NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In a chronicle that captures nearly two thousand years of inspiration and intrigue; John Julius Norwich recounts in riveting detail the histories of the most significant popes and what they meant politically; culturally; and socially to Rome and to the world. Norwich presents such popes as Innocent I; who in the fifth century successfully negotiated with Alaric the Goth; an invader civil authorities could not defeat; Leo I; who two decades later tamed (and perhaps paid off) Attila the Hun; the infamous “pornocracyâ€â€”the five libertines who were descendants or lovers of Marozia; debauched daughter of one of Rome’s most powerful families; Pope Paul III; “the greatest pontiff of the sixteenth century;†who reinterpreted the Church’s teaching and discipline; John XXIII; who in five short years starting in 1958 instituted reforms that led to Vatican II; and Benedict XVI; who is coping with today’s global priest sex scandal. Epic and compelling; Absolute Monarchs is an enthralling history from “an enchanting and satisfying raconteur†(The Washington Post).
#5070 in Books imusti 2003-09-23 2003-09-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 5.20l; .55 #File Name: 0812968174336 pagesRandom House Trade
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Eric HodgeGood Read5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Great HistorianBy Floretta O'brienProf. Van Sertima proves that he's an invaluable historian with this book. He's thorough and gives an excellent account of some pre-history that may have been missing from other histories of this particular period. A must-read for anyone interested in another perspective on history that gives a true balance to what is traditionally taught.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. READ! READ! READ!By KBSMasterful research. I wish everyone would read this book; and everything Ivan Van Sertima ever wrote and researched. It gives you what the classrooms won't teach: from elementary to the university-dispell the myths!
