This biographical dictionary is an unrivalled source of information about the astonishing succession of churchmen who have loomed large on the world scene for almost 2,000 years. The Dictionary contains concise accounts not only of all the officially recognized popes from St. Peter to John Paul II, but also of all their irregularly elected rivals, the so-called antipopes; it also has an appendix recording the once generally credited but long discarded, tradition that at some date in the ninth, tenth, or eleventh century ...
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This biographical dictionary is an unrivalled source of information about the astonishing succession of churchmen who have loomed large on the world scene for almost 2,000 years. The Dictionary contains concise accounts not only of all the officially recognized popes from St. Peter to John Paul II, but also of all their irregularly elected rivals, the so-called antipopes; it also has an appendix recording the once generally credited but long discarded, tradition that at some date in the ninth, tenth, or eleventh century there was a femal pope called Joan. Each pope and antipope is assigned an entry which covers, except where (as in the early centuries) no information is available, his family and social background and pre-papal career as well as his activities in office, and each entry has its separate select bibliography, usually including references to the primary source for the pope's life and his official acts. The popes have been deliberately arranged in chronological rather than alphabetical order so that each can be studied in his own historical context. The arrangement also means that the book is in effect a continuous history of the papacy. Based on careful research, but eminently readable, it provides revealing vignettes of the extraordinary variety of men who have claimed to be successors of St. Peter, and their varying involvement on great power politics, personal or family aggrandizement, theological controversy, or spiritual leadership. It also presents a graphic and moving picture of the fluctuating fortunes of the Christian church centered in Rome, sometimes submerged by secular forces, but at other times, under popes of determination and vision, staging a spectacular revival and confronting the world (as today) with a daunting challenge. About the Author: J.N.D. Kelly is formerly principal of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. Features: A matchless resource on the history of the Papacy - Chronologically arranged and fully indexed - Filled with compelling vignettes and portraits
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Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
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Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Noticeably used book. Text is legible but may be soiled and have binding defects. Heavy wear to covers and pages contain marginal notes, underlining, and or highlighting. Possible ex library copy, with all the markings/stickers of that library. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, and dust jackets may not be included.
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Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good in good dust jacket. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. Ex-library. jacket in plastic cover, flaps taped to copy; copy has minimal library markings. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. Audience: General/trade.
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Very good. Small yellow sticker on the front. Fold crease on the back. We have 1.5 million books to choose from--Ship within 24 hours--Satisfaction Guaranteed!
I ran into this book on the book table in a Unity Church. It is written by an Anglican Priest, Englishman. I am a Catholic, fairly well educatged. In college we learned about the traditional hostility against the Papacy by the Protestant world. I did not expect what I found. The material for the book was assembled over 35 years, filling file folders in a couple drawers of a file cabinet. Moreover, he traveled with Archbishop of Canterbury to the 2nd Vatican Council, and met popes personallhy. His history, chronologically organized, gives a sketch of the lives of all the popes, virtues, vices, warts and all. He includes those men who were not popes, but who some political sponsor, or his own efforts, made him a counterfeit pope. His presentation seems objective, accurate (as far as I can tell) and not at all polemic. One recurring scene paints some popes as virtuous, holy men, pastors of their people, but administratively inept. The other side of that coin are the popes who are administratively gifted, excellent political players, effective seclular rulers, but anything but virtuous. And after 2000+ years of these guys running things, or not running them, the Church is still there. Not a book to read straight through, but rather to be read like the Old Testament: a bit here, a bit there, looking for themes and connections. A great book beside the chair, beside the fireplace, in mid winter. Dan
ghmus7
Dec 3, 2007
Unexpectedly Facinating
You woudn't expect a book like this to be facinating, but the history of the Holy See, with it's intrigues, political machinations, great Saints and sinners is more entertaining than a Harold Robbins novel. Each pope is included with a comprehensive biography. A great reference work and a fun book to read at random.
