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Another book review
Posted by Derrick
on
16:08
I have been getting my history fixes lately. Recently I reviewed a book by Nick Page which dealt with the history of the Reformation. Another book which I am long overdue a review of is The Popes: A History by John Julius Norwich.
Now, I have to confess, I have not actually read the book yet but rather i have listened to it as an audiobook on multiple occasions. It is over 21 hours long and takes the long path from St. Peter through to Benedict XVI.
It really is a fascinating book. It goes through church history with pace and with great scholarship. It is well written and has a good deal of information. It doesn't shy from the awfulness of some of the Popes and neither does it ignore the greatness of others.
It doesn't delve too much into doctrinal issues (where it has to, such as with the filioque clause, it does so with ease and without getting too technical), rather preferring to take the narrative approach. With such a long period and with so many Popes (and antipopes) of course it necessarily needs to limit detailed examination to those Popes who stuck around long enough and who had an impact on the church. You won't find much on Urban VII (13-day reign) or Boniface VI (16 days) but you will find good and instructive passages on Gregory the Great, Urban II, Adrian VI and Boniface VIII.
It deals with the conflicts with the Holy Roman Emperors, the Crusades (nicely highlighting their barbarism and pointlessness as well as their successes) and the Byzantine Empire. The Renaissance and Reformation are dealt with extremely well and leave the reader (listener?) well informed and entertained.
There are some passages which are heavy going but I think that relates more to my own preferences as a historian. For example, I found the lengthy passage dealing with Pius IX and the creation of Italy to be tedious and overlong.
The author does an excellent job and keeps the narrative going. There are one or two diversions but they are necessary. The sections on Pope Joan and the death of Pope John-Paul I are great diversions and taught me a lot. I was very impressed.
Overall, I learned a lot from this book and I am someone who has studied a good deal of church history. My favourite fact was the name of the Papal Bull sent by Boniface VIII to King Philip the Fair of France. It was sent at a time when the Pope was incredibly angry and is called "Ausculta Fili" which means "Listen, son ..." Made me think of the Papacy as an episode of Eastenders; which I suppose, after reading this book, it has often turned out to be.
I highly recommend this book and would love to hear what others think about it.
Now, I have to confess, I have not actually read the book yet but rather i have listened to it as an audiobook on multiple occasions. It is over 21 hours long and takes the long path from St. Peter through to Benedict XVI.
It really is a fascinating book. It goes through church history with pace and with great scholarship. It is well written and has a good deal of information. It doesn't shy from the awfulness of some of the Popes and neither does it ignore the greatness of others.
It doesn't delve too much into doctrinal issues (where it has to, such as with the filioque clause, it does so with ease and without getting too technical), rather preferring to take the narrative approach. With such a long period and with so many Popes (and antipopes) of course it necessarily needs to limit detailed examination to those Popes who stuck around long enough and who had an impact on the church. You won't find much on Urban VII (13-day reign) or Boniface VI (16 days) but you will find good and instructive passages on Gregory the Great, Urban II, Adrian VI and Boniface VIII.
It deals with the conflicts with the Holy Roman Emperors, the Crusades (nicely highlighting their barbarism and pointlessness as well as their successes) and the Byzantine Empire. The Renaissance and Reformation are dealt with extremely well and leave the reader (listener?) well informed and entertained.
There are some passages which are heavy going but I think that relates more to my own preferences as a historian. For example, I found the lengthy passage dealing with Pius IX and the creation of Italy to be tedious and overlong.
The author does an excellent job and keeps the narrative going. There are one or two diversions but they are necessary. The sections on Pope Joan and the death of Pope John-Paul I are great diversions and taught me a lot. I was very impressed.
Overall, I learned a lot from this book and I am someone who has studied a good deal of church history. My favourite fact was the name of the Papal Bull sent by Boniface VIII to King Philip the Fair of France. It was sent at a time when the Pope was incredibly angry and is called "Ausculta Fili" which means "Listen, son ..." Made me think of the Papacy as an episode of Eastenders; which I suppose, after reading this book, it has often turned out to be.
I highly recommend this book and would love to hear what others think about it.
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