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

St. Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings Translated and introduced by Mary T. Clark Augustine of Hippo (354-430), bishop, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church whose thought molded the Western theological tradition, is clearly one of the most influential figures in the history of the Church. At the heart of his brilliant philosophical and theological speculation is his spirituality-a …

Jump right into this hilarious new book on enjoying and celebrating Catholicism in a whole new way! Both a comical read, as well as an indispensable resource for observing the Feast Days of the Saints, The Bad Catholic’s Guide to Good Living is for anyone who is interested in celebrating the history and humor behind the Catholic Faith. Consisting of selected historical sketches of the …

A very funny and very entertaining read! "John and Denise, a long-time Catholic journalist and a trained Continental chef, have done it again. They've ransacked 20 centuries, 5 continents, and their own disturbed imaginations to uncover the fun in faith - and dozens of delicious recipes for dinner, cocktails, and party punch. It's educational - and intoxicating!"  - Angelo …

Claudia Devaux & George Bernard Wong, S.J. Bamboo Swaying in the Wind reveals the extraordinary life story of Chinese Jesuit George Bernard Wong, who was imprisoned in China for more than 25 years for his religious beliefs.  It is a story of romance, joy, political intrigue, cultural revolution, historic oppression, and living hope.  Readers come to know a man of profound faith …

Hillaire Belloc In this religious-biblical oriented history, Belloc provides a full and fair treatment of the ancient Jews and other Middle Eastern cultures and their impact in history, and in today’s world. He affirms a special divine design in the story of Syria and particularly of Israel, reaching a climax in the event of the Crucifixion of Christ. His famous motto, “Europe is …

The Church lives in the "in-between" times. This book is a sustained reflection on this fact, on the meaning of the Church's life in time. It is at once a theoogy of history and the reflections of a practicing historian on Church history. Each chapter takes up a period of Church history and examines one or more of its central developments in relation to the present. If the Church is in time, …

The Beginning of the English Reformation by Hugh Ross Williamson. If people neglect the study of the past, they cannot fully understand the present.This forceful and compact history shows how important political and economic forces were in the English Reformation. It is very informative and interesting reading and is excellent in helping the reader understand the crucial situation in the …

A survey of the principal themes of patristic writing, touching on the major Greek and Latin Fathers of the Church.  

Behind the Lodge Door  is at once an in-depth and probing analysis of Masonic activity in four principal areas of influence, especially as they relate to the United States, but it is also an overview of the Masonic fraternity in general thatwill enlighten and inform the reader and make a perusal of this book most worthwhile. Those four areas are1) the religious education issue in the …

The Roman Catholic Papacy is the longest-living institution in the Western World - and at times one of the most controversial due to the basic doctrines of: Papal Authority, Papal Infallibility and Apostolic Succession. Drawing upon Old and New Testament Scripture, Tradition, and the words of the Early Church Fathers, author and noted Catholic apologist John Salza presents a comprehensive and …

Blood-Drenched Altars - A Catholic Commentary On The History Of Mexico Most Rev. Francis C. Kelley This book is pivotal to understanding Mexico! Shows how Catholic Spain during 300 years - 1521-1821 - formed Mexico and made her prosperous and happy, but how the great Masonic Revolution (1821 - 1928) has made her poor and miserable. Shows that Mexico is still basically Catholic (97%) but is …

The Book of Pastoral Rule By St Gregory the Great Popular Patristics Series Introduction & translation by George E. Demacopoulos Recognized as the most thorough pastoral treatise of the patristic era, this sixth-century work by St Gregory the Great carefully details the duties and obligations of the clergy concerning the spiritual formation of their flock. "Pastoral Rule has served …

The Liber Pontificalis is an invaluable historical document, cataloging the names and dates of the first 65 Pontiffs of Rome beginning with St. Peter himself. Though of unknown authorship, its antiquity is well established. Modern scholarship has determined that the Liber was probably first compiled in the 6th century AD and continued piecemeal thereafter. This English edition, originally …

Hilda van Stockum When Janna is suddenly summoned from Germany to join her actor parents in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, she is shocked by the Dutch hatred for the Germans. Her favorite Nordic tales and Hitler Youth indoctrination have not prepared her for the complexities of living in a house requisitioned by a military friend of her parents; or for the violence she sees on the streets. With her …

This second volume tells the story of the great heresies that seemed to carry all before them, yet always failed to gain their final goal of capturing the Papacy; of St. Patrick's mission to Ireland; of how the Popes became judges of kings and the First Crusade swept on to victory against all odds; of how the Church bridged the abyss of the Dark Ages and laid the foundations of a new Christian …

  Building the Free Society Edited by George Weigel and Robert Royal Through the insightful and thought-provoking commentaries of ten distinguished Catholic writers, Building the Free Society critically examines a century of Catholic reflection and argument on human freedom, the just society, and the international order. Adopting the best from A Century of Catholic Social Thought , …

The Byzantine Rite A Short History Robert Taft, S.J. Much has been written regarding the western liturgy; the same cannot be said of the Byzantine liturgy. Father Taft contributes to a remedy of that shortfall through this work. In it he traces the origins of the Byzantine Rite during its period of formation: from its earliest recorded beginnings until the end of Byzantium (1453 c.e.). While …

John Henry Cardinal Newman This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other …

John Henry Cardinal Newman This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other …

This is the authoritative catechism produced by the Council of Trent and published by order of St. Pius V. which was originally commissioned during the Reformation period, in order to explain the Faith clearly and calmly in the face of Protestant objections. It still serves as an excellent compendium of the Church’s traditional life and belief.