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The Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition cover art

The Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition

By: Teofilo F. Ruiz, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Teofilo F. Ruiz
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Summary

Western civilization is closely associated with reason and science, and with exceptional accomplishments in art, architecture, music, and literature.Yet it has also been characterized by widespread belief in the supernatural and the irrational - with mystics who have visions of the divine and entire movements of people who wait in fervent anticipation of the apocalypse.

Moreover, Western culture has also been the setting for repeated acts of barbaric reaction to those beliefs, including persecutions of certain groups, such as Jews, or of people accused as heretics and witches.

This series of 24 intriguing lectures explores the concept of what has been called the "terror of history," a deeply held ancient belief that human beings live constantly on the edge of doom- a doom against which we must protect ourselves, sometimes by scapegoating an "other" whom we blame for this catastrophic plight.

The lectures explore this belief through a study of mysticism, heresy, apocalyptic movements, and the witch-hunting craze that bloomed in Europe from 1000 to 1700. You'll examine sources you may be unfamiliar with, learn to think in new ways, and gain a fresh perspective on how social, economic, political, and religious climates - especially during times of change and stress - exert tremendous influence on the prevalence of irrational attitudes and persecutions.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2002 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2002 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition

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  • mr
  • 06-12-14

At best, okay.

You get this book for an interesting sensational story and you barely get it. A lot on mystiques, this could had been summarised in one lecture.

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3 people found this helpful

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History of Terror review T Kirkland

This book was great Professor Ruiz is so well informed and interesting to listen to, his accent was sometimes difficult to understand but that didn't stop the book from being a great listen. I really feel like I've learned something!

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Slow start but stick with it.

I struggled a bit at the beginning with this whilst the background / context was being explained but the second half of the series is excellent. The Prof seems like a nice chap too. It was a bit like listening to a really long post match interview with Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

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1 person found this helpful

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Pompous and empty

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The topic is interesting but the professor killed it. There is no salvaging this one. To be fair, I stopped listening after the Mysticism section so maybe it gets better, but I couldn't go on anymore.

Would you ever listen to anything by The Great Courses again?

Maybe, the course titles are always intriguing but but so far I've heard only two duds. It seems like they deliver pretty dumbed-down stuff, based on what I've listened to so far.

Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Teofilo F. Ruiz’s performances?

No way

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition?

Too much blather and empty new-agey stuff. I wanted more specifics, history and real info.

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Ambitious in scope..

this is such a tour de force of exploration of historical/sociological/religious trends which took place over many centuries. It’s demanding at first, but the initial lectures are important in understanding what follows. I found it very thought provoking, and the professor’s accent very charming!

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Very interesting and lovely to listen to

This was a very interesting lens to take a survey of European history through, well structured and interesting- and a lovely voice to listen to.

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Amazing

I would love to study this with Teofilo F. Ruiz in an actual class. His knowledge is vast and his style engaging, it's been an absolute pleasure.

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Light opinionated history

I went to this lectures to learn what about "The terrors of History" and although I admit personal opinions on the subjects are important to set the tone, I ended the lectures less scantly informed on the subjects and more informed on Professor Ruiz opinion, and what I should believe on them.

For example for the Salem trials Ruiz assumed the history was already familiar to the listener and skimmed the facts to dive into the buts and whys.

In the end I got the impression that Professor Ruiz was afraid that dabbling in history would create any form of heresy, so his duty as professor was to gather the sheep with his formulaic mantra.

Requires more history and less professor.

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A Billiant lecture series from Great Courses

Professor Ruiz successfully brings together his significant knowledge with great energetic power and gripping delivery.

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Excellent series of lecturers

Not what I expected but so much better as someone who is constantly trying to expand my knowledge this is perfect, I even used information from this today in class as a way to explain a point. Dr. Ruiz is on point and knows his stuff.

Did I understand everything?No

Did I enjoy it? Yes

Will I listen to it again? Definitely

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