The Waldensian Story: A Study in Faith, Intolerance and Survival

Stephens, Prescot

ISBN 10: 1857762800 / ISBN 13: 9781857762808

Published by Lewes: The Book Guild Ltd, 1998

About this Item

Blue cloth with gold lettering to spine. Octavo. [xxi prelims] 375 pages. Numerous b&w photographs and maps within the text. Foreword by Giorgio Bouchard, a Waldensian Pastor. Signed and inscribed by the author on the title page: "For Barbara + Robin Solly / in token of our friendship / Prescot Stephens". Good in Good jacket. Page edges a bit tanned. Bookplate ("From the Library of Robin G. Solly") to the half-title page. Jacket has flared out along its top edge which also has some obvious creasing, particularly around the head of the spine.

Seller Inventory # 2288

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Waldensian Story: A Study in Faith, Intolerance and Survival
• Publisher: Lewes: The Book Guild Ltd
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1857762800
• ISBN 13: 9781857762808
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Good
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Signed Books

About this title

Synopsis

More than three centuries before the Reformation, Valdès, a rich merchant of Lyons, had a blinding light revelation and started a renewal movement within the medieval Church. He gave away his wealth, pioneered the translation of the Latin Bible into spoken languages and sent out men and women to preach in poverty. Though driven underground by persecution, his evangelical movement spread far across Europe. After joining the Reformation, the Waldenses were confined for nearly three hundred years to a tiny enclave in the western Alps. Twice they were driven almost to extinction, but survived to plant churches the length of unified Italy. In spite of bravely resisting nazi-fascist oppression, they were legally freed from restrictions only in 1984. Prescot Stephens' history is meticulously researched, fully annotated and illustrated with over 100 photographs, drawings and maps. This is a valuable historical work and a tribute to the determined faith of a Christian minority. It is a frank portrait of a community under pressure, reflecting the tension between hope and fear, between vision and reality, between the heavenly ideal and a violent world. It is a story to touch every Christian soul.

About the Author

Prescot Stephens was born in Canada in 1918, and the family returned to England when he was seven. The following year he went with his parents to the Waldensian Valleys of Piedmont, the first of many visits. He contacted Waldenses while serving in Italy during World War Two. Since then he has continued visiting, sometimes as a foreign delegate to the Synod. He was President of the English support group of the Waldensian Church. He has travelled extensively in researching this book. He passed away in 2012.