Catholicism: A Complete Introduction: Teach Yourself - Couverture souple

On the world stage, Catholicism is the largest of the branches of Christianity with over 1.2 billion followers. How has the Catholic Church's message reached into every corner of the globe, and what challenges does it face now and in the future?

Catholicism: A Complete Introduction is a thorough and structured overview of the subject, covering the basics of the faith, the history of Catholicism, the role of the papacy, and teachings and traditions within the Church. It includes topics as diverse as the role of women in the Catholic Church, the celebrity of the Pope, and how 2000-year-old Church traditions still shape what it is to be a Catholic in the 21st century. This edition also examines the "Francis effect", the extraordinary global impact of the election of Pope Francis in 2013, and shift his arrival has caused both within and outside the Church. Broken down into easy-to-read parts, it includes insights, topic summaries and case studies to encourage further study and reflection.

Whether you are preparing for an essay, studying for an exam or simply want to expand your knowledge, Catholicism: A Complete Introduction is your essential guide.

'A readable and important book of reference' Rachel Billington, Novelist

'Packed with information... it is a most engaging read' Edward Stourton, Broadcaster

Peter Stanford is writer, journalist and broadcaster. A former editor of the Catholic Herald, he is a features writer at the Daily and Sunday Telegraph titles, and contributes to the Independent, the Observer and the Catholic weekly, the Tablet, where he is a columnist. He has presented programmes on BBC 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5, as well as BBC Radios 2 and 4 and the BBC World Service. His books include Judas: The Troubling History of the Renegade Apostle; The Devil: A Biography; Heaven: A Travellers' Guide; and The She-Pope.

Written by a leading journalist, broadcaster and former editor of the Catholic Herald, Catholicism: A Complete Introduction is designed to give you everything you need to succeed in your studies, all in one place. It covers the key themes and topics that you are expected to understand, outlining the basics in clear jargon-free English, and then providing added-value features like key ideas, quotations, and even lists of questions you might be asked in your seminar or exam.

Each of the four parts in the book covers a key introductory area, so by the end of the book you'll have a clear understanding of the essential tenets. Starting with the basics, and then exploring the history of Catholicism, the tenets of Papacy and Authority and also the Church in the Modern World, it is a comprehensive account of Catholic doctrine, faith and history. This new edition also considers the impact of the election of Pope Francis and the shift that his era is creating.

'Teach Yourself' titles employ the 'Breakthrough method', which is designed specifically to overcome problems that students face.

- Problem: "I find it difficult to remember what I've read."; Solution: this book includes end-of-chapter summaries and questions to test your understanding.
- Problem: "Most books mention important other sources, but I can never find them in time."; Solution: this book includes fully referenced quotes ready to use in your essay or exam, and each chapter lists further suggested readings for each topic.
- Problem: "Lots of introductory books turn out to cover totally different topics than my course."; Solution: this book is written by a current university lecturer who understands what students are expected to know.