A Candid History of the Jesuits

"A Candid History of the Jesuits" by Joseph McCabe is a historical exploration of the Society of Jesus, balancing their famed achievements with the disputes that have surrounded them throughout time. The book aims to deliver a neutral view of the Jesuit order, showing both the respect and hostility it has collected over hundreds of years. Starting off, the author starts by introducing Iñigo of Loyola, who would later be called Ignatius, setting the groundwork for an in-depth study of the Jesuits. Ignatius transformed from a soldier whose dreams were crushed to someone who deeply followed Christ, after a bad injury redirected his life. The chapter explains Ignatius's early spiritual road, filled with deep thought and dedication, which drove him to imagine a society focused on helping the Church and fighting against Protestantism. Through this story, hints of the complex origins of the Jesuit order are laid out as well as intertwined ideas of belief, drive, and the impact that society can have, which will be expanded upon in later chapters.