{"product_id":"the-popes-9780099565871","title":"The Popes","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Julius Norwich expertly examines the history of the oldest continuing institution in the world, tracing the papal line down the centuries from St Peter to the present\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf the 280-odd holders of the supreme office, some have unquestionably been saints; others have wallowed in unspeakable immorality. One was said to have been a woman, her sex being revealed only when she improvidently gave birth to a baby during a papal procession. Almost as shocking was Formosus whose murdered corpse was exhumed, clothed in pontifical vestments, propped up on a throne and subjected to trial. From the glories of Byzantium to the decay of Rome, from the Albigensian Heresy to controversy within the Church today, \u003ci\u003eThe Popes\u003c\/i\u003e is superbly written, witty and revealing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCharming and learned...The prose is elegant, the witticisms are plentiful, and the volume''s enthusiasm is addictive.' Jonathan Wright, \u003ci\u003eBBC History Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The stories are glorious...stuffed with monsters, absurdities, wonders and politics... the parade is endlessly interesting\" Scotsman \"Norwich certainly has an eye for the tiny detail that illuminates a whole character\" Mail on Sunday \"A highly readable book\" Sunday Times \"One of the most bizarre and enjoyable history books I've ever read\" Daily Express \"[John Julius Norwich] approaches his vast canvas with broad brush strokes, dashing off profile after profile with aplomb, flashes of wit and a formidable accumulation of detail\" Financial Times","brand":"Vintage Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48732301001047,"sku":"9780099565871","price":15.29,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-popes-9780099565871","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}