In this masterful; stylish; and authoritative book; Michael Burleigh gives us an epic history of the battles over religion in modern Europe. Examining the ways in which politics and religion have influenced each other over the last two hundred years; he reveals that throughout history the two realms have interacted in complex and sometimes lethal ways -- just as they still do today. The overall effect was a widespread increase in secularism and a demystification of the power of politics. With dazzling scope; Burleigh encompasses the philosophies of the Enlightenment and the influence of thinkers like Maistre and Bonald and Lamennais; painters like Zoffany and David; the Catholic Emancipation hero O'Connell; as well as the pseudo-religious aspects of Marxism. While the nineteenth century saw the replacement of the confessional by the liberal state; it also saw the birth of ideological fanaticisms that would achieve enormous power in the twentieth century. As the state began to colonize areas of existence where it previously hadn't ventured; it laid the foundations for both the soft totalitarianism of the modern bureaucratic welfare state and the more sinister police states of Communists and National Socialists. The most violent and repressive of these systems mimicked many of the functions of religion. Although liberalism was eventually restored to the continent in 1945 and 1989; many of the themes that Burleigh highlights here; notably the need for civic religions; have assumed a terrible relevance as Europe reacts to the threat of Al Qaeda.Earthly Powers is a magisterial history that sheds new light on the momentous struggles between church and state; from the French Revolution to the totalitarian movements of the twentieth century. Written with astonishing breadth and sophistication; this is a uniquely powerful portrait of one of the great tensions in modern history; one that continues to be played out on the world stage today.
#634992 in Books William Morrow Paperbacks 2006-07-25 2006-07-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .72 x 5.31l; .59 #File Name: 0060564075320 pagesGreat product!
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book is a winner.By Martha RonemusWe had this book for our Book Club and I wasn't excited about reading it. Turns out it is one of my favorites for this year so far. The writing is outstanding. The story taps into our universal desire to find a place where we are welcome and not judged. The author's life was shaken badly by 9/11; and she finds herself yearning for... she doesn't know what until she stumbles into the Little Chapel; which before potential readers start thinking she found religion... the Little Chapel is an Irish bar. Part of the charm of the book is that the author is as non-judgmental about the denizens of the bar as they are of her. The yearning for "family;" the desire for a place; the need for the wounds of 9/11 to be healed; the reassessment of a life... it's all there. You're going to love this book and probably will be planning a trip up the Hudson River to the Little Chapel.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. MemoriesBy Kindle Customer Jekyll MarilynAs a little girl just before ww2 my family lived in Garrison N.Y.. My father worked for the Osborne estate. I started school at Garrison Free school and attended the Episcopal church mentioned in the book. They were very happy years and this book brought back all my happy times. We moved back to upstate N.Y. after Pearl harbor. I am still friends with the girl I met first day of school though I have not seen her since 1942. Loved the way the author brought out the real feeling of this little town.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A must read!By CarefulA beautifully written book encompassing the joys of being part of a "community" with people from all walks of life caring about you and for you.Was a great Book Club read as the discussion was very deep and very interesting.
