Overview
The second half of the twentieth century was a turbulent time for the Church of England. This book offers the first comprehensive historical picture to be published of its life and work during the period, tracing the development of the church in a period of immense upheaval. It provides a detailed portrait not only of the work of its archbishops and bishops, but within its relationship with the State, across its central institutions and in the lives of communities throughout the country. It places the church in its social context, exploring the realities of domestic and international migration, multi-culturalism and secularization and tracing the various strains of parochial reform which arose in response, while other sections focus on the administration of property, particularly bishops' houses and the work of the cathedrals. Finally, the book examines recent crises which are still the subject of argument, not least the financial speculations of the late 1980s and early 1990s, which were alleged to have 'lost' GBP800 million. From this followed controversies which remain powerful: about the reform of the Church of England itself and the nature of its relationship with the state.
Full Product Details
Author: Andrew Chandler
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd
Imprint: The Boydell Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.60cm
, Height: 3.50cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 1.000kg
ISBN: 9781843831655
ISBN 10: 1843831651
Pages: 558
Publication Date: 16 November 2006
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
This well-written book offers a fresh approach to the often troubled history of the Church of England in the later half of the twentieth century. (...) In its lucid organization and patient engagement with detail, the book deserves comparison with the best institutional histories of the last fifty years. (...)This work adds enormously to understanding an important British institution undergoing an historic transition. H-NET BOOK REVIEWThis beautifully crafted academic tome. SUNDAY TIMES
A fascinating study rooted in extensive archival research. CHURCH HISTORY Quite the most important book to have appeared on the recent history of the Church of England in many years. (...) A definitive piece of work which will not need to be done again, and will be a goldmine to any student pursuing the comparative history of establishments. CONTEMPORARY CHURCH HISTORY A very complete and comprehensive history. (...) A must-have for history and religion collections. LIBRARY BOOKWATCH The story is complex, at times dramatic, and full of intriguing surprises. Chandler's style is incisive. His judgments are eminently fair. And he manages to keep his balance and not be overwhelmed by the amount of detail. This is not a book for beginners. A knowledge of the Church of England's structures is required. Chandler's masterly account of the fifty years of the Church Commissioners pays tribute to their successes as well as acknowledging their shortcomings. His assessments are eminently fair, all the more because he recognizes that the historian's duty is not to become overwhelmed by the weight of archival records. This study will certainly stand the test of time. It will not need to be done again. The clarity of Chandler's descriptions, and the generosity of his sentiments are significant contributions to the book's merits. Above all, he makes the intricacies of the Church of England's internal affairs available to the wider audience. This is no small feat, and it is one for which we can be most grateful. ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH HISTORIANS A beautifully written, elegantly constructed narrative sensitively describing the dedicated attempts of generations of bureaucrats to tackle a bewilderingly complex task in a liberal and humane manner. ARCHIVESThe best kind of narrative history. BAPTIST QUARTERLYThis well-written book offers a fresh approach to the often troubled history of the Church of England in the later half of the twentieth century. (...) In its lucid organization and patient engagement with detail, the book deserves comparison with the best institutional histories of the last fifty years. (...)This work adds enormously to understanding an important British institution undergoing an historic transition. H-NET BOOK REVIEWThis beautifully crafted academic tome. SUNDAY TIMES
Author Information
Andrew Chandler is Director of the George Bell Institute and Reader in Modern History at the University of Chichester.
