History is a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes or a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events. In this category you will find our history books - general surveys of history and books related to specific periods of history in the Church such as the Patristic Era or the Middle Ages.

"History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity." Cicero

Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit of immense erudition who once tangled with A.J. Ayer in a fabled debate …

Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit of immense erudition who once tangled with A.J. Ayer in a fabled debate …

Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit of immense erudition who once tangled with A.J. Ayer in a fabled debate …

Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit of immense erudition who once tangled with A.J. Ayer in a fabled debate …

The only surviving account of the Church during its crucial first 300 years. "Could I do better than start from the beginning of the dispensation of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus the Christ of God?" Bishop Eusebius (c. AD 260–339), a learned scholar who lived most of his life in Caesarea in Palestine, broke new ground in writing the History and provided a model for all later …

Thucydides This book recounts the great war between Athens and Sparta.

Thucydides Written 400 years before the birth of Christ, this detailed contemporary account of the struggle between Athens and Sparta stands an excellent chance of fulfilling the author's ambitious claim that the work "was done to last forever."  

WRITTEN between 1824and 1827 by an English Protestant, A History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland has been reprinted many times by Catholic publishers because it gives the true and usually untold story of the Protestant Revolt in England during the 16th century, revealing its disastrous consequences in the lives of the people. William Cobbett, the author of this book, is …

Description The geographic heart and soul of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, the Holy Land has immense significance for the millions of visitors it has attracted since as early as the fifth century BC. Now in an exciting new edition, this popular handbook once again offers tourists an indispensable, illustrated guide to over 200 of the most important archeological and religious sites in the …

Josef Pieper The famous and popular Thomistic philosopher addresses the topic of hope from the perspective of human history and asks the questions: ``Is man's hope such that it can find any fulfillment in the field of human history?" And: ``Is man's human history such that it can give us any grounds not to despair?" Pieper looks at the movement of history, the idea of progress, man's hope for …

How The Catholic Church Built Western Civilization Thomas E. Woods, Jr., Ph.D. Ask a college student today what he knows about the Catholic Church and his answer might come down to one word: “corruption.” But that one word should be “civilization.” Western civilization has given us the miracles of modern science, the wealth of free-market economics, the security of the …

In this famous and surprising book, the great Catholic historian Hilaire Belloc gives the true and largely untold story which answers one of the most important historical questions in our civilization:  "How did Christendom suffer shipwreck?"  Showing that this momentous question is invisible to Protestant and secular historians, Belloc goes on to demonstrate that the Protestant …

St Ephrem the Syrian's cycle of 15 Hymns on Paradise offers a fine example of Christian poetry, in which the author weaves a profound theological synthesis around a particular Biblical narrative. Centered on Genesis 2 and 3, he expresses his awareness of the sacramental character of the created world, and of the potential of everything in the created world to act as a witness and pointer to …

F. A. Forbes "Bring me a book, a story, a novel - anything to pass away the time!" cried the patient.  Young Ignatius had bravely borne the primitive surgery-the re-opening of his battle wound, the sawing off of part of his leg bone and the stretching of his leg in an iron machine. He had set his teeth and borne the pain without flinching. Now, however, the dreary weeks of recovery …

A bridge of understanding between the early Church and the Church of today. One cannot understand the early Church or Catholicism today without understanding St. Ignatius of Antioch. The man who succeeded St. Peter as bishop of Antioch and was the spiritual son of St. John the Apostle is the key to truly knowing the Christians of the first two centuries and what they believed. Ignatius' seven …

 He said..., "So, could you not watch with me one hour?" (Mt 26:40). For centuries, Catholics have answered Christ's plea by placing themselves before His presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Now, for the first time, the theological, historical, and psychological reasons for Eucharistic devotion are revealed. Unlike books that merely present the technical aspects of setting up Eucharistic …

In Tiers of Glory: The Organic Development of Catholic Church Architecture Through the Ages by Michael S. Rose A Return to the Beautiful! Great Gift Idea! "One who deserves credit for promoting the new renaissance in sacred architecture as well as the burgeoning Catholic-preservation movement is critic and author Michael S. Rose," wrote Duncan Stroik, the editor of Sacred Architecture, in …

The Incredible Catholic Mass is truly an incredible book about the most incredible reality in our midst--the Catholic Mass! No doubt fewer than ten percent of lay Catholics, before reading this book, would be aware of even ten percent of what it teaches. Written by a learned theologian, who was also a popular writer, The Incredible Catholic Mass is the fruit of a lifetime of study, plus, for …

Introduction to Christianity by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger In this remarkable elucidation of the Apostles' Creed, Cardinal Ratzinger, a highly regarded theologian, gives an excellent, modern interpretation of the foundations of Christianity. This profound treatment of Christianity's basic truths combines a spiritual outlook with a deep knowledge of Scripture and the history of theology. A solid …

This book is a complete critique of the crisis, covering the conduct and documents of Vatican II, the priesthood, catechetics, religious orders, feminism, ecumenism, faith, morality, Catholic culture, liturgy, and more from the time of John XXIII to 1985. Romano Amerio (†1997) was professor at the Academy of Lugano, consultant to the Preparatory Commission of Vatican II, and a peritus …