The fourth of a projected six volumes of Dr. Warren H. Carroll's fully documented history of Christendom is primarily concerned with the split in Christendom created by the Protestant revolt of Martin Luther and his followers, and consequently is entitled The Cleaving of Christendom. It covers in detail the years between the emergence of Luther as a major figure and the beginning of the personal reign of Louis XIV in France in 1661, with separate discussions of the missionary efforts and accomplishments of the Church in America and the Orient during these years. It explores in depth how the great divisions of Christendom came about.

As did earlier volumes of this sweeping series, The Cleaving of Christendom reflects an unabashedly Christian and Catholic view of history, centering on the Popes and their leadership of the Church as the common theme and connecting thread in the history of every Christian country—all of which are covered at least in significant part. Dr. Carroll holds that God and individual men and women, not impersonal social and economic "forces," make history. The characters and actions of these history-makers, both good and evil, are vividly depicted as essential elements in the triumphs and tragedies of the following of Christ by the people of Christian Europe for over a hundred years (1517-1661).

Both a gripping, dramatic narrative and an indispensable work of reference for Christian History, this volume and the entire series of which it is a part belong in the library of every serious Catholic who desires to understand the work that Christ has done in the world through His Church and His faithful people.