The Church Under Attack : Five Hundred Years That Split the Church and Scattered the Flock

Upon opening the pages of The Church Under Attackyou realize two things. First, this is a well-researched book dealing with a pivotal 500 year period in Church history. Second, the author has found a way to present this history in an entertaining fashion that draws you in. Dr. Diane Moczar has managed to do something not every author of a history book can do. Make learning history enjoyable.

It would seem an impossible feat to do in a mere 234 pages, but Dr. Moczar has managed to touch upon nearly every major event that has happened since the sixteenth century. Luther’s breaking with the Church, the Ottoman Turks, challenges in Europe, trials with Russia, Napolean, Two World Wars and the list goes on. Each century starting with the sixteenth has a dedicated chapter up through the last chapter that deals with the Cold War.

What I really want to point out in this review is Dr. Moczar’s writing style. With enough time and research nearly anyone can compile a history book. What makes this one truly special is Dr. Moczar’s wit. She makes the content engaging with just a touch of humor that breaks up what can be, to the average reader, bland history. The ability to present the text in this manner makes this book a winner to me, and I believe, opens it up to a wider audience that would normally not find a book on Church history on their “to read” list.

Another invaluable feature of this book is at the end of the book the “Suggestions for Further Reading” chapter. This is so much more than a standard bibliography. Dr. Moczar provides an exhaustive list of further reading on each chapter of the book. More than a garden variety bibliography, she goes into detail about each suggested book and why you should read it.

Overall this book was a fantastic read and illuminated many areas of Church history I was unfamiliar with. This is certainly a book I will pick up again to reference and read. Additionally Dr. Moczar’s writing style was so enjoyable I hope to read some more of her works in the near future. In a nutshell, I highly recommend this book for its value as a text on Church history and the pure enjoyment of reading it.

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I received a copy of the book for this review from Sophia Institute Press.