The Jesuits - by Markus Friedrich

Book Synopsis

The most comprehensive and up-to-date exploration of one of the most important religious orders in the modern world

Since its founding by Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, the Society of Jesus--more commonly known as the Jesuits--has played a critical role in the events of modern history. From the Counter-Reformation to the ascent of Francis I as the first Jesuit pope, The Jesuits presents an intimate look at one of the most important religious orders not only in the Catholic Church, but also the world. Markus Friedrich describes an organization that has deftly walked a tightrope between sacred and secular involvement and experienced difficulties during changing times, all while shaping cultural developments from pastoral care and spirituality to art, education, and science.

Examining the Jesuits in the context of social, cultural, and world history, Friedrich sheds light on how the order shaped the culture of the Counter-Reformation and participated in the establishment of European empires, including missionary activity throughout Asia and in many parts of Africa in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He also explores the place of Jesuits in the New World and addresses the issue of Jesuit slaveholders. The Jesuits often tangled with the Roman Curia and the pope, resulting in their suppression in 1773, but the order returned in 1814 to rise again to a powerful position of influence. Friedrich demonstrates that the Jesuit fathers were not a monolithic group and he considers the distinctive spiritual legacy inherited by Pope Francis.

With its global scope and meticulous attention to archival sources and previous scholarship, The Jesuits illustrates the heterogeneous, varied, and contradictory perspectives of this famed religious organization.

Review Quotes

"The Jesuits: A Thematic History is, ultimately, thought-provoking, and thus worth reading and discussing for those already immersed in Jesuit studies."---Thomas Flowers, Archivum Historicum Societatis Iesu

"Friedrich's tome marks a key development in Jesuit history--a non-Jesuit historian has approached the history of the Order without (presumably) any particular Jesuit motive or prejudice."---Mark A. Lewis, S.J., The Catholic Historical Review

"Markus Friedrich's volume could be described as relentless, but its barrage of information is a trustworthy basis from which to begin to understand one of the most remarkable products of Counter-Reformation energy."---Diarmaid MacCulloch, London Review of Books

""[A] comprehensive history. . . . A remarkably fair assessment of the complex history of the Jesuits."---Peter Davidson, Literary Review

"[An] immensely readable history of the order that will appeal to an audience beyond the Catholic tradition."---Thomas Filbin, Arts Fuse

"A comprehensive and unbiased history of the Society of Jesus. . . . Friedrich doesn't shy away from controversial topics (such as the Jesuits' roles in colonization and American slavery), nor does he attempt to either apologize for or demonize the people who are his object of study."-- "Christian Century"

"A fast-paced and richly researched history. . . . Friedrich's sweeping chronicle has much to offer."-- "Publishers Weekly"

"A fine accomplishment. . . . Friedrich writes in a clear and organized manner that makes for something of a 'page turner' experience; whereas some histories of the Jesuits sacrifice readability for density of detail, Friedrich achieves a good balance."---Doug Jones, Jesuit Post

"A work distinguished by deep scholarship, clear exposition and comprehensive coverage. . . . A smooth narrative covering nearly five centuries of Jesuit history in just over 800 pages. . . . The Jesuits is the best single-authored book on the subject I have seen."---Ronnie Hsia, Times Literary Supplement

"Friedrich tells this story with an exceptional command of a wide variety of sources in several languages. He's assisted by John Noel Dillon in a graceful and very readable English translation. The result is a book that will be of benefit not only to scholars, but also to general readers."---Timothy Walch, Catholic News Service

"However scholarly this magnum opus is, it can be read and enjoyed by anyone interested in the topic. The translation from the German original, published in 2016, is exceptionally gratifying."---Cornelius Michael Buckley, S.J., Catholic World Report

"This is a magisterial book, massive in its compass, its erudition, and its attention to detail. The history of the Jesuit order has usually been written by one of the members of the Society of Jesus, and yet here is a book of amazing scholarship, written by an outsider and, arguably, all the better for that; for the author brings a freshness of outlook to his task."---Lavinia Byrne, Church Times

About the Author

Markus Friedrich is professor of early modern history at the University of Hamburg. His books include The Birth of the Archive. He lives in Hamburg, Germany.