The Great Heresies is possibly the greatest book written by the famous Catholic historian Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953). Calling upon his vast knowledge of history, Belloc outlines in simple terms the meaning and influence of five of the greatest heresies against the Catholic Church: Arianism, Mohammedanism (Islam), Albigensianism, Protestantism and the "Modern Attack." He conjectures that these five attacks contain all the principal thrusts against the Church that are possible. He discusses in full the impact of each of these attacks upon Catholic orthodoxy-showing how the world would have been vastly different had Arianism or Albigensianism survived, and how it is vastly different because Protestantism has survived. Writing in 1938, he gave two solid historical reasons for the rapid re-emergence of Islam. But most importantly, he analyzes the "Modern Attack" (which he equates with "Anti-Christ"), showing how this heresy, though remaining largely nameless, represents the worst threat ever to the Catholic Church because it is waging a fight to the death-in which the enemies of God and His Holy Religion intend to leave no influence of the Church intact, in any area of man's life. The Great Heresies is a precisely worded, profoundly insightful book that will reward the reader with an accurate appreciation for the direction of history-as we are living it today.
