History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom, Volume Two

Andrew Dickson White's landmark work advances what became known as the 'conflict thesis': the idea that religion and science have been locked in an inevitable struggle throughout history, and that science must be liberated from theological control to flourish. In this second volume, White examines how the scientific enterprise gradually emancipated itself from religious authority across multiple domains, from astronomy to medicine to geology. The work was revolutionary for its time, shaping how generations understood the relationship between faith and reason. Yet modern historians of science have largely dismantled White's arguments, showing that his accounts often prioritized ideology over evidence. Still, the book remains a fascinating period piece that captures a particular 19th-century vision of progress, and it achieved an unlikely immortality: Albert Bigelow Paine noted it was one of Mark Twain's favorite books, read and reread near the end of the author's life. Whether you approach it as historical curiosity or intellectual provocation, White's polemic remains essential reading for understanding how we got here.