Description
Book SynopsisWhite Eagle, Black Madonna charts the remarkable journey of the Polish Catholic community from its tenth-century origins on the eastern edge of medieval Christendom to the twenty-first century, when a Pole occupied the See of Peter. One constant has been Catholicism’s profound influence over Poland’s political, social, and cultural life.
Trade Review"No scholar outside of Poland can match Robert Alvis' broad erudition about Polish Catholic history. This book offers a comprehensive overview of the Church's millennium in northeastern Europe, reflecting the most up-to-date research on a wide range of topics. Alvis doesn't shy away from controversial issues, but his presentation is consistently balanced and fair. For those interested in the history of the Catholic Church, this book will fill a significant gap by explaining the distinct characteristics of Polish religiosity. Specialists in Polish history, meanwhile, will gain a much richer understanding of the role of Christianity in Poland's past, which turns out to be much more nuanced and complex than we typically imagine." -- -Brian Porter-Szucs University of Michigan "Perhaps more than any other nation, Poland has been influenced throughout its history by its relationship to the Roman Catholic Church. For over a millennium, Poles have defined themselves in great part as members of this church. White Eagle, Black Madonna is the first work in English to examine this important religious-national nexus from its beginnings to the present day. Profoundly researched and written in an engaging manner, this book deserves a broad readership." -- -Theodore Weeks Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations and Maps Preface A Timeline of Poland's Political and Ecclesiastical History 1 Baptized into Christendom (966-1138) 2 Chaos and Consolidation (1138-1333) 3 Baptized into Power (1333-1506) 4 The Promise and the Peril of Liberty (1506-1648) 5 Deluge and Illusions (1648-1764) 6 Reform, Romance, and Revolution (1764-1848) 7 The Gospel and National Greatness (1848-1914) 8 From Captivity to Cataclysm (1914-1945) 9 From Stalinism to Solidarity (1945-1989) 10 From Triumph to Turmoil ( after 1989) Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index
