“Heretics and Heroes” at Bjorklunden

From Sept. 13 – 18, Lawrence University’s Björklunden is offering the seminar “Heretics and Heroes” with Dan Taylor.

Thomas Cahill’s Heretics and Heroes: How Renaissance Artists and Reformation Priests Created Our World is another compelling work of history that reads like a novel, and another magnificently illustrated volume in his highly acclaimed Hinges of History series. When analyzing well-known and readily recognizable Renaissance masterpieces and Reformation portraits, Cahill’s eye for artistic expression yields many “I-didn’t-notice-that-before” moments, and the 32 pages of full-color paintings, designs, and sculptures that visually inform the coming of the Reformation are perfect complements to the author’s colorful prose.

As his readers know, Cahill has a knack for characterizing historical figures with uncanny accuracy and rhetorical flourish. It is sometimes difficult to decide who is heroic and who is heretical at any given moment, but bibliophiles can rejoice at the pivotal role played by the printing press. Art, literature and theology, as well as history, all feature prominently in this thought-provoking account of a crucially formative stage in Western civilization. It goes without saying that the seminar discussions will necessarily be wide-ranging and lively.

Taylor is the Hiram A. Jones Professor Emeritus of Classics at Lawrence University. He is the author of three books and dozens of articles.

Seminar classes are held at Björklunden’s lodge, just south of Baileys Harbor, and meet weekday mornings and some evenings. Each seminar includes meals prepared by Björklunden’s resident chef. For complete course descriptions, fees and registration dates call 920.839.2216, email [email protected] or visit their website.