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Heretics and Believers

A History of the English Reformation

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Heretics and Believers

By: Peter Marshall
Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan
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About this listen

Centuries on, what the Reformation was and what it accomplished remain deeply contentious. Peter Marshall's sweeping new history argues that 16th-century England was a society neither desperate for nor allergic to change, but one open to ideas of "reform" in various competing guises. King Henry VIII wanted an orderly, uniform Reformation, but his actions opened a Pandora's Box from which pluralism and diversity flowed and rooted themselves in English life.

With sensitivity to individual experience as well as masterfully synthesizing historical and institutional developments, Marshall frames the perceptions and actions of people great and small, from monarchs and bishops to ordinary families and ecclesiastics, against a backdrop of profound change that altered the meanings of "religion" itself. This engaging history reveals what was really at stake in the overthrow of Catholic culture and the reshaping of the English Church.

©2017 Peter Marshall (P)2018 Tantor 16th Century Christianity Europe Great Britain History Modern England Royalty King Tudor English Reformation

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Occasionally the delivery felt overdone and a little off putting, but actually I got used to the style quickly and it didn’t put me off so many hours of listening. Brilliantly researched and expressed, if you want to know the background and history of the reformation, and put into better perspective characters like Thomas Cromwell, for instance, and understand just how far people will go for their faith, this is the book for you.

Very in depth

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Having been taught by Peter Marshall at university I was happy to enjoy more of his thought provoking insights on his specialist topic. The narration is arguably somewhat annoying but each to their own, I suppose.

Interesting listen

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I have read several books on the subject of the Reformation, and this one is by far the best. The author presents the facts, and the characters involved, in a completely impartial light - very unusual when it comes to this particular subject matter. The story is told with wry humour, perfect in the context of our very particularly English Reformation. I didn't want this thought provoking book to end. The parallels with our modern post-EU Referendum society are striking. Napoleon Ryan's narration is perfect and makes very easy listening.

The best book on the subject I have read.

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Very interesting and informative. Struggled with the narrator. Liked how he changed his tone when referring to referenced narrative. Disliked his overall/general narration. Sorry to say he sounded like he was computer-generated.

Interesting audible book

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This is a complex issue that requires a steady hand on the rudder if the terrain is to be successfully navigated through. There is no quick fix as each chapter must be approached with dedication and respect. King Henry VIII not only changed England through his Reforms - he changed the world and the manner in which people think. Ultimately, the Reformation not only ended Absolute Monarchy in the UK (and caused the abolition of State Religion for a time) - but even influenced the Catholic Church it opposed! And yet genuine social upheaval is rarely bloodless (Henry VIII executed around 70,000 during his reign) as even today the consequences of the Reformation are still playing out in British culture and world affairs. Indeed, the Reformation led directly to the English Civil Wars of the 1640s which saw the middle classes sieze control of the means of production. A groundbreaking book of outstanding proportions. Logically thought out and sensitively handled. A joy to listen to.

A Superb Account of a Pivotal Time Within English History!

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I would suggest the book should be withdrawn and be re recorded by a less judgmental narrator. The tone he takes when quoting very learned and Godly men from this period is condescending and pathetic.
He clearly has a biase against these people and shouldn’t be used to narrate books on this subject.

A very interesting book ruined by a terrible narrator

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The book is excellent, but the narrator sounds like an old fashioned film trailer, bassey and overly dramatic, make him hard to listen to.

Narration is heavy going but book is excellent!

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Very fair review of a contentious period of British history, great detail on an ever changing religious and political atmosphere.

Balanced

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Informative, consistent, credible and delivering a powerful insight to the critical period of English history.

Excellent

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It will be hard to improve on this general history of this foundational change in English society.

Insightful chronicle of Momentous Change

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