Two Thousand Years: The First Millennium : The Birth of Christianity to the Crusades - Hardcover

Two Thousand Years: The First Millennium chronicles the birth of Christianity, from its Jewish roots in the first century, its spread through the Roman Empire and beyond, to the loss of Jerusalem to Islam, and the re-conquest with the First Crusade in the 11th century.

This two-volume set, a companion to a major British television series produced by the BBC, documents the enormous influence Christianity has had for the last 2000 years. The first volume begins with the rise of Christianity as a small sect of Judaism in the first century and its expansion beyond the boundaries of the Roman Empire. The narrative continues with the loss of possessions in the Holy Land to Islam and concludes with the reconquest of Christian lands during the first crusade in the 11th century. Volume 2 presents Christianity's second millennium, from the flowering of the Middle Ages as seen in the grand cathedrals of Western Europe to the turbulent years of the Reformation unto the present day. Concerns of the 21st century, such as geographical changes in Christian populations in Third World countries and the ordination of women, make up the final chapter. Partner (The Lands of St. Peter: The Papal State in the Middle Ages) is a prominent historian and journalist who has frequently broadcast for the BBC. A pleasure to read, these lavishly illustrated books make a fitting tribute to the millennium and are a welcome addition to any library collection. For another good title on the same subject, see David L. Edwards's Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years (Orbis, 1998). Highly recommended.DMichael W. Ellis, Ellenville P.L., NY
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