Diane Moczar

In Seven Lies about Catholic History, Diane Moczar (Islam at the Gates) tackles the most infamous and prevalent historical myths about the Church popular legends that you encounter everywhere from textbooks to T.V. and reveals the real truth about them. She explains how they got started and why they're still around, and best of all, she gives you the facts and the arguments you need to set the record straight about The Inquisition: how it was not a bloodthirsty institution but a merciful (and necessary) one, Galileo's trial: why moderns invented a myth around it to make science appear incompatible with the Catholic faith (it's not), The Reformation: why the 16th-century Church was not totally corrupt (as even some Catholics wrongly believe), and how the reformers made things worse for everybody and other lies that the world uses to attack and discredit the Faith.… (mer)

The Church under Attack is an account of European history from the 16th century as viewed as a series of assaults on the Catholic Church. It's a survey, and covers quite a bit of ground in less than 250 pages by going the broad and shallow route. The author is apparently one of that rare breed of true Conservatives, an American monarchist who is not big on capitalism and even less big on revolution or individual rights. The novelty of her point of view makes up for the seeming ridiculousness of some of her opinions, but as is often the case among unusual opinions, some of her thoughts do ring true in a sort of "Hmmm, I never thought about it that way" kind of way.

Probably only of interest to Catholics of a particular stripe, or those who want to think about European history from a different point of view (note, the author's mindset is much more common in Europe so may not be as novel there than here in the US). But for those interested in such things, I can highly recommend it.… (mer)

The Church Ascending is a short work of history covering the development of Christianity and European civilization from the beginnings of the Church through the end of the 15th century. It's a fun work and you can tell the author did her research, but it's definitely a popular work, not a scholarly one. She calls Emperor Frederick II Barbarossa "Fred" for example and discusses how she does not like him and thinks him a bit evil. Each chapter ends with some questions for thought and a short annotated bibliography of works she recommends, most of them older. It's a great place for someone to start learning about early and medieval history, but it should not be your only resource.

Recommended for those looking for a readable history of early and medieval Europe with a focus on the Catholic Church and those associated with it.… (mer)