The Reformation was published by Simon & Schuster in 1957. The sixth volume covered the period from John Wycliffe (fourteenth century) through the Peace of Westphalia (1648), encompassing the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Wars of Religion, and the social and intellectual transformations that accompanied the fracturing of Western Christendom.
Durant’s treatment was notable for its even-handedness. As an agnostic married to a woman of Jewish descent, he had no confessional stake in the Protestant-Catholic conflict and could assess both sides with something approaching objectivity. His Luther is neither a hero of liberty nor a demagogue but a complex, contradictory figure driven by genuine religious anguish and genuine authoritarianism.
First edition (Simon & Schuster, New York, 1957): Cloth binding with dust jacket.
Market values:
- Fine in dust jacket: $40–$100
- Very good: $15–$40
Projected values (2026–2036): Moderate appreciation.
The Great Schism
The Reformation (1957) is Volume VI, covering European history from 1300 to 1564 — the era of Luther, Calvin, Erasmus, Henry VIII, and the Counter-Reformation. Durant treats the Reformation not just as a religious event but as a social, political, and economic transformation that reshaped Europe. His portrait of Martin Luther is particularly nuanced: Durant admires Luther’s courage while recognizing his authoritarianism and antisemitism. This volume and The Renaissance overlap chronologically, covering the same era from different perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a religious history? It is a history of civilization in which religion plays a central role. Durant examines the Reformation’s impact on politics, economics, art, science, and daily life, not just theology. His approach is humanistic rather than doctrinal.