The book that changed Europe

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In eighteenth-century Amsterdam, two French Protestant refugees created a remarkable work that captivated and provoked readers throughout Europe. This account by Lynn Hunt, Margaret Jacob, and Wijnand Mijnhardt delves into the vibrant Dutch Republic and its thriving book trade, focusing on a publication that proposed the radical notion of religious equality. Engraver Bernard Picart and author Jean Frederic Bernard produced The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of All the Peoples of the World, which began its release in 1723 with seven folio volumes. The work provided a comparative perspective on various religions, including Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and Protestants, along with diverse sects from the Orient and the Americas. Despite facing condemnation from the Catholic Church, it achieved remarkable success and was widely copied and adapted over the next century, often losing its original radical context and connections to clandestine literature and Spinoza's philosophy. This influential publication laid the groundwork for religious toleration during a time of persistent conflict and highlighted the global influences on Western thought. The authors illuminate the profound insights within this beautifully illustrated work, showcasing its role in shaping a modern, secular understanding of religion.