It would seem unlikely that one could discover tolerant religious attitudes in Spain; Portugal; and the New World colonies during the era of the Inquisition; when enforcement of Catholic orthodoxy was widespread and brutal. Yet this groundbreaking book does exactly that. Drawing on an enormous body of historical evidence―including records of the Inquisition itself―the historian Stuart Schwartz investigates the idea of religious tolerance and its evolution in the Hispanic world from 1500 to 1820. Focusing on the attitudes and beliefs of common people rather than those of intellectual elites; the author finds that no small segment of the population believed in freedom of conscience and rejected the exclusive validity of the Church. The book explores various sources of tolerant attitudes; the challenges that the New World presented to religious orthodoxy; the complex relations between “popular†and “learned†culture; and many related topics. The volume concludes with a discussion of the relativist ideas that were taking hold elsewhere in Europe during this era.
#1349204 in Books Yale University Press 2016-11-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.37 x 6.12l; .0 #File Name: 0300136986512 pagesYale University Press
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent rendition of a grim story.By TruthSeekerThis is a grim read; but necessary if one is to understand the Soviet Union. The Bolshevik's and Stalin led the Russian people on the path of self destruction and genocide long before the word was coined. The guilty are named with facts: names; places; dates of their crimes. How they/he did so is masterfully explained in 437 clearly written pages with 54 pages of endnotes. My only criticism is the paltry six page index.I recommend this book for anyone remotely interested in Russian or Soviet history; the casual reader of history. You will not be disappointed.2 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Professor Baberowski's work is without any significant intellectual value; ...By Morris HerzogProfessor Baberowski's work is without any significant intellectual value; and its publication is largely an expression of the ideological agenda of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. In Germany; Baberowski is well-known as the foremost advocate of the ultra-right historian Ernest Nolte; who was until his recent death the foremost academic apologist for Adolf Hitler. In an interview published in the English On-Line edition of Der Spiegel; Baberowski stated: "Nolte was done an injustice;" says Baberowski. "Historically speaking; he was right." As for his own view on Hitler; Baberowski stated:""Hitler was no psychopath; and he wasn't vicious. He didn't want people to talk about the extermination of the Jews at his table." Those who doubt the accuracy of these quotations can check them at: [...]Baberowsk's views on the Third Reich; along with his advocacy of anti-immigrant positions; has gained the attention and approval of the fascistic right on the United States. He was the subject of an admiring article in the US Nazi website; The Stormer [...] Given this record; it is disturbing that Baberowski's book bears the imprimatur of a major US university;
