The English Soul

“The English Soul succeeds in demonstrating the immense literary and spiritual riches of the Christian tradition in England as embodied in its leading artists and thinkers… . It is a joy to survey the past with Ackroyd and to meet so many sensitive souls grappling with the most urgent questions of life and faith.”– “Christian Century”“Ackroyd is the master of the broad-sweep tour de force. In The English Soul he surveys the lives and faith of the most important figures in English Christianity, from the Venerable Bede to C.S. Lewis, exploring, along the way, the mysticism of Julian of Norwich and William Blake.”– “Tablet”“Ackroyd, a distinguished novelist and biographer, is a companionable guide. He writes with verve and clarity, and with a steady and unstrained command of a massive field of theological enquiry… . The English Soul is well crafted, with twenty-three chapters exploring different facets of religious experience.”– “Australian Book Review”“The English Soul is a book about the history, spirit and nature of English Christianity… . The book is excellent on several notes. Firstly, it vividly describes the huge array of figures in the history of English Christianity, not only well-known individuals but others who are less so–and how they were influenced. It is very well researched. Secondly there are many portraits and photographs of the most famous of those he discusses. This brings their characters to life. Thirdly it is written in a non-partisan way. The book is a brilliant history of the English Church and the people who built and are building it.”– “Arts Centre Group”“Ackroyd’s history of Christianity in England is a lively and detailed book… . In The English Soul, Ackroyd sets himself the task of capturing the ‘spirit and nature’ of English Christianity.”– “Daily Telegraph”“Ackroyd’s new book is about the evolution of Christianity in England, from the venerable Bede to Justin Welby. The book carries the title The English Soul, what he defines now as ‘a convenient shorthand for qualities which we don’t understand.’ As with all of Ackroyd’s books, you arrive at the end of this procession of mystics and evangelists, heretics and headbangers, briefly cleverer than when you began. His history takes in lives of a multitude of believers from Julian of Norwich, through John Donne and John Wesley, to GK Chesterton and CS Lewis, with numerous enjoyable diversions along the way.”– “Observer”“Anyone interested in the development of Christianity in England–and in the historical journey from which the Church of England emerged–will find much to engage with and reflect upon. Ackroyd has certainly provided an excellent ecclesiastical and theological tour d’horizon, full of well-drawn pen pictures of important divines, both conformist and non-conformist.”– “Arbuturian”“In the Western world today, Ackroyd is one of the finest writers of biography, history, and fiction. His most recent project turns attention to the field of religion, setting out to describe what he calls the ‘spirit and nature of English Christianity’ as it has developed over the past 1,400 years. The English Soul: Faith of a Nation offers an episodic and biographical account of books, individuals, and communities that have done most to shape this tradition. Consistent with Ackroyd’s gifts, the book crafts superb turns of phrase while approaching its subject with curiosity, generosity, and breadth… . It is provocative and sometimes baffling but also shrewd, carefully observed, and at its best, brilliant.”– “Christianity Today”

Peter Ackroyd is one of Britain’s most respected historians and novelists. His many books include London: The Biography, Hawksmoor, and the bestselling History of England series.