Join BookBrowse today and get access to free books, our twice monthly digital magazine, and more.

Books About Popes, Past & Present, Fact & Fiction

With so much focus on the Vatican at the moment, this seems a good time to take a spin through the world of Pope related books. But with so many to choose from, and of greatly varying quality, where to start? To help sift the wheat from the chaff, I turned to our Facebook friends (yes, I know technically they're fans but I prefer to think of them as friends), and posted the following question:

"I'm looking for books to recommend about the Papacy - both fiction and nonfiction. If you know of a "best in class" book about Popes past or present, or about the Vatican/Catholic Church in general, please do post. Thank you!"

Below are some of their recommendations:



[More]

Re Popes, Be sure to include "In God’s Name" by David Yallop.
# Posted By Irwin | 2/28/13 2:33 PM
At least two of my bookshelves are filled with books on the Papacy and the Church, and I have chosen just 4 which aren't on your list:

For reference: Chronicle of the Popes, P.G. Maxwell-Stuart. Only through John Paul II, but includes all the important things, good and not-so-good of each Pope from the beginning.

The business of Conclave: John Allen's Conclave, published in 2002, admits us to all the "behind the smoke" business of the gathering, its history, rituals, restrictions, and of course politics. Allen missed on his own pick of top candidates of the then coming election, though - Cardinal Ratzinger earned only an afterthought, and was not mentioned in Allen's top 20 hopefuls.

For art lovers: Basilica, R.A. Scotti, is a sweeping mural of the 16th century Vatican. Gather up Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, sprinkle with a few Medici, mix with money and politics, and coat with the ego of Julius II and his successors - few histories are more revealing of their times.

And if you love a great novel: Try Mistress of the Vatican, Eleanor Herman, and try to convince yourself it's actually a true story. Pope Joan, as listed, may or may not be true, but this one definitely is. Olimpia Maidalchini managed to fix the election of her brother-in-law, Innocent X, and to control him and the church for most of his reign, Next time you step into Piazza Navona and sweep your vision over the long palace that adjoins the church, remembering that this was once the actual gateway to the Papacy, you'll wonder once again - was this 17th century woman to be admired or shamed?

And now I must clear another shelf section for my choice of those which ARE on your list.
# Posted By Mary Goulding | 3/1/13 10:52 AM
Comments (Please click on the link above to post a comment. Your comment will not appear until approved.)
Discuss on Facebook