A Candid History of the Jesuits

The study traces the Society of Jesus from its founder's conversion and the first companions through rapid institutional expansion, detailing the order's schools, missions, and roles at royal courts. It examines theological and political controversies that accompanied Jesuit methods, including clashes with Jansenists, expulsions from Iberian realms, and accusations leading to papal suppression. The narrative follows the later restoration and adaptation of the order into a new phase of activity by the early twentieth century. The account combines published Jesuit documents and hostile sources to present both praised virtues and recorded scandals, aiming for a measured, evidence-based appraisal rather than eulogy or indictment.