centuries of obliteration. 'Clever and compelling . . . Readers raised in the milky Anglican tradition will be surprised to learn of the savagery of the early saints and their sledgehammer-swinging followers.' Spectator 'Nixey has a great story to tell, and she tells it exceptionally well. She has an expert eye for arresting details, and brings characters and scenarios to life without disguising anything of the strangeness of the world she describes.' Guardian 'A delightful book about destruction and despair. Nixey combines the authority of a serious academic with the expressive style of a good journalist. She's not afraid to throw in the odd joke amid sombre tales of desecration. With considerable courage, she challenges the wisdom of history and manages to prevail.' The Times 'Vivid and important . . . Nixey is a funny, lively, readable guide through this dark world of religious oppression.' Emily Wilson, New Statesman