Jésuites, tome 1: Les Conquérants

The book is written in a novel format with each chapter being a true story of Jesuits who represent the times. The author is very objective and while he praises the Jesuits throughout history, he also points out their flaws. The historical accounts and the social context of each puts a real face on the Society of Jesus. The reader comes to identify with and understands better why these men were both loved and feared, how they... Read Full Review

This book, which the author did not intend to make comprehensive, is the best general history of the jesuits I've read so far...it is fair in it's assessments of the society of jesus; and it aims to be fair...it does not intentionally aim for the sensational yet entertaining writing of Malachi Martin's book-this is more serious reading; the author approaches the lives of select Jesuits throughout history, starting with the... Read Full Review

What makes the Jesuits tick? No doubt the answer lies in the spirit of abnegation and service inculcated by the Spiritual Exercises, with the extraordinary sense of creative freedom that flows from it. Xavier, Ricci, Teilhard, the Jesuit martyrs in El Salvador, and many other of Lacouture's subjects enact this gospel paradox before our eyes in his vivid pages. Yet, with a slightly irritating Gallic coyness, Lacouture... Read Full Review

Uninfluenced by internal church politics and emotions, Jean Lacouture's book takes you on a most fascinating tour through one of the church most compelling histories. Objective but never moralistic, lengthy but never boring, Lacouture recreates the time and the very space in which the Jesuits emerged, oversaw and finally fell victim to their own success. The most comprehensive part, as far as I see it, is when the author... Read Full Review

I picked this book up because of a growing interest in the life of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (portrayed in "Jesuits"). I was hoping to get a 'fleshed out' story of his life and Order, and figured knowing _something_ about Jesuits would be a good place to start.What I didn't expect was a brilliant book, heavily researched and written like a novel. Lacouture is witty, engaging and provocative in his recounting of centuries... Read Full Review