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

By: Teofilo F. Ruiz, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Teofilo F. Ruiz

Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's 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

Listener Beware

These lectures are excellent source of knowledge about the nature religion and how religion can become hysteria. However, while Professor Ruiz is wonderfully knowledgeable he can at times be difficult to understand because of his accent. It took me a little bit time to get used to his pronunciation and speech pattern. But once I was accustom it was smooth sailing.

not what I expected

this lecture starts out with a lot of chapters about the church and the mystics, with some excursions to the Jewish faith. I am alright with a good basis for information, but this is too much. By the time we got to alchemy and witchcraft the whole tale had lost my interest completely. Regret buying it.

Teo Is one of my favorite lecturerson GreatCourses

This is a complicated course to review. The professor is one of my favorite lecturers on GreatCourses, and I enjoyed it immensely. However it’s a little hard to describe. It’s true that the last section does involve the persecution of witches. But the overall course is more about medieval and early modern times and how people reacted to the stresses and uncertainty. Professor Ruiz definitely has a left-leaning political perspective, but I enjoy hearing from different approaches. Someone contrasted this course with Professor Madden’s and I would say that I enjoy them both! If you read or listen to history to only get one perspective, you are missing out.

Professor Ruiz has a lovely speaking voice and the content is surprising enough that it’s worth listening to more than once.

everything you wanted.<br />

loved it. non bias. great scholar and narrator.
the professor adds his own enchanting atmosphere to the lectures.

The History that Led to the Witch Trails

This was another amazing lecture series. The professor presented it in a mostly unbiased way when religion and mysticism are discussed. The history covers a good portion of the progression of mystics and witches through the centuries.

Alright Overview

Probably should be titled in *Christian* Western tradition. A basic overview that glosses a lot.

ENCHANTING

Ruiz does a great job of pulling us in, helping us see the world both from the view of the victims of witch hunts as well as the perpetrators. He explains the cultural context which makes a huge difference and explains why many of these horrible scenarios play out the way they did. Best of all, he explains in great detail how to become a (medieval) witch.

it's ....ok

I struggled to get through the first few lectures. had to put it away and try again later.

Very good

Two lectures in I thought I had made a mistake. Four lectures in, I was glad I stuck it out.

Interesting, with an engaging lecturer

I'm a little forlorn that I've finished this series of lectures, to be completely honest. I'll definitely be listening to it again in the future, as I'm sure I'll pick up more information in a second round.