By What Authority?
Robert Hugh Benson
Read by Carol Pelster
Two wealthy families are neighbors in Elizabethan England; one is staunchly Catholic and the other is devoutly Protestant. The attractive young scions of the families are drawn to each other in friendship and love, but are kept apart by their opposing religions. Life is very difficult for Catholics during those times. They are subject to fines, imprisonment, torture and ignominious death for practicing their faith. On the other hand, for various reasons some Catholics give up their inherited faith, and even betray and persecute their fellow-religionists. As the threads of plot are woven tighter, heroes emerge, sometimes most unexpectedly, as they grapple with theological doubts and conflicts, and undergo extreme suffering and loss. The many characters we meet ring true, whether they are brilliant or superstitious, stalwart or wavering, pious or violent; and it is a great privilege to spend time with such towering historical figures as St. Edmond Campion and Queen Elizabeth herself. Love, history, theology, suspense, and an array of colorful characters are sewn inexorably together in this large and compelling story. (Intro by Carol Pelster) (23 hr 13 min)
Chapters
| Part 1 Chapter 1 | 19:42 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 2 | 35:07 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 3 | 39:08 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 4 | 35:14 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 5 | 30:22 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 6 | 39:54 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 7 | 31:49 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 8 | 20:30 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 9 | 21:46 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 10 | 41:55 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 11 | 40:38 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 1 Chapter 12 | 28:48 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 1 | 40:00 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 2 | 37:52 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 3 | 33:46 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 4 | 43:01 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 5 | 57:15 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 6 | 44:03 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 7 | 36:14 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 8 | 28:58 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 9 | 40:25 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 10 | 39:35 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 11 | 53:15 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 12 | 43:35 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 13 | 43:44 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 2 Chapter 14 | 38:03 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 1 | 16:47 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 2 | 34:41 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 3 | 42:25 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 4 | 19:50 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 5 | 24:46 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 6 | 35:41 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 7 | 37:01 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 8 | 36:28 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 9 | 19:03 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 10 | 31:05 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 11 | 37:41 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 12 | 12:43 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 13 | 36:52 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 14 | 28:37 | Read by Carol Pelster |
| Part 3 Chapter 15 | 14:51 | Read by Carol Pelster |
Reviews
Religion In Troubled Times
TLocke
An excellent story, it takes a few chapters to become engaging. Then it grabs you by the front of the shirt through the rest of it. I wound up listening all night instead of sleeping. As a convert to Catholic Church it was a good reminder of why the Church still holds authority in another troubling time...and a reminder of how we Western Catholics are blessed. Freedom of Religion should never be taken lightly. The story greatly benefitted by the calm and very competent reader. Like all excellent readers, she was unnoticed through most of the book.
Bravo from Borneo
Lord Jim
Bravo! Bravo! I have been truly moved by this book...so exquisitely written and read sublimely by Carol Pelster. I have a penchant for historical novels and this one set in the turbulent time of the English Reformation under Queen Elizabeth certainly did not disappoint. I was so quickly invested in the characters and enjoyed the tension created by so many unexpected twists and turns in the story, which in essence follows two families over many years. Such courage and strength of character was shown by so many. I will now complete this trilogy.
best book. best narrator. moving story. leaves one in awe.
A LibriVox Listener
s s
car tales
Reader is excellent. Story is also!