A History of the Popes

Reviews / Votes

"[A] minor masterpiece which is everything good, popular history ought to be. . . . The most comprehensive single-volume history of the popes in print."-John Adamson, Sunday Telegraph (on the previous edition)

"An outstanding work."-Peter Stanford, Daily Telegraph

"[T]races the history of the papacy from its humble beginnings . . . with St. Peter, to the distinctly different institution . . . [of] today."-Washington Post Book World

"Duffy enlivens the long march through church history with anecdotes that bring the different pontiffs to life. . . . Saints and Sinners is a remarkable achievement."-Piers Paul Read, Times (UK)

"A distinguished text . . . offering plenty of historical facts and sobering, valuable judgments."-Henry Chadwick, New York Times Book Review

"Will intrigue the faithful as well as the skeptical."-Economist


"[A] fine survey of the papacy."-Gary Wills, New York Review of Books


"A grand and critical overview of an institution which Duffy believes has been 'on balance a force for human freedom and largeness of spirit'."-Patrick Collins, Times Literary Supplement


"This new book offers the most comprehensive one-volume history in English of the popes from ancient times to the pontificate of John Paul II. . . [Duffy's] account is judicious and fair throughout."-Robert Louis Wilken, Commonweal

"A compelling introduction to one of the most durable and significant institutions to influence the course of Western civilizations."-Booklist


"This is as fair-minded, as full and as interesting a survey as a one-volume history of the papacy can be expected to be. Clear, elegant and lively, the book is very readable. It is a stunning achievement, to be grateful for."-R.A. Markus, The Tablet

"An excellent college-level reference."-The Bookwatch


"Lively and informative read. . . Duffy peoples his story with real men, and casts interesting, sometimes poignant light on their lives."-Jerry Bartram, Globe and Mail


"The history of the papacy is a fascinating study whether you consider it theologically, politically, or economically. Duffy offers a masterful blending of all three in this beautiful book."-Catholic News Service

"The story has all the ingredients of a best-seller. Love, lust, nail-biting struggles for power, a passion for goodness, sometimes an almost equal appetite for evil."-Mario Basini, The Western Mail


"A wonderful study of heroism and flawed humanity."-John Morrill, Catholic Herald

"The narrative is full of charming vignettes. . . deserves to be sipped like good wine."-Thomas Shelley, Church


"A wonderful history of the popes . . . a book that will fascinate anyone wishing to better understand the history of the Catholic Church and the forces that have shaped the role of the papacy."-Gloria J. Tysl, Christian Century

"Duffy's sprightly and sometimes anecdotal style moves the reader effortlessly through the centuries, highlighting popes whose tenure changed the shape of the papacy."-Donald L. Gelpi, America