I am currently assigned to write a report about the European Wars of Religion and I don't know where to start. I am wondering if any of you guys know which books should I start with? Thanks in advance!
I recommend The Myth of Religous Violence by William T. Cavanaugh.
Even if you don’t agree with his conclusions (which I do), this is a solid counter argument to the conventional view on the wars of religion. Your report will be richer and rounder if you engage with different schools of thought.
He’s a humble guy too (I took a course with him). If you email him with any questions, there’s a good chance he would respond.
To see how they impacted on ordinary lives in France : "Society and Culture in Early Modern France" by Natalie Zemon Davies
For a lot of the actual military information for France : "the French Religious Was 1562-1598" by Knecht (its also short and has lots of pictures of eg the battlefield line ups)
For a bit of an overview of France: "Early Modern France 1560 - 1715" by Robin Briggs
For Europe more generally "Europe divided 1559-1598" by Elliott
Again, for Europe generally 'Europe in the sixteenth century" by Koenigsberger and Mosse
If you want recommendations for English history in this period, let me know
Edit I forgot!
"the European dynastic states 1494 - 1660" by Bonney also has several chapters looking at different counties between 1559-1618
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