The Catholics
The Church and its People in Britain and Ireland, from the Reformation to the Present Day
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Vintage Publishing
Published:1st Mar '18
Should be back in stock very soon
This book explores the history of Catholicism in Britain from the Reformation to today, detailing the struggles and resilience of Catholics against persecution, discrimination, and changing societal norms.
The Catholics presents a comprehensive narrative of the history of Catholicism in Britain, spanning from the Reformation to contemporary times. Written by a renowned historian, the book delves into the tumultuous journey of English Catholics following the Act of Supremacy, which established Henry VIII as the head of the Church and severed ties with Rome. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of centuries of persecution, where Catholics faced legal penalties and societal discrimination for practicing their faith openly.
The narrative is enriched with previously unpublished information, focusing on the personal stories of individuals who navigated the challenges of being Catholic in a predominantly Anglican society. Through the lives of martyrs, priests, laypeople, converts, and recusants, the book sheds light on the struggles and sacrifices made by those who remained steadfast in their beliefs. It also explores the political and legal landscape that shaped their experiences, highlighting the evolving tensions between Catholics and their Protestant counterparts.
Ultimately, The Catholics illustrates that the endurance of Catholicism in Britain is not merely a testament to faith but also to an unwavering moral conviction. The book emphasizes that this resilience, characterized by a refusal to compromise, commands respect even from those who may not share the same beliefs. Through its engaging storytelling, the book invites readers to understand the profound impact of Catholicism on British history and the lives of its practitioners.
[Roy Hattersley] is very good: Catholics is a great read and spectacularly well-researched…. British Politics, especially the shipwrecked Labour Party, could do with a generation of Hattersleys – tough, committed, smart and cultivated. -- Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *
[An] elegantly written, sweeping account of Catholics in these islands from the Reformation to the present day. It’s a tale of high drama and high stakes, by turns horrifying, romantic and ultimately hopeful. -- Peter Stanford * Observer *
big-hearted, fair-minded, insightful...a joy to read -- Frank Cottrell-Boyce * New Statesman *
Enjoyable… Perfectly solid, sensible and often astute. -- Dominic Sandbrook * Sunday Times *
Hattersley narrates… with his characteristic energy… His talent for invective remains strong. -- Gerard Degroot * Times *
Hattersley offers a scholarly chronicle of heroism and holiness in post-Reformation Britain, when the age of Catholic saints and miracles was seen to survive against the odds. -- Ian Thomson * Financial Times *
Thoroughly entertaining… I heartily recommend this volume, which is written with great brio, intelligence and charm; and with a wistful distance from his subjects’ faith which I found very appealing. -- A.N. Wilson * Catholic Herald *
Hattersley… excels in describing political machinations… One must admire his courage, not to say his chutzpah, in undertaking a book of such enormous scope. -- Michael Walsh * Tablet *
Thoughtful and thought provoking, minutely researched and well-written * Choice *
The author writes with authority... He engages with his material and shares his enthusiasm with the reader. But equally he is detached: he has no interest in covering up scandals or selling a party line. The engaged outsider becomes a compelling biographer, at once intrigued and underwhelmed by his subject-matter -- Lavinia Byrne * Church Times *
ISBN: 9780099587545
Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 40mm
Weight: 571g
656 pages