Description

This engrossing book encompasses the extraordinary history of the papacy, from its beginnings to the present day. This new edition covers the unprecedented resignation of Benedict XVI and the election of the first Argentinian pope.
Praise for the earlier editions:

“Duffy enlivens the long march through church history with anecdotes that bring the different pontiffs to life. . . . Saints and Sinners is a remarkable achievement.”-Piers Paul Read, The Times (London)

“A distinguished text . . . offering plenty of historical facts and sobering, valuable judgments.”-Henry Chadwick, New York Times Book Review

“Will fascinate anyone wishing to better understand the history of the Catholic Church and the forces that have shaped the role of the papacy.”-Gloria J. Tysl, Christian Century

Publisher Review

“[A] minor masterpiece which is everything good, popular history ought to be. . . . The most comprehensive single-volume history of the popes in print.”-John Adamson, Sunday Telegraph (on the previous edition)

“An outstanding work.”-Peter Stanford, Daily Telegraph

“[T]races the history of the papacy from its humble beginnings . . . with St. Peter, to the distinctly different institution . . . [of] today.”-Washington Post Book World

“Duffy enlivens the long march through church history with anecdotes that bring the different pontiffs to life. . . . Saints and Sinners is a remarkable achievement.”-Piers Paul Read, Times (UK)

“A distinguished text . . . offering plenty of historical facts and sobering, valuable judgments.”-Henry Chadwick, New York Times Book Review

“Will intrigue the faithful as well as the skeptical.”-Economist

“[A] fine survey of the papacy.”-Gary Wills, New York Review of Books

“A grand and critical overview of an institution which Duffy believes has been ‘on balance a force for human freedom and largeness of spirit’.”-Patrick Collins, Times Literary Supplement

“This new book offers the most comprehensive one-volume history in English of the popes from ancient times to the pontificate of John Paul II. . . [Duffy’s] account is judicious and fair throughout.”-Robert Louis Wilken, Commonweal

“A compelling introduction to one of the most durable and significant institutions to influence the course of Western civilizations.”-Booklist

“This is as fair-minded, as full and as interesting a survey as a one-volume history of the papacy can be expected to be. Clear, elegant and lively, the book is very readable. It is a stunning achievement, to be grateful for.”-R.A. Markus, The Tablet

“An excellent college-level reference.”-The Bookwatch

“Lively and informative read. . . Duffy peoples his story with real men, and casts interesting, sometimes poignant light on their lives.”-Jerry Bartram, Globe and Mail

“The history of the papacy is a fascinating study whether you consider it theologically, politically, or economically. Duffy offers a masterful blending of all three in this beautiful book.”-Catholic News Service

“The story has all the ingredients of a best-seller. Love, lust, nail-biting struggles for power, a passion for goodness, sometimes an almost equal appetite for evil.”-Mario Basini, The Western Mail

“A wonderful study of heroism and flawed humanity.”-John Morrill, Catholic Herald

“The narrative is full of charming vignettes. . . deserves to be sipped like good wine.”-Thomas Shelley, Church

“A wonderful history of the popes . . . a book that will fascinate anyone wishing to better understand the history of the Catholic Church and the forces that have shaped the role of the papacy.”-Gloria J. Tysl, Christian Century

“Duffy’s sprightly and sometimes anecdotal style moves the reader effortlessly through the centuries, highlighting popes whose tenure changed the shape of the papacy.”-Donald L. Gelpi, America