Writing for people of every religious allegiance, John Kelly gives concise accounts not only of all the officially recognized popes from St Peter to John Paul 11, but also of all their irregularly elected rivals, the so-called antipopes. Also listed is the legendary existence of a popess called Joan. Each pope and antipope's entry covers his family and social background and pre-papal career as well as his activities in office. The entries are arranged chronologically making this a continuous history of the papacy which has ...
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Writing for people of every religious allegiance, John Kelly gives concise accounts not only of all the officially recognized popes from St Peter to John Paul 11, but also of all their irregularly elected rivals, the so-called antipopes. Also listed is the legendary existence of a popess called Joan. Each pope and antipope's entry covers his family and social background and pre-papal career as well as his activities in office. The entries are arranged chronologically making this a continuous history of the papacy which has an unbroken existence of almost 2,000 years. It reveals how, for much of that history, spiritual and temporal power have been inextricably mingled in the person of the pope.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has soft covers. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 400grams, ISBN: 9780192820853.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. 1989. Paperback. Clean copy with minor shelf wear. Previous owner's name to half-title page. Remains a very good copy.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
I ran into this book on the book table in a Unity Church. It is written by an Anglican Priest, Englishman. I am a Catholic, fairly well educatged. In college we learned about the traditional hostility against the Papacy by the Protestant world. I did not expect what I found. The material for the book was assembled over 35 years, filling file folders in a couple drawers of a file cabinet. Moreover, he traveled with Archbishop of Canterbury to the 2nd Vatican Council, and met popes personallhy. His history, chronologically organized, gives a sketch of the lives of all the popes, virtues, vices, warts and all. He includes those men who were not popes, but who some political sponsor, or his own efforts, made him a counterfeit pope. His presentation seems objective, accurate (as far as I can tell) and not at all polemic. One recurring scene paints some popes as virtuous, holy men, pastors of their people, but administratively inept. The other side of that coin are the popes who are administratively gifted, excellent political players, effective seclular rulers, but anything but virtuous. And after 2000+ years of these guys running things, or not running them, the Church is still there. Not a book to read straight through, but rather to be read like the Old Testament: a bit here, a bit there, looking for themes and connections. A great book beside the chair, beside the fireplace, in mid winter. Dan
ghmus7
Dec 3, 2007
Unexpectedly Facinating
You woudn't expect a book like this to be facinating, but the history of the Holy See, with it's intrigues, political machinations, great Saints and sinners is more entertaining than a Harold Robbins novel. Each pope is included with a comprehensive biography. A great reference work and a fun book to read at random.
