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

Hugh Ross Williamson This book has 300 compact pages explaining what happened almost 400 years ago in England when barrels of gunpowder were found under the House of Lords. A plot was undoubtedly discovered, but what kind of plot. Was it a conspiracy of Catholics against the Government or the Government against Catholics? This is a fascinating story of intrigue and suspense—involving heroic …

Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J. He Leadeth Me is the deeply moving personal story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith which enabled him to survive the horrendous ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse. Captured by the Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a "Vatican spy," American Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent some 23 agonizing …

What are miracles? Why do miracles happen? Do miracles still happen? The subject of miraculous activity is one that has compelled believers for millennia. This book describes and recounts some of the most fascinating stories that have taken place not on the dusty pages of some centuries-old manuscript, but here and now in our own modern world. Fr. Paul Glynn, a Marist priest, takes the reader …

A Heart For Europe - The Lives of Emperor Charles And Empress Zita Of Austria-Hungary James and Joana Bogle Emperor Charles was the last Hapsburg ruler of the Austrio-Hungarian Empire, now declared "Blessed" by Pope John Paul II in 2004. The Pope was himself formerly bishop in the once Habsburg-ruled city of Cracow and his baptismal name "Karol" (meaning Charles) was given in memory of the …

From the Loyola Classics series . . . "New editions of acclaimed Catholic novels." Review by Fran Rutherford, of the Aquinas and More staff: "Helena shattered all of my preconceived notions about St. Constantine and St. Helen. The road to sainthood is often very rocky, and that was illustrated in this novel by Evelyn Waugh. Those were the days of early Christianity, and somehow …

Henri Daniel-Rops In every age and every country, valiant men and women have rejected the empty pursuit of worldly comforts and devoted their lives to bringing the transforming truth of Jesus Christ to people who do not know Him. Here are the courageous deeds of eleven of these holy heroes, told with exhilarating vigor and immediacy by the master Catholic historian Henri Daniel-Rops. From …

Herodotus Written during a period of increasing conflict between Sparta and Athens, these compelling descriptions of great battles, rulers, and political upheavals attempt to recapture the glorious past of a unified Greece.

Herodotus "The father of history", as Cicero called him, and a writer possessed of remarkable narrative gifts, enormous scope, and considerable charm, Herodotus has always been beloved by readers well-versed in the classics. Compelled by his desire to "prevent the traces of human events from being erased by time", Herotodus recounts the incidents preceding and following the …

Origen (185-ca. 254), one of the most prolific and influential of the early Church Fathers, is best known to us for his Scripture exegesis. Henri de Lubac’s History and Spirit is a landmark study of Origen’s understanding of Scripture and his exegetical methods. In exploring Origen’s efforts to interpret the four different senses of Scripture, de Lubac leads the reader …

The History and the Future of the Roman Liturgy Denis Crouan, S.T.D. Since the Second Vatican Council, the liturgy has become the source of conflicting opinions. This situation has given rise to disputes that continue to divide those who practice their faith. But what has created this state of affairs? Author Denis Crouan shows how the decisions made by Vatican II that aimed at restoring the …

A HISTORY OF APOLOGETICS Avery Cardinal Dulles Cardinal Avery Dulles provides a overview of Christian apologetics, from its beginning in the New Testament through the Middle Ages and on to the present. Dulles shows how Christian apologists have at times both criticized and drawn from their intellectual surroundings to present the reasonableness of Christian belief. No student of apologetics …

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CRADLE OF CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION? More important: what do you suppose your children or grandchildren know? Christian civilization sprouted out of Europe, feeding off earlier cultures farther to the East. It was brought to our shores – Columbus, the great Jesuit martyrs, and early American churchmen played key roles. But somewhere along the line, amid the cares …

About this book- Known as Lord Acton, John E.E. Dalberg Acton was one of the great historians of the Victorian period and one of the greatest classical historians of all time. His life's work was advancing the history of liberty though he was never able to complete his magnum opus. THE HISTORY OF FREEDOM AND OTHER ESSAYS consists of articles reprinted from various journals of his time. …

The History of Heresies and Their Refutation by St Alphonsus M. Liguori. Some references in Latin, the rest of the book is in English. In the First part, St Alphonsus M Liguori goes over the History of Heresies. In the Refutation of Heresies, the Holy Author comprises, in a small space, a vast amount of Theological information; in fact, there is no Heresy which cannot be refuted from it. Not …

Limited availability.  Please call if you need this item right away.  Xenophon In 404 B.C., to the sound of flutes, the Spartans had the famous Long Walls of Athens demolished. The work signaled the complete victory of the city if Lycurgus and the subordination of all Greece to the Spartan interest. Yet within four decades the pride of Sparta had been humbled, their glory was …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Ireland's Loyalty to the Mass by Father Augustine, O.F.M. Cap. “It is the Mass that Matters”. The persecution of Ireland for hundreds of years, reduced to the most important factor, was the prohibition of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by the Protestant rulers in England. The history of this brutal and monstrous suppression is carefully chronicled in this little book. “The …

The war in Ireland has spanned eight centuries, alternately blowing hot and cold, appearing at times to fade away, only to flare up more forcefully later on. According to the "experts" and the media pundits, the conflict is one of religion. But Chesterton reveals in Irish Impressions that at heart the problem is one of freedom. The Irish man wants to be master in his own home, speaking his own …

Dr. Paul Lavin and Robert Lavin Without knowing anything about the man whose life is recounted on these pages, The Iron Man of China may seem a curious title. Except for a year furlough home in the states, Father Lavin served the Chinese people for twenty years (1932-1953), traversing thousands of miles by foot or bicycle, and exposing himself every day to life threatening dangers. In 1953 the …

William H. Carroll Queen Isabel of Spaint was probably the greatest woman ruler in history - not only an outstanding Queen, but a devoted wife and mother as well. She and her husband Fernando were solemnly granted the title "the Catholic sovereigns" by the Pope. The many evidences of her personal holiness led to the introduction and substantial progress of her cause for canonization. Isabel's …

William H. Carroll Almost every historian who has written of Isabel has recognized her extraordinary goodness and devotion to her Catholic faith, along with her greatness as a leader. This is the first full scholarly biography of Queen Isabel in English in more than sixty years—extensively annotated, strictly accurate, and highly readable.

Queen Isabella of Spain, known by her people as "la Catolica," was by any standard one of the greatest women in all of history. Ascending the throne of Castile at age 23-a young woman tall, ath­letic, blond-haired and blue-eyed­ Isabella was possessed of an in­domitable will and refused to recog­nize the word "impossible;' for she was convinced that with God …

Edited by Thomas Knobel This is the first complete English translation of De Ecclesiasticis Officiis (DEO) of St. Isidore of Seville (d. 636), considered the last Latin Father of the Church. The work is an invaluable source of information about liturgical practice and church offices.  

How Christendom defeated the Ottoman Turks Historian Diane Moczar pulls back the curtain on one of the most important acts in the drama of Muslim aggression against the West: the 500-year-long siege of Europe by the Ottoman Turks. Tracing the rise of the Turkish people from wandering Asian tribe to mighty pan-continental empire, Islam at the Gates chronicles the heroes and villains, the …

Jesus A Historical Portrait   Daniel J. Harrington, S.J. Was Jesus a feminist? Who really killed Jesus? Did all those miracles actually happen? How do we know who Jesus is? How are we supposed to know what Jesus really said? How does Jesus' Judaism fit in with our salvation as Christians? Questions about the life and times of Jesus Christ, one of the most written-about people of all time, …

"This book is . . . my personal search for 'the face of the Lord." - Pope Benedict XVI.     This is Pope Benedict XVI's first book since his pontificate began. Who is Jesus? According to the wildly popular book and film, The Da Vinci Code, Jesus was merely a human figure whose original message was distorted by his followers. Not so, argues Pope Benedict XVI in this …

Based on Pope Benedict XVI's weekly teaching on the relationship between Christ and the Church, this book tells the drama of Jesus' first disciples — his Apostles and their associates — and how they spread Jesus' message throughout the ancient world. Far from distorting the truth about Jesus of Nazareth, insists Pope Benedict, the early disciples remained faithful to it, even at the cost of …

Very few people know that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important but also his best work. He spent twelve years in research and many months in France doing archival work and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell. He reached his conclusion about Joan's unique …

F. A. Forbes "Poor Don Bosco." It was a pity that such a good young priest was losing his mind. Why he was dreaming about future churches, vast playgrounds, lots of helpers and thousands of boys! Before things got out of hand, why not have him checked out at the lunatic asylum. Therefore, one morning two priests arrived at the Oratory to invite Fr. John Bosco for a drive. He agreed to go, but …

This book provides a collection of never before published letters from John Carroll, the first Archbishop in America. It also contains a genology, chronology and pictures of Bishop Carroll throughout his life.

Drawing on his early experience as a monk in Bethlehem and Egypt, St. John Cassian (c. 365-c. 435) journeyed to the West to found monasteries in Marseilles and the region of Provence. Conferences is his masterpiece, a study of the Egyptian ideal of the monk.  

John Climacus (c. 579-649) was abbot of the monastery of Catherine on Mount Sinai. His Ladder was the most widely used handbook of the ascetical life in the ancient Greek Church. 

John Paul II: A Life of Grace by Renzo Allegri The facts of Pope John Paul II's life are well known, but the mystery of his unique journey has not always been as clear. The pope himself once said: "In God's plan, nothing happens by chance," and his life bears that out. His narrow escapes from death, starting in boyhood, seem miraculous. The premature deaths of his mother, father and beloved …

John Paul II in the Holy Land: In His Own Words With Christian and Jewish Perspectives by Yehezkel Landau and Michael McGarry edited by Lawrence Boadt, C.S.P.,  and Kevin di Camillo Pope John Paul II was the undisputed leader in fostering Jewish-Christian dialogue for over 25 years. He labored intensely to change the hearts and minds of both sides and was never been afraid to apologize …

John Paul The Great Edited by William Oddie John Paul the Great is a collection of essays by distinguished Catholic writers, each assessing, 25 years after he became Pope, some aspect of Karol Wojtyla's extraordinary achievement. The book establishes clearly that this has been not merely an exceptional pontificate, but one of a handful of epoch-making pontificates in Christian history. …

Peggy Noonan The author brings her sharp observations, acute sensibility, warmth, and wit to the life of the pope and shows the personal effect his journey had upon her and millions of others. Written with heart and depth, this is at once a moving elegy and a brilliant celebration of a man whose life taught others how to live.