Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
HILARIOUS, FASCINATING READ!, 15 Sep 2000
I can't remember when I've laughed so much! This book reads like a Stephen King thriller. I used to think that the Borgias represented a low point in the papacy, but they don't come close to the depravity under Sergius III, John XI, John XII and the ambitious Marozia, the time around 904 to 963 AD. Much fun was also had during the great schism and al through the renaissance. It is truly a tale of scandal, intrigue and crime and makes compulsive reading. Contains a useful Chronology, List of Popes with dates, Councils of the church, a very good bibliography (of documents and books) and index. This book contains enough material for more than one TV mini-series.
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15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
A wonderfully entertaining read, 21 Aug 2000
By A Customer
This is one of the most interesting historical books I've ever read, a papal history full of murder, "romance", war and treachery. From start to finish it is engaging. The book paints a very unflattering picture of Catholicism and the popes throughout history, and may leave you questioning some of your own beliefs. I would recommend it to anyone interested in history or religion, and anyone looking for an interesting and thought provoking read.
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Engrossing read (even for believers), 6 April 2008
The facts are well known but rarely presented in such a readable form. It is an extraodinary tale of mischief and mayhem supposedly in the name of God. It devastates some unusual claims of the church but does it without getting out the hammer.
What gives the book its edge is that Peter de Rosa was once in the church and writes with considerable sympathy. It would be easy to write a book of mockery but he doesn't. His point about the development of the hatred of Jews has remained with me since I first read the book many years ago. His predictions/hopes for the incumbent pope at the time of writing are since proven wrong - but that is the benefit of time.
It is fascinating but not a threat for anyone who has a Christian faith and probably uncomfortable for Roman Catholics who think deeply about the claims of their church to infallibility and holy tradition.
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