The Classics of the Radical Reformation Series
Originally published by Pandora Press, and now available from Plough Publishing, the Classics of the Radical Reformation Series is an essential collection on Anabaptist history. The Plough series page offers the following description, and provides the introductions to each of the books as open access PDFS:
The Protestant Reformation and the publication of the Bible in the vernacular gave rise to a movement in sixteenth-century Europe calling for a radical return to Christianity’s earliest roots, including nonviolence, community, and freedom of conscience. The writings of these early Anabaptists, as they became known for their belief in voluntary adult baptism, laid the groundwork for today’s freedom of religion and the separation of church and state, and continue to inspire and challenge modern Christians of all traditions. The goal of the Classics of the Radical Reformation (CRR) series has been to offer in the English language, scholarly and critical editions of the primary works of these pioneers of the Radical Reformation. Though scholarly, CRR editions are also intended for the wider audience of those interested in Anabaptist and free church writers of the sixteenth century. The translations are intended to be true and polished, yet not excessively literal or wooden.
The Global Mennonite History Series
Originally published by Pandora Press, and now available from Good Books/Skyhorse Publishing, the Global Mennonite History Series is an excellent introduction to the Mennonite experience across the world, and the Mennonite World Conference has made each book available here as open access PDF downloads, described in the following way:
The Global Mennonite History Series consists of five volumes of history, one from each continental region. Writers from each region trace the origins, development and mission of the Anabaptist-related churches there, reflecting the experiences, understandings and perspectives of these churches. This fresh offering of history is the first time some of these churches have cooperated in telling their story in their own voice. Themes in one book differ from those in another. This telling of the story of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches is intended “to stimulate the renewal and extension of Anabaptist Christianity worldwide.” This series helps readers to understand what the North American religious magazine Christian Century calls “the shift in church energy, leadership and numbers from North to South, from developed to developing nations.” The Global Mennonite History Series was initiated by Mennonite World Conference at its thirteenth global assembly in Calcutta, India in January 1997. The series was guided by an international organizing committee whose members represent all five continental regions. General editors are John A. Lapp and C. Arnold Snyder.