From Library Journal
In 19 chapters by as many scholars, this latest volume in the "Oxford Illustrated History" series traces the development of Christianity from its turbulent beginning to the present ferment in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. The last four chapters assess the current state of Christianity and its direction as it faces the challenges of the 21st century. A major emphasis of all the writers is the interaction between church and society. They do not present an isolated view of Christianity's development but show how it has grown in relation and in reaction to changes in its world and how it has helped shape that world. The wealth of illustrations--averaging one every other page--and the readable (though by no means elementary) style should give this volume wide appeal. Highly recommended for public and academic collections.
- Craig W. Beard, Harding Univ. Lib., Searcy, Ark.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
`The contributors...write easily and lucidly, so that issues of great complexity and much scholarly contention are introduced and explained with such facility that the reader is often scarcely aware of the rocky terrain through which he has been guided.' Edward Norman, TLS`an enormous work...full of wise insights, balance of information, reliable scholarship and precision of writing...The illustrations are splendid. Edward Norman, TLS`this superb book...beautifully produced' Sunday Telegraph`Written by a team of scholars, this has to be the most comprehensive of recent histories.' Jenne Hatton, The Universe`richly illustrated book ... a uniquely authoritative history of Christianity for the general reader ... Authoritative, comprehensive, and highly readable, this book captures the richness and vitality of Christian art and thought in a wide variety of cultures and times.' Baptist Times`Well worth a read' The Irish Catholic`authoritative history' Publishing News`an undoubted bargain' Michael Walsh, The Tablet`issues of great complexity and much scholarly contention are introduced and explained with such facility that the reader is often scarcely aware of the rocky terrain through which he has been guided ... the illustrations of this book are splendid ... all are carefully related to the text with such skill that they are not illustrative additions but actually amplify the intellectual analysis.' Times Literary Supplement`the quality of the 350 illustrations and 32 colour plates, and the compelling nature of the captions quickly drew me into the text...imaginative in scholarship...a marvellous Christmas present' The Door - Oxford Diocesan Magazine`monumental and authoritative book' Michael Brown, Yorkshire Post`a brilliant overview of two thousand years ... The quality is high, production and paper, choice and reproduction of colour and black and white pictures and the writing.' Church of England Newspaper`a brilliant overview of two thousand years' John Pollock, Christian Week`the most authoritative general history of Christianity ... Most interesting, lucid and highly readable ... This comprehensive, strongly bound, finely produced volume contains a chronology and annotated guides to further reading.' Day by Day`a prestigious publication, from the foremost academic publishers in the land, with assembled articles by some of the most prominent theologians, clerics, historians and sociologists ... beautifully produced, carefully edited, and the illustrations are a pleasure in themselves' Edward Condry, Oxford Times`This is a book in every sense ... sumptuously produced' David L. Edwards, Church Times`a magnificent account of the religion from its origins to the present day ... the most authoritative portrayal of Christianity ever published' The Mail`I know no other book on this subject which is up-to-date, armed with a critical list of fascinating titles for further reading and so wide in coverage and penetration ... fine book.' Robin Lane Fox, Financial Times`I shall now, without hesitation, recommend this fine compilation which is not only well written and produced but has every imaginable kind of illustration from high art to modern photographs, chronological tables, maps and selective bibliography.' John Munsey Turner, Methodist Recorder'The intellectual rigour of the contributors to this superb book demonstrates the astonishing nature of the Christian achievement, showing how religion changes under constant pressure of events as people make an imaginative effort to find faith in the ultimate value of life, sometimes with tragic results. The book is also beautifully produced, the pictures making their own distinctive contribution to the story.' Karen Armstrong, Sunday Telegraph'Illustrations are used sensitively to clarify the text and inform the reader. The book is aimed at the intelligent general reader; in coffee table format, it is an ideal gift for an art-loving Christian.' BMargaret Hollis, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Theological Book Review, Vol.3, No.2, January 1991'This is a magnificently produced book. The text is entrusted to 19 writers who are all expert in their field. Their chapters are of uniformly high standard and a delight to read. Anyone with a genuine interest in the past, present and future of Christianity and with an open and enquiring mind will find this a wonderful book. Above all, it is an illustrated history of Christianity. Rarely has an adjective been more aptly applied or so admirably fulfilled.' Morris West, Baptist Times'the colour pictures splendid' History Today'McManners's team has served him well: none of the chapters is less than competent, most are highly readable, and several I would rate as excellent.' Hugh McLeod, University of Birmingham, International History Review, Vol. XIII, No. 3, Aug '91'a comprehensive general history of Christianity ... It is finely produced, fully, even lavishly, illustrated' English Churchman'an invaluable book to add to the school library ... This is a book which will intrigue, fascinate and inform staff and pupils in the senior years of secondary schools.' Arthur Rowe, ACT Digest, Vol 18 No. 1, Autumn 1991'The price brings this splendid volume within reach of small libraries and individuals under the constraint of limited (and diminishing) budgets. It is a lavish collection of essays by over twenty distinguished scholars ... An intelligent and always literate text is illuminated marvellously with a wealth of photographs and illustrations from the religious masterpieces of Christianity. This is far more than a "coffee-table" book, but the casual browser will be well rewarded by the copiousness and the brilliance of the illustrations. The result is a most impressive work, one that should be in every church library and in the study of any informed member of the laity.' J.C. Storey, Trent University, Journal of the Canadian Church Historical Society'This is a magnificent volume, written by an impressive team of experts, profusely illustrated, exhaustive in its coverage, and frequently acute in its judgments ... for anyone who possesses the interest - and the time - to deepen a superficial knowledge of the subject in a thoroughly enjoyable way, this is their book.' Harold Rowdon, Churchman
Book Description
Two thousand years of Christian history
About the Author
About the Editor:
John McManners is Emeritus Professor of Ecclesiastic History and Fellow and Chaplain of All Souls College, Oxford. An established authority in his field, he has written many popularly acclaimed books, including Death and the Enlightenment, which won Britain's Wolfson Literary Award for History and was chosen by The Times as one of the ten best non-fiction books of the year.
