From peasants to princes, no one was left untouched by the spiritual and intellectual upheaval of the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe. Martin Luther's challenge to church authority forced Christians to examine their beliefs in ways that shook the foundations of their religion. The subsequent divisions, fed by dynastic rivalries and military changes, fundamentally altered the relations between ruler and ruled.

Christendom Destroyed tells the fascinating story of these seismic changes. The most recent addition to the landmark Penguin History of Europe series, the book is a rich tapestry that fosters a deeper understanding of Europe's identity today.