Synopses & Reviews
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.
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“With effervescent prose, Burleigh chronicles the rise of the ‘terrible simplifications of the secular age with a Dostoevskian intensity.” Niall Ferguson, author of Colossus
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“Fascinating, enjoyable, and beautifully written. . . . A masterful survey of European history.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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“A provocative reconsideration of early modern European history.” Kirkus Reviews
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“This is a hugely informative and stimulating book, by one of the most original historians of the modern age. Noel Malcolm, The Evening Standard
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“A vast range of material is handled in a deft, readable way.” The Economist
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“As an intellectual history, the book is digressive but compelling.” The New Yorker
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“A vivid portrait. . . perfect for a tale that has many extremists but few heroes.” National Review
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“Thoughtful and highly original. Earthly Powers steers a new path through the well-trodden ground of modern European history.” Paul Johnson, author of Modern Times
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“Michael Burleigh has written a thoughtful and highly original book.” Paul Johnson, author of Modern Times
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“Michael Burleigh is one of Englands finest historians and Earthly Powers is a wonderful and illuminating achievement.” Jay Winik, author of April 1865
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“Remarkable…. There is a furious energy at work here…. The sheer volume of information presented is startling and thrilling.” The Observer
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“A hugely ambitious intellectual undertaking, but one that succeeds magnificently…. The author is clearly at the height of his powers.” Andrew Roberts, The Sunday Telegraph
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“A substantial and sardonic study…. A powerful summary of an age in which western Europe found its old faith incoherent.” Diarmaid MacCulloch, The Guardian
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“Earthly Powers can only cement Michael Burleighs reputation as one of the leading historians of our time.” The Independent
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“Earthly Powers should be required reading for anyone who understands that religion and politics can never be divorced.” Chicago Tribune
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“Burleigh does a marvelous job profiling colorful characters while still managing to convey the historical importance of their ideas.” Mark Lilla, The New York Times Book Review
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“A refreshingly complicated history…. Burleigh covers a huge amount of ground, from Ireland to Greece and Russia.” Graham Robb, The Daily Telegraph
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“Everyone who reads Earthly Powers…will be grateful that Burleigh has put religion back into the history of European politics.” Daniel Johnson, Sunday Times (London)
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“This is history on a grand scale, but a history that illuminates the present as well as the past.” Joseph Frank, author of Dostoevsky
Synopsis
In this magisterial history, the author of "The Third Reich" sheds new light on the epic struggles between church and state, from the French Revolution to the totalitarian movements of the 20th century.
About the Author
Michael Burleigh is the author of Earthly Powers, Sacred Causes, and The Third Reich: A New History, which won the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction. He is married and lives in London.