Saints & sinners : a history of the popes

This abundantly illustrated book encompasses the extraordinary history of the papacy, from its beginnings nearly two thousand years ago to the reign of Pope John Paul II.
"Duffy offers a comprehensive overview of the 2,000-year history of the papacy. . . . This digestible survey provides a compelling introduction to one of the most durable and significant institutions to influence the course of Western civilization."—Booklist
"As [Duffy] works his way through the papal roll of honour and dishonour, he is always careful to re-create the political, social and economic background to different reigns. He eschews opaque ecclesiastical jargon and, where a theological or doctrinal dispute has to be explained, he does so in a way that even those unversed in biblical concepts or Christian history will immediately grasp. . . . [An] outstanding work of popular scholarship."—Peter Stanford, The Daily Telegraph