Reformation in England (2 vol set)

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Historical Drama
Review: The Reformation in England Vol. 1 is highly readable and entertaining. It first reviews the spiritual state of England prior to the Reformation and culminates with the Catholic Cardinal Wolsey's fall from favor. The story takes you from chanting druids, to pious men preaching, to dazzling court palaces, to a haughty despotic monarch, to smothering piles where faithful Christians are being burned, to the cunning and craft of a pope attempting to regain England, "his flock". The author weaves throughout this book character sketches of men and women who were engaged in this spectacular historical drama. We meet studious Tyndale, sterling Wycliffe, and scholarly Latimer. You will also encounter men and women ascending the steps of power -- Thomas Cromwell, crafty Henry VIII, gracious Catherine of Aragon, vivacious Ann Boleyn, the devout Catholic Sir Thomas More, Pope Clement, and Cardinal Wolsey. These men and women are just some of the numerous characters in this fascinating story. This is one of my very favorite books! I love history, and this historical narrative is written exceedingly well and is fun to read! It is certainly not a dull, dry statement of facts, but an intriguing, accurate and fascinating story centering on an important era in history, and delivered from a decidedly Protestant Christian perspective.