to common action. With admirable candor, impartiality, elegance, and economy, he tells a story of failings and faith." — Felipe Fernández-Armesto, author of Out of Our Minds

"[A] wonderful new study… One of the book's many strengths is the confidence to range across the world from Latin America to sub-Saharan Africa. Intellectually this would be a challenge for any historian, though McGreevy effortlessly guides us with a steady hand through this complex history over the last two centuries and more." — Enda Delaney, The Irish Times

"In this appealing, easily readable and amply noted volume, McGreevy identifies phases in the development of Catholicism over the past two-and-a-half centuries with the overriding interests, themes or controversies for each period in his view… a truly engaging and substantially reliable narrative on how Catholicism has arrived at its current phase as a global Church." — John Borelli, The Tablet

"Catholicism: A Global History does justice to the vast scope and influence of this multicultural and multilingual creed… it covers vast ground with disciplined concision." — Daniel Rey, History Today

"Beautifully written… a sweeping study that casts into relief, on a global stage, the paradoxes and contradictions of Roman Catholicism… This book reads beautifully, and even the seasoned expert in Catholicism will learn a great deal." — Piotr H. Kosicki, The Times Literary Supplement