Beneath the Cross: Catholics and Huguenots in Sixteenth-Century Paris
"[T]his work immediately takes its place as the richest, most detailed study of the course of events within a single city during the early phases of the Wars of Religion....Diefendorf has explored to a particularly good narrative effect the unusually rich store of memoirs, journals, and letters available about Paris....[This] is the first book to which students now ought to be referred if they want to understand the causes and nature of religious violence in the years leading up to those fateful days."--Archive for Reformation History"The wider importance of the study lies in the conclusion that had it not been for the fierce Catholicism of the people of Paris, the Wars of Religion--so-called--would have taken a different course....The book adds a new dimension without claiming to supersede others."--The English Historical Review"Diefendorf has taken a step both bold and necessary in conducting and publishing serious research into confessional hatred and violence...This sensitive book broadens our understanding of a troubling subject; but it raises a host of comparative questions which need to be equally sensitively addressed."--French History"Combines careful documentation and rigorous analysis with a style of presentation that marks its author as a master storyteller....Embodies a rare combination of exacting scholarship nand compelling narrative."--Religious Studies Review"A brilliant, original interpretation of the French Religious Wars that should be required reading for all historians of sixteenth-century France....Bound to provide fresh ideas and material for future debate."--Sixteenth Century Journal"Wonderful book--the clearest and most persuasive that has been written on the massacre of St. Bartholomew's Night in Paris and its prelude.  Barbara Diefendorf's scholarship is impeccable.  She takes proper account of popular religious passions, while placing them in their social and political context."--J.H.M. Salmon, Bryn Mawr College"Wonderful addition to the historiography on the French wars. It holds one's attention throughout."--Joan L. Coffey, Sam Houston State University "Very interesting book.  I like her fresh approach to the religious and political crises of France from 1559 to 1572.  Her understanding of religious feeling and emotion as causation factors in historical crisis and change is a good antidote to economic determinism."--Col. James S. Wheeler, United States Military Academy"Well-argued and engagingly written scholarly account of events that reached a crisis in the infamous massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day.  This is a valuable work in itself as well as a model of good historical thinking drawing on the best techniques of the profession."--John M. Hirschfeld, St. Mary's College of Maryland"An excellent, well-balanced approach.  The narrative and analytical work well together."--Stephen Varvis, esno Pacific College"For some time I have been looking for a book to use in my Reformation Europe course that combines attention to Roman Catholics and second- or third-generation Protestantism with a full deployment of the 'new' social history.  The deeply researched and plausibly argued book by Professor Diefendorf may just be that book....A very fine piece of historical writing."--Mark Noll, Wheaton College