God's Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World Audiobook

" Interesting read that covers the broad history of the many different inquisitions and how they helped shaped the modern Western world. While it does provide some details, I felt that it was skimming over many topics. The author repeats many of the same points throughout the book, but using the same basic evidence to his points. It left me thinking the book could have been half the size. "

" Another proof that "the past isn't dead... It isn't even past." "

" Excellent summary of "the Inquisition" and their unfortunate parallels in modern societies included the US after 2001. Cullen is an outstanding writer and makes a difficult subject very readable. "

" Clearly I am not the target audience for this book so consider me biased. This felt like a history book I was required to read (which I kind of was, per my book club...). I can respect the importance of the topic, the scope of the time period covered and the amount of research that went into the book. I would have found it more compelling (and it would have held my interest) had it been presented differently. Instead of textbook-style, if it had been more of a "follow a few different actual lives through that time period" sort of book, I think I would have been a lot more into it. As is, it was a struggle for me to even get through 10 pages at a time. "

" A cautionary tale, describing The Inquisition as an ongoing institution, characterized by zeal, righteousness, and dogged attention to administrative and bureaucratic detail. Look no farther than your newspaper's front page. "

" Fascinating and meticulously researched treatise on the three phases of the reformation, with many important insights as to the nature of abuse of power in general and torture in specific. "

" I was disappointed in the amount of space given to contemporary comparisons to the Inquisition -- Abu Ghraib for example. The history of The Inquisitions (there were many) was fascinating and the definition: a self-perpetuating bureaucracy with accurate and distributable record keeping was valuable. "

" Nobody expects a good book about the Spanish Inquisition. "

" History of the inquisition and ties to modern day Vatican and practices of interrogation, etc. had to return before I could finish. "

" A great read: informative, thought-provoking, and ultimately rather frightening. A valuable reminder that moral certitude often leads to bad results. "

" Another one bites the dust. "

" Read my review of the book at ReadWriteWeb. "

" Fascinating book. An overview of the inquisitions (Roman, Medieval, Spanish), how they develop in a society, and parallels to today's governments. Written in an easy-to-read style. Thoroughly enjoyed it. "