The Popes: Histories and Secrets [Paperback]

Claudio Rendina (Author), Paul D. McCusker (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

A chronological description of the personalities and histories of the 264 popes in Catholic Church history. Each entry explores the man, the times, the controversies, the miracles, and the political significance of the men who assumed the position of the Vicar of Christ. This is a translation of the best-selling award-winning Italian book that has sold over 100,000 copies in its six editions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book should be read and it tells a magnificent story that can be enjoyed by layman and scholar alike. -- Jim Ryan, Head Bibliographer, Yankee Book Peddler, October 2002

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

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Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Seven Locks Press (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193164313X
• ISBN-13: 978-1931643139
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #997,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much useful & interesting information., August 26, 2009

By 

James Yanni (Bellefontaine Neighbors, Mo. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Popes: Histories and Secrets (Paperback)

This book gets 4 stars, not because it is a fascinating and spellbinding read (it isn't) but because it provides a wealth of information, which (I assume) is the primary reason that it was written, and thus it succeeds well at its intended goal. There are a few more typos than I like to see in a scholarly work, although fewer per page than I accept as a given in mass-market paperbacks. I'm not sure whether those glitches came in with the original writing, or whether they are the fault of the translation, but they ARE there, and are a bit distracting, but not a severe enough problem to seriously detract from the book's rating.

I will say that it would seem to me, as one who was not a member of the Catholic church to start with, that it would be difficult to read this book without having a severe strain placed on one's faith in the Church, if one had any to start with; historically, so many of the leaders of the church were CLEARLY not very pius or holy individuals; many were venal, adulterous, and clearly more interested in matters of their political power in the world of the flesh rather than in matters of the spirit. But it must not be impossible to do so, as one would assume that it would be even HARDER to WRITE this book without losing faith than to merely read it, and it seems that the author has succeeded in doing so.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Herculean Research Feat, April 11, 2010

By 

Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Popes: Histories and Secrets (Paperback)

This is a fascinating work on the intricacies of the

Papacy over the centuries. For instance, Simon Bar-Jona

or the Apostle Peter was the first Pope. Guarducci

concluded that a box found in the Vatican Grottoes

contained the bones of Peter wrapped in purple clothing

laced with golden threads. Peter is said to be buried

in the Basilica of Rome.

Linus, the second Pope ordered women to cover their heads

while in Church. St. Anacletus presided over the Church

during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius on 8-24- 79AD.

The volume contains thousands of facts pertinent to the

Papacy over the centuries beginning with the first Pope-the

Apostle Peter. Each Pope is listed together with a brief

bibliography and highlights of the involved reign over the

Church from the election until the end of the Papal tenure.

The fact checking alone would be a considerable job for

any scholar to accomplish. This volume would be perfect for

a religious studies or world history course.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, October 19, 2009

By 

Frances J. Sills "October Morn" (Naples, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Popes: Histories and Secrets (Paperback)

I have been looking for such a book for awhile. I'm an avid reader of historical fiction, especially medieval and Tudor novels. I wanted a resource that gave me quick information about a time period. This book fits my needs very well. In the few times I've used the book, I found it presents information in a non-biased way. With such information, I can put the novel's plot and characters within a framework.I would not buy it "new"; but found a "used" copy in very good condition... for a good price.