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The Catholic Church: A History
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Publisher's Summary
How did the Catholic Church become one of the most influential institutions in the world - a force capable of moving armies, inspiring saints, and shaping the lives of a billion members?
Explore these and other questions as you follow the development of this important institution in 36 informative, fascinating lectures. With Professor Cook by your side, you'll step into the world of the early church, witness the spread of Christendom, and learn about the origins of fundamental church institutions.
Your journey begins in the early years of the church, when Jesus's disciples developed the first communities of faith. You'll get a chance to delve into crucial ancient church documents and gain an intriguing glimpse into the lives of these early believers. From there, you'll trace the development and spread of this nascent religion throughout the world, covering crucial developments including the conversion of the Roman Empire to Catholicism, the schism between the Roman faith and the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Reformation.
As you delve into this fascinating saga, you'll quickly see that the Catholic Church actually takes many forms. You'll trace the many variations of worship and belief that evolved as Christianity spread all over the Mediterranean, and you'll witness how Catholic practice and faith have been transformed by the cultures and peoples it has touched. Professor Cook brings an unparalleled intellectual rigor to his presentation, balanced by a deep appreciation of the church's legacy and impact. Join him on this epic journey through Catholic history, and experience how this small gathering of faithful became one of the most powerful forces on the world stage - the "one holy catholic and apostolic Church."
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
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- Tatay JP
- 2019-04-22
beyond an eye opener
I'm listening again, nothing that is in the lectures was frivolous. The stories and tidbits were story telling gold. I was raised atheist, a bit anti Christian since we are a Christian majority country. But wow I want to be Catholic and share in the dynamic and dysfunctional family.
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- P. Kerlin
- 2014-01-21
Thorough history presented in a compelling manner
Would you consider the audio edition of The Catholic Church: A History to be better than the print version?
As a college level course, the material presented is both thorough and interesting. I am on my second listening of the course because there is just such a wealth of information provided.
What other book might you compare The Catholic Church: A History to and why?
I love Father Robert Barron's Catholicism series and this course was a great addition to the material Father Barron presented. Obviously this course is a history while Barron's is not intended to be. Professor Cook was able to explain a lot of the "why" behind the evolution of the church while Father Barron continually showed its beauty. For those who really want to know about the Catholic church, this is a great asset.
Have you listened to any of Professor William R. Cook’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have watched and listened to Professor Cook's course on The Great Cathedrals. He is a compelling and enthusiastic lecturer who presents material in a straight forward manner. I thought this course was quite good as an audiobook, while the course on cathedrals obviously needed the visual information. I plan on purchasing other courses by Dr. Cook.
Any additional comments?
One need not be Catholic to enjoy this thorough history. Professor Cook knows his material and presents it in an enthusiastic and compelling manner.
25 of 26 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2015-04-03
Wonderful! I learned so much!
I learned so much about my faith! I want to listen to it again! Wonderful!
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fox Fairy
- 2014-03-20
Great listen, really loved the professor
Where does The Catholic Church: A History rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
In the lecture category its in the top 5
What other book might you compare The Catholic Church: A History to and why?
This is the first theological history I've listened to, but the other great courses options are the most similar
Have you listened to any of Professor William R. Cook’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have not but he was really great
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were many instances that I was just really impressed or inspired.
Any additional comments?
I'm not Catholic (I'm actually a Mormon) and just wanted to learn more about the Catholic church to help me better understand European history but the lecture was very easy to follow, I don't think I ever felt lost or confused and not only do I have a clearer picture of European history, I also have a greater appreciation of the similarities between our two religions and I feel motivated to listen to lectures on other religions.
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- vicki
- 2015-07-16
Great job
As a catholic who knows their history, it was great to see a truthful look at our faith and church. Great job
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Juan More Media
- 2015-07-07
Concise History of the Universal Church
What made the experience of listening to The Catholic Church: A History the most enjoyable?
The Catholic Church A History is by one of the professors of Dante's Comedy, clearly Catholic. He goes through the primitive church up till the Schism with Orthodoxy and the Reform, and all the way up till modern American Catholicism. The professor knows his stuff very well and shares it well. The course shows the validity of the claim that the Catholic Church is the Church that Christ founded, although it's not an apologetics course but rather focuses on what happened, how, and why.
Any additional comments?
The very first lecture of the course is a MUST for anyone who wishes to know about Christianity and the role that the Catholic Church has had in the world. Though it has been a center for controversy, it's also a strong force of good to the world, so anyone who wishes to be objective when discussing religion, should listen to at least the first lecture.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bob Bortolin
- 2017-01-16
Great book to listen to multiple times
Very interesting series of lectures. A lot of information is presented very quickly, and this makes multiple listenings almost a must. The professor is obviously very knowledgeable and his presentation keeps you engaged.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- Tim R. Prussic
- 2016-05-23
good stuff: too much an apology
I learned plenty listening to this fine historian. Really, there's a lot to recommend these lectures. Negatively, the lectures come across as too much of an 'insiders' Catholic history. also, seems a little triumphalistic in the Vatican II and John Paul II and modern ecumenism, but maybe (as a contemporary Roman Catholic)that's what he should be.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mzlizzie
- 2015-06-24
Strengthens my Catholic Faith
I am Catholic and this book was very enlightening, making me more firm in my belief in the Catholic Church. I especially liked his point about how quick people are to criticize the Church or leave the Church because of a pedophile priest but don't think about the fact that they are also leaving Mother Teresa, St Francis and all those like them. He also clearly explains how the Church is present for each age and that it is truly holy, catholic and apostolic.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bort
- 2014-09-27
Educational and interesting without being boring!
What made the experience of listening to The Catholic Church: A History the most enjoyable?
Professor Cook's narration and presentation of the course is the best part of this experience. He takes the dry historical facts that I'd never be able to make it through in textbook or Wikipedia form and constructs a really interesting and compelling series of lectures by adding asides, reflections, and making sure to fully flesh out the context of events.
What did you like best about this story?
So. Much. Education. I now know so much more about Church history than I ever thought I would be able to fit in my head.
What about Professor William R. Cook’s performance did you like?
He's a fantastic lecturer. I've been to university, and I can tell you horror stories about professors who stand at the lectern and deliver aural valium, ensuring you absorb next to nothing of the content. Professor Cook's delivery is upbeat and excited, as though he's eager to share these facts and stories with us, and that really keeps you focused and learning.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Not really, since it's a series of lectures and each has a topic and logical start/stop points. It's much easier to digest this way since listening to 20+ hours straight is... impractical. ;)
Any additional comments?
Fantastic lecture series for anyone interested in the Catholic Church or even simply the history of the western world in general, since the two were so intertwined.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2014-11-12
Well researched; Well presented
What made the experience of listening to The Catholic Church: A History the most enjoyable?
The clearly structured presentation of a complex topic kept the listener focused on what happened (past), what happens now or at this stage (present), and what will follow (future). Professor Cook knows how to present a difficult topic. He also has the obvious enthusiasm to share what he enjoys doing.
What did you like best about this story?
We live this story, so how can we not love it.
What about Professor William R. Cook’s performance did you like?
The unquenchable enthusiasm of a researcher/professor/expert-in-his-field.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
It made me take deep breaths at numerous intervals, plus countless "AHA! moments."
Any additional comments?
Every Christian should listen to this Audible Great Books course. Anyone interested in Christianity or even critical of Christianity should hear the unvarnished truth from the mouth of an expert.
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