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

Our knowledge of the Catholic faith is immeasurably broadened and deepened by studying twenty centuries of Catholic experience. This book surveys the Church's past from Abelard to Zwingli, introducing the reader to hundreds of fascinating people, places, events, ideas, institutions, and movements that have made their mark on our spiritual heritage and shaped the Church as we know it today. A …

Martha Rasmussen This book is a popular overview and study guide to the history of the Catholic Church. Written for non-scholarly readers with little historical background, it includes descriptions of society in different historical eras in order to make the history of the Church more understandable. The book avoids unnecessary names, dates, and scholarly disputes, but it explains important …

The first comprehensive history of the century that produced the greatest number of Catholic martyrs ever: it is estimated that more than one million people died for their faith in "the century of progress." From Edith Stein to Oscar Romero, from the Calvary of Romania to the Chinese carnage-the stories told in this book (organized by geographic area) paint a challenging picture of what it …

Catholicism Christ and the Common Destiny of Man by Henri Cardinal de Lubac, S.J. This book first appeared just over fifty years ago. It is the pilgrimatic work of one of the 20th century's greatest theologians. Deeply rooted in tradition, it breaks ground and sows seeds which will bear their fruit in the Second Vatican Council's central documents on the Church. Here, de Lubac gathers from …

Stefan Heid Heid presents a penetrating and wide-ranging study of the historical data from the early Church on the topics of celibacy and clerical continence. He gives a brief review of recent literature, and then begins his study with the New Testament and follows it all the way to Justinian and the Council in Trullo in 690 it the East and the fifth century popes in the West. He thoroughly …

As with the Crusades and the Galileo case, any mention of the Inquisition sets off a series of preconceived judgements against the Catholic Church in the minds of those who hear about it today. Yet few today can give a really accurate description of what the Inquisition really was - why it came about, its aims, its methods, the number of persons involved in it, the true record of its history, …

Characters of the Reformation may well be the most universally fascinating book ever written by the great Cathoic historian, Hilaire Belloc.  Here in bold, living colors he sketches 23 famous men and women of the Reformation period, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, mistakes and motives and pinpointing deeds that changed the course of history. There are more than a few surprises …

Scott McDermott "A Roman Catholic but an Ardent Patriot." (from a letter by John Adams, writing on Charles Carroll) Charles Carroll did everything he could for the Revolutionary cause except to pick up a rifle and head into battle.  He didn't need to, because he had already succeeded in leading into the Patriots' cause virtually all the Catholic population of Maryland - along with many …

"What if nothing wonderful happens on the 13th?  Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you then?" asked the parish priest, as he looked closely at 10-year-old Lucia. "Oh no, Father!" replied Lucia.  "I know something wonderful is going to happen on the 13th.  The Lady told us so."  Nine-year-old Francisco and 7-year-old Jacinta were equally …

Christ and the Americas  is the long-awaited high school American history text by the author of Christ the King-Lord of History. It fills a great void because it gives proper attention to and appreciation for the role of the Catholic Church in American history. Beginning before Columbus and concluding with the 1990's, this book covers the vast panoply of American history in a fast-paced …

At last, a workbook for students to use along with Anne Carroll's Christ and the Americas! The workbook helps the student in mentally processing a large amount of information and grasping the major historical concepts as well as names, places, dates and events. Then, with the answers filled in, the questions become a great study guide and memory aid. This workbook includes the Catholic …

Christ in Dachau Rev. John M. Lenz Forgotten Priests in a Nazi Hellhole Dachau concentration camp held the largest number of Catholic priests—more than 2400—in the Nazi camp system. They came from two dozen countries, from every background—parish priests and prelates, monks and friars, teachers and missionaries. Over one-third were killed. Among the survivors was Fr. Johannes Lenz, who was …

This is the Official Commemorative book on Pope Benedict’s 2008 apostolic visit to the USA April 15 – 20.  This lavishly illustrated, large-size edition, has dozens of fabulous photos of all the papal visit venues during his historic visit, with inspiring, informative commentary on the various papal events, and also includes the texts all the Pope’s addresses, homilies, …

Here is a fast-paced, enjoyable, highly readable and fascinatingly interesting Catholic world history that is in great demand for high-school students-and makes excellent, informative reading for adults too! It covers largely Western world history since the coming of Christ-and all from a Catholic viewpoint. The book just flows and flows, recounting episode after interesting episode of our …

Jordan Aumann, O.P. The well-known author gives a complete overview and history of Catholic spirituality from the Apostles to the present day.

From the Introduction Christianity inhabits a strange space in American life. It is by far the predominant religion in the most religious country in the industrialized world, with more than 90 percent of its citizens professing belief in God and a large majority claiming allegiance to a Christian denomination or sect. Yet Christians are regularly targeted for ridicule and vilification by a …

This book, which includes a new preface by the author, offers an engrossing portrayal of the early years of the Christian movement from the perspective of the Romans.

The Chronicle of John, Bishop of Nikiu is an important source for the history of the turbulent 6th and 7th centuries. Focusing on Egypt where he was a Monophysite bishop, John is one of the few contemporary historians who describes the conquest of this formerly Roman province by the Muslims.      Though his Chronicle follows closely that of John Malalas and the anonymous …

Love it or hate it, the Catholic Church has been for 2,000 years at the very center of Europe and Western civilization in all its important aspects: theological, political, social, moral, economic, etc. It has been attacked on many different grounds, often violently, yet it still remains standing. Occasionally weakend, and then subject to an energetic renaissance, the Church can look back upon …