Book Description
In this study, the author is dealing with one matter only, but a matter of supreme importance, and one which the bulk of our contemporaries have allowed to fall into the background or have even ignored. It is by far the greatest consideration attaching to that very great name, Richelieu. It is the permanent deflection of Europe from his time to ours, into a state which leaves Christians divided doubly: which has broken Christendom into a mosaic of nationalities: which has erected the worship of nationality into a religion usurping the ancient religion whereby Europe came to be: and which has left a line of cleavage between the Catholic and the Protestant culture which has become a gulf increasing before our eyes. Illustrated.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A biography of Cardinal Richelieu of France-considered by many to be the founder of modern Europe-this book does not seek to make Richelieu a figure either of irrational worship or irrational hate. Belloc impartially examines Richelieu's life and career, delves into his Catholic and family roots, and pinpoints their relevance to the development of his character, his thought, and his political and religious policy.