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Populated by many of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century, "Sacred Causes" provides a brilliant examination of how religion has shaped 20th-century Europe from the Great War until the modern-day War on Terror. Beginning with the chaotic post-World War I landscape in which religious belief was one way of reordering a world knocked off its axis, "Sacred Causes" is a sweepingly assured critique of how religion has often been camouflaged by politics. Covering a vast canvas, Burleigh examines the many 'secular' religions the twentieth century produced, analysing how successive totalitarian leaders fantasised and aped the hierarchy, rites and ritual of the churches in the desire to return to the day where ruler and deity were one. All the many bloody regimes and movements of the century are here, from Stalin's Soviet Union, Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, Franco's Spain through to modern scourge of terrorism the current 'War on Terror'. Often blackly comic, the book shows how the churches, in its various guises, have been swayed by - and contributed to - conflicting secular currents.
He traces religious beliefs and institutions from a time when the church, disenchanted with both democracy and fascism, began to search for political alternatives. He brilliantly exposes the way in which fears of socialist movements tempered the churches' response to the threat of totalitarian regimes. During the Second World War, the churches faced agonising dilemmas, notably how to respond to the Holocaust. Controversially, Burleigh uses new evidence to show that Pope Pius XII performed well. Combining the deeper workings of history with an urgent sense of the contemporary relevance of his material, Burleigh challenges his readers to consider why no-one foresaw the religious implications of massive Third World immigration, as well as what is driving current calls for a 'civic religion' with which to counter the terrorist threats which have so shocked the West.
Populated by many of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century, "Sacred Causes" provides a brilliant examination of how religion has shaped 20th-century Europe from the Great War until the modern-day War on Terror. Beginning with the chaotic post-World War I landscape in which religious belief was one way of reordering a world knocked off its axis, "Sacred Causes" is a sweepingly assured critique of how religion has often been camouflaged by politics. Covering a vast canvas, Burleigh examines the many 'secular' religions the twentieth century produced, analysing how successive totalitarian leaders fantasised and aped the hierarchy, rites and ritual of the churches in the desire to return to the day where ruler and deity were one. All the many bloody regimes and movements of the century are here, from Stalin's Soviet Union, Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, Franco's Spain through to modern scourge of terrorism the current 'War on Terror'. Often blackly comic, the book shows how the churches, in its various guises, have been swayed by - and contributed to - conflicting secular currents.
He traces religious beliefs and institutions from a time when the church, disenchanted with both democracy and fascism, began to search for political alternatives. He brilliantly exposes the way in which fears of socialist movements tempered the churches' response to the threat of totalitarian regimes. During the Second World War, the churches faced agonising dilemmas, notably how to respond to the Holocaust. Controversially, Burleigh uses new evidence to show that Pope Pius XII performed well. Combining the deeper workings of history with an urgent sense of the contemporary relevance of his material, Burleigh challenges his readers to consider why no-one foresaw the religious implications of massive Third World immigration, as well as what is driving current calls for a 'civic religion' with which to counter the terrorist threats which have so shocked the West.
/ Lead title Populated by many of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century, 'Sacred Causes' provides a brilliant examination of how religion has shaped 20th-century Europe from the Great War until the modern-day War on Terror. / Michael Burleigh's 'The Third Reich' remains the definitive work on Nazi Germany and won the Samuel Johnson Prize. It has sold over 60,000 copies in the UK alone. / Major review and feature coverage assured across the media for one of our foremost historians. / As with Robert Fisk's 'Great War for Civilization', this will be a landmark book for understanding world politics today and will include the greatest figures and some of the most significant moments in world history.
Michael Burleigh is Distinguished Research Professor in Modern History at Cardiff University. He is the author of seven well-received books, including 'The Third Reich', for which he was awarded the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2001.
Praise for 'Earthly Powers': 'Stimulating!ascinating and beautifully produced with superb colour illustrations and rich footnotes!Burleigh has written a thought-provoking, deeply civilised book.' Independent '"Earthly Powers" can only cement Michael Burleigh's reputation as one of the leading historians of our time. It is a brilliantly wide-ranging and profoundly rewarding treatment of the part that religious instinct has played in the history of modern Europe.' Independent on Sunday '["Earthly Powers"] is no dry academic thesis, but a passionate, highly opinionated!survey of the damage done to European civilisation by various creeds!fascinating, important and thought-provoking.' Sunday Telegraph More Praise for 'Earthly Powers': 'An enormous and hugely ambitious subject ! Michael Burleigh soars masterfully ! across its wide horizons ! scintillating.' BBC History Magazine '"Earthly Powers" is a superb book. Its conception is profound, its execution brilliant ! One has the impression of a mind entirely at home in the past 200 years of European history, moving from fact to fact in free, reflective play.' New Statesman Praise for 'The Third Reich': 'This is writing of the highest order. One can barely envisage a contemporary work of history more lucid, more penetrating or painted onto a broader canvas.' Financial Times 'Astonishing and awe-inspiring. A breathtaking achievement, at once broader and deeper than any other single volume ever published on the subject. It is the product of authentic historical genius.' Niall Ferguson, Sunday Times 'This is a monumental book, a tour de force.' Richard Overy, Sunday Telegraph 'Burleigh calls his work "a new history" and for once that claim is fully justified. An original work in which narrative history, rigorous analytic explanation and unblinking intellectual moral judgement are united with compelling originality.' Michael Andre Bernstein, Los Angeles Times 'Michael Burleigh has produced a modern classic. This book is a masterwork.' Washington Times 'His narrative is eminently accessible, the formidable learning lightly worn, the canvas immense, unpretentious and humane.' Times Literary Supplement
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