ebooks The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom (vol. 1) by Warren H. Carroll in History

Review

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. There Can Be Neither Hope Nor Promise For Man Unless There Be First The Willingness To Face The TruthBy johnWarren H. Carroll's "The Founding of Christendom" exceeds expectations both in content and execution. The author has marshaled an astonishing number of historical facts supported by nearly 2000 end notes; his story-telling skills are formidable; and the narrative sweep is breathtaking. The effort to wrap accurate history in an interesting; exciting; and lofty style is an enormous success.Carroll begins his survey by peering back to the edges of history; but unlike many authors of this genre he does not make suppositional leaps of the kind that G.K. Chesterton skewers in The Everlasting Man. Carroll approaches his subject with a Catholic point of view; in contrast to many authors of similar works that are neither aware of nor will admit to their own subjectivity. This approach is refreshingly honest; and that honesty results in a very objective treatment of Christian history since the author is self-censoring his admitted bias.The chapter names (copied below) will give you an inkling of how Carroll has built his narrative:PrologueA Darkling PlanFather in FaithFire on SinaiThe Promised LandThe Divided KingdomThe Holy CityThe Quest and the ChosenThe Two HopesThe March Across the WorldThe Fortitude of RomeRome Ascendant; the Temple RegainedRome and CaesarThe Winning of the Roman PeaceThe Incarnation of the LordGod in Galilee"I Am the Resurrection and the Life"He Chose Twelve - and PaulThe Seed in the EarthBlood of the MartyrsTriumph of the CrossThe book itself is well made for a paperback; but there are some criticisms to be made on its production values: chapter notes are employed and they are profuse; footnotes; to avoid constant flipping to the chapter end to access them; may have been a better choice. The number of typos are a bit on the high side. Also; this volume could have benefited immensely from the use of maps and other tools to aid the reader's understanding. Everything considered; this volume is highly recommended to any interested in the history of Christianity; but especially to Catholics looking for accurate and fair treatment of their inheritance.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The other History book.By K. S.Public school history books can only tell the students about events their author's consider important for the secular world to know. But for those who are Christain who want to know how Christains were involved in the world's history...this is the book! Carroll writes about world history; but includes what the secular world won't include; and that is the great importance of Christain leaders and what caused them to do what they did. Secular history books leave out important Christian values that were very important in our nation and world history. It's a great read.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Amazing! Best book on Christian history I have ever read.By Daniel QualkI have been studying Christian history about as long as I have been studying. This is by far the best book I have read. It is very readable and enjoyable. The information is great and the footnotes are excellent. If you enjoy Church history or even history for that matter I recommend this book. This is an especially good book if you would like to read a History of Christianity from an Orthodox Christian's perspective. If you are Catholic this book will be a great read. If you are Protestant do yourself a favor and read this book to get a well rounded view of history with respect to the way Catholics see things. For a non-Christian this book is a great way to get a sense of the way academic and Orthodox Christians see their own history.