Good books on Christian History?

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Does anyone know of any good books that I can read to study Christian History. John Henry Cardinal Newman wrote, “to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant.” What could I study in history to get a better appreciation of the Catholic Faith. What books are out there. I’m especially interested in those books that give an objective treatment of history in opposition to agenda-laden Protestant books that give bits and pieces of history. Other than writings that are exclusively the Fathers of the Church. I want an actual historical blow-by-blow sequence. Thanks!
 
For an upbeat, 500-page treatment, I would suggest H. W. Crocker III’s book, Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church—a 2,000 year history (Three Rivers Press, 2001)
 
The BEST series of books on Christian history that I have ever read, and I’ve read quite a few is by Warren H. Carrol. The first book of the series is called “The Founding of Christendom” and there are currently 3 more volumes after it, each covering a period of history. The wonderful thing about these books is that they almost read like a novel. Mr. Carrol has a real gift for writing history so it reads like a story. It also has many great references which will point you into so many other great directions for learning the faith. An absolute MUST read!

God Bless
 
Todd Easton:
For an upbeat, 500-page treatment, I would suggest H. W. Crocker III’s book, Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church—a 2,000 year history (Three Rivers Press, 2001)
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I’d second this. It is very readable, sometimes humorous, and available at most bookstores and some public libraries.
 
Another recommendation I’d like to make is A history of Christian Thought by Justo L. Gonzalez.

Three volumes.
 
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Hesychios:
Jaroslav Pelikan wrote a five volume set that is very good. 🙂
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The Pelikan series, published by Univ of Chicago Press, is one of the absolute best sets you could have. EXTENSIVELY footnoted and annotated. One bookseller has the entire set, softback, for about $94. WELL worth it! I very hgighly reccoment it!
 
Todd Easton:
For an upbeat, 500-page treatment, I would suggest H. W. Crocker III’s book, Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church—a 2,000 year history (Three Rivers Press, 2001)
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YESSS!!! I bought it a couple weeks ago and finished it in a week. The author is a convert from Anglicanism. This is an awesome book that covers both the high and low points of Catholic history. It made me proud of my Church and glad to be a Catholic.
 
Another vote for the 5 volume Pelikan series.

Classic books focusing on the early Church:
  1. Eusebius - History of the Church
  2. Henry Chadwick - The Early Church
 
Like everyone else, I’d like to plug Crooker’s book, “Triumph.” It’s informative, inspiring, funny in places, and I have to say I felt truely proud to be Catholic after reading it. I almost went out and bought a Papal flag to put out in front of my house after I finished it.
 
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gsaccone:
The BEST series of books on Christian history that I have ever read, and I’ve read quite a few is by Warren H. Carrol.
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Unfortunately, it looks like he will not finish the series. 😦 On the site that used to be called Petersnet, they used to have an index to notes he made while writing the books. I thought that was great, but they did not put it back up when they switched their site around. Does anyone know if that super resource will ever come back? BTW, I recommend the Carrol books.
 
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gsaccone:
The BEST series of books on Christian history that I have ever read, and I’ve read quite a few is by Warren H. Carrol. The first book of the series is called “The Founding of Christendom” and there are currently 3 more volumes after it, each covering a period of history. The wonderful thing about these books is that they almost read like a novel. Mr. Carrol has a real gift for writing history so it reads like a story. It also has many great references which will point you into so many other great directions for learning the faith. An absolute MUST read!

God Bless
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You are definitely right on these books.I read all 4 volumes and what I really like about Dr.Carroll is that he is very honest.The books contain all the history plus the warts.He holds back nothing.
 
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