The Jesuits

"The Jesuits are a unique phenomenon of history -- a transnational, world-wide organization, rising from humble origins four centuries ago, enduring persecution, to become influential in universities and courts throughout the world, counseling rulers and even negotiating treaties. The fascinating story of their success -- and their failures -- brilliantly told in full in this book, involves the whole of modern history. The reader will find himself not only involved in theology, but caught up as well in politics, philosophy, science and literature." [Back cover].