Description
David Nash's new study focuses on the development of blasphemy in the Christian world. Tracing the subject from the Middle Ages to the present, he outlines the history of blasphemy as a concept, from a species of heresy to modern understandings of it as a crime against the sacred and individual religious identity. Investigating its appearance in speech, literature, popular publishing and the cinema, he disinters the likely motives and agendas of blasphemers themselves, as well as offering a glimpse of blasphemy's victims. In particular, he seeks to understand why this seemingly medieval offence has reappeared to become a distinctly modern presence in the West.
About the Author
David Nash is Reader in History at Oxford Brookes University. He has previously published on the secular and republican movements in England, specialising in the history of blasphemy, and appearing extensively in the media both Britain and America to speak on this subject. He has held visiting professorships in Utrecht and Buffalo, and is a permanent Visiting Research Fellow of the Center for Inquiry (Amherst, New York). In 2003 he was invited to give both verbal and written evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on religious offences.
Reviews
Blasphemy in the Christian World offers additional persuasive evidence for religion's continued relevance by showing how the rediscovery of seemingly archaic blasphemy laws in Europe and the Americas challenges cherished ... legal traditions of free speech and expression * Gregory Halfond, The Historian *
Nash's book...represents the definitive reference volume for the history of blasphemy in the West. * Elizabeth Horodowich The English Historical ReviewElizabeth Horodowich, Historical Journal *
Dr Nash's study offers a comparative and critical analysis of his subject on draws on a considerable range of evidence. * G. M Ditchfield, History *
[An] impressive book... a rewarding work of history. * Jonathan Wright, Catholic Herald *
The book is lucid and with both depth and width. * Jim Herrick, The Freethinker *
discursive and thought-provoking book * Jonathan Sumption, Literary Review *
[An] incisive and erudite study... * The Universe *
an important and scholarly analysis of an issue that is not going to go away * Dr Bradley, Church Times *
David Nash is the world's foremost commentator on the history of blasphemy. This astute, readable survey of the illuminating ironies of the subject deserves to become a classic. He ably and colourfully demonstrates the cynical and sincere use made of the notion of blasphemy by the very bad and the well-meaning. He points up the crucial political lessons to be learned, but never rams them down the reader's throat. This book will fascinate all interested in the uneasy relationship between state authority and individual freedom. * Charles Foster, Contemporary Review *
Book Information
ISBN 9780199255160
Author David Nash
Format Hardback
Page Count 286
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 160mm * 15mm
About the Author
David Nash is Reader in History at Oxford Brookes University. He has previously published on the secular and republican movements in England, specialising in the history of blasphemy, and appearing extensively in the media both Britain and America to speak on this subject. He has held visiting professorships in Utrecht and Buffalo, and is a permanent Visiting Research Fellow of the Center for Inquiry (Amherst, New York). In 2003 he was invited to give both verbal and written evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on religious offences.
Reviews
Blasphemy in the Christian World offers additional persuasive evidence for religion's continued relevance by showing how the rediscovery of seemingly archaic blasphemy laws in Europe and the Americas challenges cherished ... legal traditions of free speech and expression * Gregory Halfond, The Historian *
Nash's book...represents the definitive reference volume for the history of blasphemy in the West. * Elizabeth Horodowich The English Historical ReviewElizabeth Horodowich, Historical Journal *
Dr Nash's study offers a comparative and critical analysis of his subject on draws on a considerable range of evidence. * G. M Ditchfield, History *
[An] impressive book... a rewarding work of history. * Jonathan Wright, Catholic Herald *
The book is lucid and with both depth and width. * Jim Herrick, The Freethinker *
discursive and thought-provoking book * Jonathan Sumption, Literary Review *
[An] incisive and erudite study... * The Universe *
an important and scholarly analysis of an issue that is not going to go away * Dr Bradley, Church Times *
David Nash is the world's foremost commentator on the history of blasphemy. This astute, readable survey of the illuminating ironies of the subject deserves to become a classic. He ably and colourfully demonstrates the cynical and sincere use made of the notion of blasphemy by the very bad and the well-meaning. He points up the crucial political lessons to be learned, but never rams them down the reader's throat. This book will fascinate all interested in the uneasy relationship between state authority and individual freedom. * Charles Foster, Contemporary Review *
Book Information
ISBN 9780199255160
Author David Nash
Format Hardback
Page Count 286
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 160mm * 15mm
