Most Popular Books by Jeffrey Burton

This lively and learned book traces the history of the concept of evil and its personification as the Devil from ancient times to the period of the New Testament and across cultures and civilizations.

Describes the medieval concept of the devil, discusses witchcraft and devil folklore, and examines the depiction of evil in art and literature of the period.

Originally published: Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, c1981.

From the Preface: This book is intended as an investigation of the civilization of western Europe from the third to the fifteenth centuries. It presents not only the results, but some of the important problems, of contemporary scholarship in medieval history. It follows a topical treatment of economic, social, political, and cultural history within a chronological framework. Rather than trying to achieve consistently detailed coverage of every aspect of medieval civilization, I have concentrated upon individual or collective examples of important ideas, attitudes, institutions, or events. Discussions of the sources appear in each chapter, and the sources are quoted frequently in the body of the text in order to permit the reader to feel, as well as intellectually to grasp, the nature of medieval life. Pictures and maps are integrated with the text as illustrations of the topics discussed.

Dissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages explores the complex relationship between orthodoxy and heresy, focusing on the ways in which dissent shaped the religious and intellectual landscape of medieval Europe. The book examines key moments in the early Middle Ages, such as the trial and execution of Ramihrd in 1077, to demonstrate the brutal repression faced by those who deviated from accepted Catholic teachings. By tracing the motivations behind dissent, whether rooted in reform, moral critique, or intellectual independence, the author sheds light on how both heretics and the Church viewed the tensions between right belief and right conduct. Dissenters, despite often facing violent repression, were frequently driven by a deep moral or spiritual commitment, challenging the orthodoxy that sought to maintain control over religious thought and practice. This study offers a historical perspective on how dissent was not only an opposition to Church authority but also an integral part of the medieval intellectual and social fabric. The book also delves into the different types of dissent that emerged during this period, such as Reformists, Eccentrics, and Catharists, each of whom presented alternative theological or moral viewpoints that threatened the Church’s established doctrines. The term heretic is interrogated within the historical and political context of the time, as dissent was often seen as a moral or social threat rather than purely a theological deviation. By identifying the various movements of dissent and reform, the study connects these figures and their beliefs to broader changes in medieval thought and society, highlighting the ways in which nonconformity both challenged and contributed to the development of Christian doctrine. Through this lens, the book examines the intersection of faith, power, and intellectual inquiry in shaping medieval Christianity, offering insight into the pivotal role that dissent played in the evolution of Western religious and cultural history. This title is part of UC Press''s Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1965.

An excellent and important intellectual history.?Library Journal Using examples from theology, philosophy, art, literature, and popular culture, Russell describes the great changes effected in our idea of the Devil by the intellectual and cultural developments of modern times. Mephistopheles is the fourth and final volume of Jeffrey Burton Russell''s critically acclaimed history of the concept of the Devil. The series constitutes the most complete historical study ever made of the figure called the second most famous personage in Christianity. In the first three volumes, the author brought the history of Christian diabology to the end of the Middle Ages. This volume continues the story from the Reformation to the present, tracing the fragmentation of the tradition.

All the known theories and incidents of witchcraft in Western Europe from the fifth to the fifteenth century are brilliantly set forth in this engaging and comprehensive history. Building on a foundation of newly discovered primary sources and recent secondary interpretations, Jeffrey Burton Russell first establishes the facts and then explains the phenomenon of witchcraft in terms of its social and religious environment, particularly in relation to medieval heresies. Russell treats European witchcraft as a product of Christianity, grounded in heresy more than in the magic and sorcery that have existed in other societies. Skillfully blending narration with analysis, he shows how social and religious changes nourished the spread of witchcraft until large portions of medieval Europe were in its grip, "from the most illiterate peasant to the most skilled philosopher or scientist." A significant chapter in the history of ideas and their repression is illuminated by this book. Our enduring fascination with the occult gives the author''s affirmation that witchcraft arises at times and in areas afflicted with social tensions a special quality of immediacy.

"Inventing the Flat Earth...is a jewel of a book that provides important new insights into the way historians have interpreted Columbus''s achievement." The New York Times Book Review Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Renowned historian, Jeffrey Burton Russell, famous for his studies of medieval history, sets the record straight against the New Atheists and other cultural critics who charge Christianity with being outdated, destructive, superstitious, unenlightened, racist, colonialist, based on fabrication, and other significant false accusations.

The Devil, Satan, Lucifer, Mephistopheles - throughout history the Prince of Darkness, the Western world''s most powerful symbol of evil, has taken many names and shapes. Jeffrey Burton Russell here chronicles the remarkable story of the Devil from antiquity to the present. While recounting how past generations have personified evil, he deepens our understanding of the ways in which people have dealt with the enduring problem of radical evil.After a compelling essay on the nature of evil, Russell uncovers the origins of the concept of the Devil in various early cultures and then traces its evolution in Western thought from the time of the ancient Hebrews through the first centuries of the Christian era. Next he turns to the medieval view of the Devil, focusing on images found in folklore, scholastic thought, art, literature, mysticism, and witchcraft. Finally, he follows the Devil into our own era, where he draws on examples from theology, philosophy, art, literature, and popular culture to describe the great changes in this traditional notion of evil brought about by the intellectual and cultural developments of modern times.Is the Devil an outmoded superstition, as most educated people today believe? Or do the horrors of the twentieth century and the specter of nuclear war make all too clear the continuing need for some vital symbol of radical evil? A single-volume distillation of Russell''s epic tetralogy on the nature and personifcation of evil from ancient times to the present (published by Cornell University Press between 1977 and 1986), The Prince of Darkness invites readers to confront these and other critical questions as they explore the past faces of that figure who has been called the second most famous personage in Christianity.

A fun and playful back-to-school twist on the popular nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”! The itsy bitsy school bus was ready for the day. Backpack was full with lunch and books, hooray! Dropped off at school, it was time to learn and play, The teacher said, “Hello, nice to meet you all today.” The itsy bitsy school bus is ready for the first day of school! Whether it’s a first day to Pre-K or back-to-school, little ones are sure to love this classroom twist on the classic nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”!

From the author of the beloved Itsy Bitsy board book series comes a construction site adventure all about construction vehicles. An action-packed yet adorable story, The Wheels on the Dump Truck is the third book in a new series that is perfect for parents and little ones who love things that go. Follow dump trucks, bulldozers, excavators, and more as cute animal workers build, build, build!

This sparkling mermaid board book is a magical ocean twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!” Twinkle, Twinkle, Mermaid Blue How the ocean sways with you A charming mermaid twist on the popular bedtime nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Mermaid Blue is the sixth board book in the Twinkle, Twinkle series that’s perfect for parents and little ones to snuggle up and share.

This sparkling fairy board book is a magical twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!” Twinkle, twinkle, fairy friend, Let’s go out and play pretend. Shimmer wings that fly so high. Sparkle magic in the sky. A magical twist on the popular bedtime nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Fairy Friend is the third board book in a series that is perfect for parents and little ones to snuggle up with and share.

This shiny board book is a magical twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!” Twinkle, twinkle, unicorn, sparkle with your magic horn. Leaping over clouds so high, like a diamond in the sky. A magical twist on the popular bedtime nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Unicorn is the first book in a brand-new board book series that’s perfect for parents and little ones to snuggle up with and share.

A fun and playful springtime twist on the popular nursery rhyme “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”! The itsy bitsy duckling swam in the waterway. Down came the rain and chased the snow away. Out came the sun as birds began to sing. The cold winter was over. At long last it was spring! The itsy bitsy duckling is ready for springtime as the other animals wake up from their long winter naps.

This sparkling shark-tastic board book is a deep-sea twist on the popular bedtime lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!” Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Shark Swimming deep down in the dark An adventurous twist on the popular bedtime nursery rhyme, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Shark is the fifth board book in the Twinkle, Twinkle series that’s perfect for parents and little ones to snuggle up and share.

The study of the conflict between religious orthodoxy and heresy in the Middle Ages has long been a controversial field. Though the sectarian differences of the past have faded in intensity, the varieties of academic correctness that today inform historical studies are equally likely to give rise to a number of interpretations, sometimes providing more information about the sympathies of contemporary historians than the beliefs, feelings, and actions of Medieval people. In this book, Jeffrey Burton Russell provides a fresh overview of the subject from the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) to the eve of the Protestant Reformation. The fruit of many years of thought and scholarship, ''Dissent and Order in the Middle Ages'' is a concise introduction to the full range of religious and social phenomena encompassed by the book''s title. While tracing the intellectual battles that raged between the champions of orthodoxy and the partisans of dissent, Russell grounds these conflicts, which often seem rather recondite to the modern reader, in the evolving social context of Medieval Europe. In addition to discussing conflicts within Christianity, Russell sheds new light on such vexing topics as the origin of anti-Semitism and the persecution of alleged witches. More than just an overview, Russell''s study is also an original interpretation of a complex subject. Russell sees the conflict between dissent and order not as a war of binary opposites, but rather as an ongoing dialectic, a creative tension that, despite the excesses it entailed on both sides, was essential to the development of Christianity. Without this creative tension, Russell argues, Christianity might well have stagnated and possibly died. Dissent and order, then, are perhaps best seen as symbiotically joined aspects of a single living, healthy organism. ''Dissent and Order in the Middle Ages'' will appeal to, and challenge, all readers interested in European history, from beginning students to seasoned scholars, as well as those concerned with Christianity''s past - and future.

Using rhyming text and computer technology references, animals express their love for their children.