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 modern science, the wealth of free-market economics, the security of law, a sense of human rights and freedom, charity as a virtue, splendid art and music, philosophy grounded in reason, and innumerable other gifts we take for granted. But what is the ultimate source of these gifts? Bestselling author and professor Thomas E. Woods, Jr., provides the answer: the Catholic Church.
No institution has done more to shape Western civilization than the two-thousand-year-old Catholic Church and in ways that many of us have forgotten or never known. Woods’ book is essential reading for recovering this lost truth.
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"This book was pretty interesting and taught me a lot about the influence, over time, of the catholic church. I was surprised to hear Woods' take on the contributions of the church to science, etc, and its openmindedness to the findings of research. We so typically think of the Catholic church as having been the "bad guy" in this area. Really though, think of all the work that monks, like Gregor Mendel, did."
— Ellis (4 out of 5 stars)
“Engaging and engrossing…A mine of information and a stimulus for reflection on the debt we owe Catholic life and thought.”
— Michael P. Foley, PhD, Baylor University“Superb and scholarly…Highly recommended.”
— Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, professor emeritus, City University of New York“Puts the Church back where it should be: at the center of values, science, laws, and institutions of Western civilization.”
— Dr. Paul Legutko, Stanford University“[Whitener’s] deep voice further adds to the pleasure of learning how popular prejudice has deceived us by ignoring the facts.”
— AudioFile" excellent treatise on the reality of Christianity "
— Dario, 12/8/2016" Lot of interesting history. "
— Chad, 2/15/2014" I couldn't finish it. I read up until Chapter 5. Until that moment it was nothing that I didn't know. Besides, his vocabulary is a bit over the top, in terms of being biased. In chapter 5, dedicated to science, he writes a sentence in which he states that while many people believe that the industrial revolution worsened working conditions, it actually improved them; and then he goes to put his other book as a reference, about the Catholic Church and free market. He's completely forgetting the encyclica Rerum Novarum, which Pope Leo XIII wrote at the end of the 19th century precisely to address working conditions. If he's attempting to defend the Church, and is forgetting that wonderful piece of writing, I can't read any further. And I'm catholic. "
— Teremarie, 1/20/2014" Dr. Woods has (in my humble, undergraduate opinion) studied from the very beginning already having made judgment calls on the Catholic church and fails to look at the opposing viewpoints except when he discredits them for not taking fair shots at his opinions. The book runs in circles and is exerting biased viewpoints on every page (that I've read). I doubt I will be able to finish this book, as I prefer academic, un-biased works so I can arrive at my own conclusions. "
— Lindsey, 1/2/2014" Excellent, thought-provoking, lucid... "
— Hevel, 12/31/2013" I always suspected the "Dark Ages" and "corrupt Church" labels were overdone, but this book was a real eye opener. "
— Erik, 12/6/2013" It sheds light on the role various churchmen (alas, where were the women)played in developing several branches of science. Well-documented challenge to the traditional notion of a religion-science conflict. "
— Dolly, 12/4/2013" Not just politically incorrect, this book also displays a deep bias that makes its findings hard to swallow. Furthermore, serious medievalists will not be surprised by most of its claims. However, it is likely to be of interest to readers who have not read much history or theology. "
— Thomas, 11/27/2013" History is so fascinating to me. I missed so much when I was in school, and I love learning about ancient history, and following the paths to our present day culture. "
— Melanie, 3/16/2013" Every history teacher should read this book. "
— Kathleen, 12/7/2012" Really helped me understand Catholic's contribution to history, especially to modern science. Very applicable for the evolution "debate" going on in the world today. "
— Joanna, 9/17/2012" This is a good book for those who have to contend with constant criticism that the Church hampered the development of arts and sciences. The author's faith is evident, and his writing is clear and easy to read. "
— Robin, 8/30/2012" Very interesting themes, but the author shows his faithful side too much and it looses a bit of the impact, because sometims it seems like he's preaching. "
— M4rc0, 4/24/2012" not very detailed. "
— Chuck, 3/7/2012" Very learned and a good defense of the Catholic Church with proofs! "
— Ellen, 2/19/2012" Must read for Catholics and Christians. Understanding the history and contributions to one's faith is uplifting. This book helps equip one to stand up to those who blame religion for everything and deny the good. "
— Laurie, 2/2/2012" An excellent book, truly enlightening unlike the anti-Catholic drivel of prejudiced leftist and "progressivist" authors and (fallacious) thinkers. "
— Edric, 9/22/2011" The Church's positive influence on science, law, human rights... Very worth reading. "
— David, 7/20/2011" Not just politically incorrect, this book also displays a deep bias that makes its findings hard to swallow. Furthermore, serious medievalists will not be surprised by most of its claims. However, it is likely to be of interest to readers who have not read much history or theology. "
— Thomas, 4/13/2011" History is so fascinating to me. I missed so much when I was in school, and I love learning about ancient history, and following the paths to our present day culture. "
— Melanie, 9/27/2010" Very learned and a good defense of the Catholic Church with proofs! "
— Ellen, 2/18/2010" I always suspected the "Dark Ages" and "corrupt Church" labels were overdone, but this book was a real eye opener. "
— Erik, 12/31/2009" It sheds light on the role various churchmen (alas, where were the women)played in developing several branches of science. Well-documented challenge to the traditional notion of a religion-science conflict. "
— Dolly, 12/31/2009" The Church's positive influence on science, law, human rights... Very worth reading. "
— David, 10/7/2009" Very informative. I got the feeling, though, that the author (a Roman Catholic himself) was SO positive about the Catholic Church that he must have skipped or glossed over some history. Also, he tries to argue that Socialism is a result of Protestantism. "
— Richard, 8/12/2009" Had to read for a religion course in college. It's an interesting history of the Catholic church, although it is somewhat biased. "
— Sara, 4/12/2009" Fantasic book. I went to Catholic schools and had not heard some (most) of this info. <br/> Really cool stuff to know. "
— Mike, 2/20/2009Professor Thomas E. Woods Jr. is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History, as well as The Church Confronts Modernity: Catholic Intellectuals and the Progressive Era and The Church and the Market: A Catholic Defense of the Free Economy. He holds four Ivy League degrees, including an AB from Harvard and a PhD from Columbia. He teaches courses in Western civilization, is the associate editor of the Latin Mass magazine, and is a prolific essayist on historical subjects. He lives with his family in Coram, New York.
Barrett Whitener has been narrating audiobooks since 1992. His recordings have won several awards, including the prestigious Audie Award and numerous Earphones Awards. AudioFile magazine has named him one of the Best Voices of the Century.