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Protestants

The Radicals Who Made the Modern World

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Protestants

By: Alec Ryrie
Narrated by: Tim Bruce
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On the 500th anniversary of Luther’s rebellion, this spectacular global history traces the revolutionary faith that shaped the modern world.

Five hundred years ago Protestant Christianity began with one stubborn monk – today, it includes a billion people across the globe.

The upheaval Martin Luther triggered inspired one of the most creative and destructive movements in human history. Protestants is the story of the men and women who made and remade this quarrelsome faith by demanding alarming new freedoms and experimenting in new systems of government. Inspired by their newly accessible Bibles, they transformed their inner lives, a transformation that spilled over into social upheavals and political revolutions. Alec Ryrie’s dazzling history explores how its restless energy made and is still making the modern world.

 Christianity Europe Military Modern Renaissance Imperialism Africa War Self-Determination Middle Ages Latin American Social justice Socialism
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Critic reviews

‘A book about Protestants could so easily mirror crude stereotypes. Protestants are supposedly staid, prudish, law-abiding and dull. Ryrie instead exposes their infinite variety — the weird, wicked and wonderful. This is a fun book about people obsessed with sin’ Books of the Year, The Times
‘A treat. Its scholarship showcases one of the leading historians of Protestantism writing today, but the delight of it is the crisp prose, the quiet, cool wit, the wise judgements and the sheer scope from the gates of Wittenberg to the streets of Seoul. Ryrie has a gift for showing how the history of religion is the history of people, in all their glorious, baffling, frightening and endearing variety’ Diarmaid MacCulloch, author of ‘Reformation and Christianity’
‘This is a book of breathtaking range and penetrating insight. It will shape our perception of the Reformation and its long shadow for years to come’ Andrew Pettegree, author of ‘Brand Luther’
‘Spectacularly good. Ryrie guides us sure-footedly along the broad paths of Protestant history without neglecting its many fascinating by-ways. He writes with empathy but without illusions; his trademark combination of wit and erudition makes the journey as enjoyable as it is enlightening’ Prof. Peter Marshall, University of Warwick
‘A learned, lively look at the various faiths lumped together as Protestant, from Martin Luther in the 16th century to today… Rarely has an author of such deep faith offered such a tolerant, engaging history of any religion’ Kirkus
‘Ryrie's agile mind, pithy style and energetic narrative bring 500 years of Protestant history to life and into the present global era. Profound and capacious, ‘Protestants’ is scintillating, shrewd, incisive and proceeds at an astonishing pace. If you wish to buy one book to understand the impact Martin Luther has had on the modern world, this is it’ The Rt Revd Dr Graham Kings, Mission Theologian in the Anglican Communion
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Most relevant
A fascinating balanced look at how Protestantism has impacted the world, for both good and ill, often in the same culture wars. Particularly interesting in this regard is how Protestantism both propped up the slave trade and led to its demise. Likewise it propped up, and equally overthrew apartheid in South Africa. I also found the history of Protestantism in Korea fascinating, since I knew so little about it.

One narrative I think would have been appropriate to look at, but wasn’t, was Protestantism’s role in sectarian conflicts in Ireland. I was surprised by its lack of inclusion.

Saints and Sinners

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The story of the Reformation and it's consequences is told here vibrantly, honestly, compellingly and sympathetically.. Tim Bruce's reading really holds your attention, and Ryrie writes with a real passion for his subject.

Brilliant, comprehensive, compelling.

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I like the approach the author took to such a complex topic. It would have been easier to write in a judgemental manner but the author steers clearly of that. Instead he tried to make sure we understood the motives and driving force behind some of the good, great, bad and terrible decisions protestant Christians have made across history.
In a lot of instances, it gave me an opportunity to understand why certain situations exist today and even more dangerously, what would I have done had I been there.

Great approach to a complex history

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An interesting first half of the book, and well narrated too. The second half especially once the 20th century is reached turns into what feels like a succession of Guardian articles. Filled with Liberal platitudes and tiresome hand wringing which is sadly the hallmark of modern Anglicans.

Good first half

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