For Further Reading on the Protestant Reformation, the Reformed Institute recommends…

- Benedict, Philip. Christ’s Churches Purely Reformed—A Social History of Calvinism (Yale, 2002)

A big book (500+ pp.), providing thorough treatment of a complex subject; the best scholarly work devoted entirely to the subject of Calvinism currently available; by a distinguished historian who is not himself a Christian; invaluable resource for those who are prepared to devote some sustained time and effort to the book.

- Collinson, Patrick. The Reformation—A History (Modern Library, 2004).

A short, readable introduction to the story of the Reformation by a distinguished English historian.

- Gordon, Bruce, CALVIN (Yale University Press) (2009)

- MacCulloch, Diarmaid. The Reformation—A History (Viking, 2003)

Another big (but quite readable) book by a distinguished scholar; it provides an excellent overview of the entire Reformation, with in-depth analysis of virtually all the major movements involved, from the Anabaptists to the Jesuits. Excellent concluding chapters on the impact of the Reformation on daily life.

- McGrath, Alister E. A Life of John Calvin—A Study in the Shaping of Western Culture (Blackwell, 1990).

A concise, readable overview of the life, times, thought and historical influence of John Calvin by a respected scholar who is sympathetic to Calvin but not uncritical.

- McGrath, Alister E. In the Beginning—the Story of the King James Bible and How It Changed a Nation, a Language and a Culture (Anchor, 2001)

A stimulating, brief book—the tale of one of the most important developments in modern English history told by a gifted story teller and distinguished historian.

- Mouw, Richard. Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport—Making Connections in Today’s World (Zondervan, 2004)

A short, easy read by the current president of Fuller Theological Seminary; designed to make a case for the relevance of (orthodox) Calvinism to contemporary life.