The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom (vol. 1) [Paperback]

Warren H. Carroll (Author)

Book Description

Series: History of Christendom | Publication Date: October 1, 2004

This series is the only comprehensive narration of Western history written from the orthodox Catholic perspective still in print. How would a historical narrative read if the author began with these first principles: Truth exists; the Incarnation happened? This series is essential reading for those who consider the West worth defending.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Warren Carroll (1932–2011) was founder of Christendom College, serving as president from 1977–85, and as chairman of the Department of History from 1985–2002. Carroll earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Columbia Uni­versity. The author of numerous books, he has won a well-deserved reputation as one of the foremost Catholic historians of our time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 605 pages
• Publisher: Christendom Press; 1 edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0931888212
• ISBN-13: 978-0931888212
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #262,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Historical Context, March 1, 2003

By 

Arthem "arthem" (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom (vol. 1) (Paperback)

First of all, it is worth note that Carroll admits his bias right from the beginning, and thus honestly admits to what would have been obvious from the first few pages of his work. Among the "objective historians", the lack of bias is paramount, and is established by attacking, diminishing, and demeaning whatever subject they approach. Carroll, by way of contrast, admits a pre-existing bias, and is thus free to explore, explain, and defend his subject matter.

The Founding of Christendom accomplishes three great ends. First, it provides a succinct and riveting chronological study of the "History of the World." I admit I was quite shocked to discover that Carroll picks up his work not from AD0, but from the moment of Creation itself. Audacious! And yet his historical approach provides a new view of Genesis.

Secondly, Carroll's portrait of the evolution of Judaism, through the birth of Christ gives a compelling view of the necessity of the Old Testament as a precondition to the New.

Finally, the extent to which "Foundation" establishes chronological context is particularly impressive. Without so much as a "Meanwhile, in Greece..." Carroll manages to firmly establish the temporal relationship of Biblical events within the broader context of world history. It is one thing to look at a wall chart displaying events in different civilizations at different times, and quite another to understand the relationship between Philistine domination of the Israelites and the Homeric legends of ancient Greece. Certainly other works have hinted at the similarities between the Phillistines, Goliath and the Grecian demi-gods, but Carroll's was the first work that made it click so clearly.

Finally, this is the best of the four comparably excellent volumes for one primary reason: this volume has the least number of references to "August, the ancient dying time of Rome," the phrase of resort that may be Carroll's one true weakness.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not at all boring, January 15, 2004

By 

Jim Bowman (Cumming, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom (vol. 1) (Paperback)

I labored through several other church history books until I came across this gem of a series (four of six completed). Dr. Carroll has done thorough research and comes across with a balanced view -- and from an unashamedly Catholic perspective -- in very readable prose. Now that Dr. Carroll has retired, perhaps he will make time for book five in the series. I cannot wait!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Finally, A History As Christ Would Write It", October 10, 2001

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Founding of Christendom: A History of Christendom (vol. 1) (Paperback)

In this age of scathing biblical criticism and rigorous historical objectivity it is definately a relief to find someone writing history from a theocentric point-of-view. Warren H. Carroll makes way for Christ and His Church through a general overview of history starting with man's earliest encounters with God all the way to the establishment of Christendom by Constantine the Great. A thorough account of the life of Christ is given along with a clear, detailed narrative defining the Apostles' missions at home and abroad, the steadfast character of Christianity under persecution, and the pride of the Roman Empire giving way to the conquering humility and ethics of Christianity. An eloquent summation of both the New and Old Testaments are treated with strong and convincing answers to modern criticism - Carroll's colorful storyline mixed with brilliant Christian apologetics makes this an excessively convincing read...there are four books in this series currently in print, two more presently in the making.