Sacred Causes: Religion and Politics from the European Dictators to Al Qaeda: Pt. II - Rilegato

‘This is an even better book than the author's erudite, dense sprawling triumph of last year, “Earthly Powers”...[“Sacred Causes”] benefits from a continual drip feed of very dry and very black humour...There is still Burleigh's great gift, the mark of the very best historians, to wring meaning and significance from those most arcane footnotes in history, stuff which others might designate mere ephemera...History is rarely rendered in such thrilling breadth, with such wit or with such terrible topicality.’ Rod Liddle, Spectator

‘Michael Burleigh forged a formidable reputation as a historian of Germany and consolidated it with “Earthly Powers”...“Sacred Causes” takes the story up to the present day. Its first half addresses in masterly fashion the relationship between the churches and the totalitarians...impressive...formidable...his book deserves the widest possible readership.’ Sunday Times

‘It is this that makes “Sacred Causes” so valuable: the tiny details that might be written off as mere human interest but that over and again reveal a subhuman sump of murderous impiety.’ New Statesman

‘Michael Burleigh is a man of formidable erudition and remarkable percipience...Burleigh last year published “Earthly Powers”...“Sacred Causes” brings the story up to the present date...Burleigh has, if anything, surpassed his earlier achievement...Burleigh's book is epic in its range...refreshingly unjudgemental...compelling...outstanding...this brilliant book proves that history has no end.’ Literary Review

‘This work should be read by everyone...Burleigh is one of our brightest historical stars – his massive erudition and passionate moral sense tempered with merciless wit. Beautifully written, fearlessly outspoken, full of superb portraits of heroes and monsters, “Sacred Causes” is an exuberant tour-de force.’ Evening Standard

‘Compelling...hugely ambitious...Burleigh is a writer who pulls no punches and seldom leaves a difficult question unasked.’ Sunday Telegraph

‘This is an even better book than...“Earthly Powers”...terrific and very funny...history is rarely rendered in such thrilling breadth, with such wit or with such terrible topicality.’ The Spectator

‘Splendid...magnificent...few historians would be able to cover such enormous tracts of ground so convincingly, but Burleigh also leavens his narrative with hefty chunks of opinion, wit and sheer mischief that make it a pleasure to read...a terrifically entertaining book.’ Daily Telegraph

‘In years to come, Michael Burleigh's two-volume study of secular hubris since the French Revolution may well be judged to be the most significant work of history published this decade...Burleigh is a fine and contentious writer and a hugely accomplished historian’ The Observer

‘“Sacred Causes” is a challenging history book with the power to scandalise its readers...Michael Burleigh is a trenchant, conservative historian who does not waste or mince words. His sharp judgements...bring alive his extensive research...for those who think that the Christian religion provides only footnotes to the history of the 20th century...this book is an important corrective.’ Financial Times

‘A brilliant account of the sinister fusion of religion and politics...frank and never afraid to ruffle any feathers...a powerful indictment of our uneasy times.’ J.G.Ballard

Michael Burleigh is Distinguished Research Professor in Modern History at Cardiff University. He is the author of seven well-received books, including ‘Earthly Powers’ and ‘The Third Reich’, for which he was awarded the Samuel Johnson Prize in 2001.