Author:Owen Chadwick,Stephen Neill
A History of Christian Missions traces the expansion of Christianity from its origins in the Middle East to Rome, the rest of Europe and the colonial world, and assesses its position as a major religious force worldwide. Many of the world’s religions have not actively sought converts, largely because they have been too regional in character. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, however, are the three chief exceptions to this, and Christianity in particular has found a home in almost every country in the world. Professor Stephen Neill’s comprehensive and authoritative survey examines centuries of missionary activity, beginning with Christ and working through the Crusades and the colonization of Asia and Africa up to the present day, concluding with a shrewd look ahead to what the future may hold for the Christian Church.
Wood is not just a keen critic, our best, but a superb writer
—— Adam Begley , Financial TimesA close reader of genius... Illuminating and exciting and compelling... one never doubts the soundness of his judgements... There is wonderful writing throughout this collection, by turns luscious and muscular, committed and disdaining, passionate and minutely considered
—— John Banville , Irish TimesHe is one of literature's true lovers, and his deeply felt, contentious essays are thrilling in their reach and moral seriousness
—— Susan SontagMagnificent... Like all good critics, he is a story-teller of the art of reading, recreating the experience on the page for us
—— Evening Standard , Francis SpuffordWe have very few critics who can vie with Jarrell and Toynbee, who can remind us that talking about literature is a part of what literature is about, and talking about it with passion, precision, and out of a rich store of reading is a rare and precious gift: it is good for all of us that James Wood has it and we have James Wood
—— Gabriel Josipovici , Times Literary SupplementHe is a true critic: an urgent, impassioned reader of literature, a tireless interpreter, a live and learned intelligence, good writing company
—— Malcolm Bradbury , New StatesmanA book that makes you feel, having closed it, as if your mind has been oxygenated
—— Natasha Walter , IndependentHe speaks in a manner dedicated to establishing no less than the truth
—— New York Timesan eccentric but charming and instructive book which is oddly difficult to put down
—— Jonathan Sumption , SpectatorExtraordinary... She allows her book to grow and swell, like a symphony, expanding and deepening its themes until the traditional wisdom and life of the mountain envelopes you entirely. Rather like a spell, in fact.
—— Country LifeIt soars with the luminous prose and unflinching honesty we have come to expect from this brilliantly gifted writer. Elixir is an extraordinary, profoundly moving book... Her prose is breathtaking, the stories heartbreaking.
—— Feminism and ReligionA joyous celebration of the Pomak community in southern Bulgaria.
—— Spectator, *Books of the Year*