Longing for the End: A History of Millennialism in Western Civilization by Frederic J. Baumgartner
Clarke Garrett
300BOOK REVIEWS Elizabeth of Hungary, and Josaphat Kuncewycz). As might be expected from a European author who spent much his priestly life in Brazil, there is also deep concern with "missionary" saints (for example, addition to several mentioned above,Ansgar, Rose Lima, IsaacJogues, Charles Lwanga). Founders religious orders are well represented: complementing Francis, Dominic, Ignatius Cajaten, Angela Merici, Antony Zacearía, Camillus Lellis, Joseph Calasanz. If any national tradition surprisingly highlighted, it the English, such as Bede, Anselm Canterbury, John Fisher, Thomas More included alongside Boniface Becket. The representation female disappointingly small, numbering less that thirty entries. Some whole categories, Merovingian Carolingian kingdoms, entirely absent. There certainly spiritual political agenda at work here. This book obviously inspired by author's love admiration for subjects. not reference academic use, but rather pious devotion. Footnotes or other references, than quotations which head each entry, rare. Bibliography further reading completely lacking. entries themselves seem summation works product primary sources. publishing house, Città Nouva, intends this complement Bibliotheca Sanctorum (Rome, 1961-1969), they have published. It is, however, popular companion to, scholarly summary vast useful encyclopedia. English readers will better served reliable Donald Attwater's Penguin Dictionary Saints (1965) David Farmer's Oxford ofSaints (revised edition, 1992). Head Hunter College Graduate Center City University ofNew York Longingfor End: A History ofMillennialism Western Civilization. By Frederic J. Baumgartner. (New York: St. Martin's Press. 1999. Pp. xi, 286. $26.95.) Baumgartner has taken on daunting task examining millennial ideas their biblical origins present, fewer 300 pages. To considerable degree, he succeeded presenting coherent informative survey. He makes no claims original research, relying limited chosen bibliography historians. two monographs sixteenth-century France, says preface decision write came seminar offered seniors (unnamed) college, presumablyVirginia Tech Blacksburg. While never intrusive, throughout Catholic BOOK REVIEWS301 perspective millennialism. affords some insights, since millennialism been predominantly Protestant phenomenon. After glossary arcane terminology believers , introduces topic emphasizing tendency those form into cults. theme, although tends overstate millennialists resort violence . follows first chapters clear presentation evolution Millennium Bible through important manifestations Roman Empire Middle Ages. His would benefited, utilization Norman Cohn's Pursuit Millennium, whose theme virtually identical Baumgartner's while questionable its conclusions, rich evocation broader historical context. chapter "Millennialism New World" succeeds difficult connecting Indian Spanish notions place America great scheme Puritan thinkers like Mathers Jonathan Edwards. Less successful eighteenth nineteenth centuries. They arbitrarily organized, so discussion Utopian French Enlightenment leads directly survey century successors,with little effort show transforming effect Industrial revolutions had upon process. In preface. recalls child visiting site Marian apparitions in...
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