From Library Journal
Reviewing 262 popes, McBrien (theology, Univ. of Notre Dame) expands the sketches in his Encyclopedia of Catholicism (LJ 6/1/95) and provides broad historical and theological contexts for each profile, relying on the many-editioned Liber Pontificalis and The Oxford Dictionary of Popes (1986), as well as other scholarly works. McBrien addresses the nonspecialist reader and groups his entries into eight historical periods with distinctive theological and pastoral interpretations. His approach is down to earth and critical, distinguishing pious legend from known fact. The well-written sketches vary from a paragraph to several pages, ranging from Peter to John Paul II. Supplementary appendixes and tables enhance the book for reference as well as circulating use. Recommended for academic and public libraries. [Note: Eamon Duffy's Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes (Yale Univ.) and Peter Maxwell-Stuart's Chronicle of the Popes (Thames & Hudson) are also due in November.]?Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., N.Y.-?Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., N.Y.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The New York Times Book Review, Henry Chadwick
The Rev. Richard P. McBrien, a professor of theology at Notre Dame, has only a small gallery of pictures in his Lives of the Popes, but he provides a sober and informed text....
Booklist
"An invaluable reference guide brimming with solid historical data as well as pontifical fun facts."
"Informed text with vastly more detail [than other papal histories]."
Book Description
Lives of the Pope is the most thorough, vivid, and fascinating history of the papacy available. Renowned Catholic commentator Richard McBrien offers a fresh, intelligent look at each of the 262 popes, including:- The Apostle Peter, the first pope, in his singular role as Vicar of Christ Formosus, the pope whose corpse was exhumed, dressed in full vestments, and subjected to a mock trial for papal misdeeds Boniface, elected pope after having been defrocked twice for immorality John XXIII, perhaps the most beloved pope in all of history Lives of the Popes provides chronologically arranged biographies of the pontiffs, revealing the full sweep of the papacy. Each entry contains essential information on a pontiff’s life, major writings, controversies, and deeds both great and evil. McBrien eloquently and powerfully brings to life the unique stories of the popes and reveals how they transformed Christianity and the world. John Paul II, the present Bishop of Rome
About the Author
Richard McBrien, the bestselling author of Catholicism and general editor of the HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, is a leading TV, radio, and newspaper commentator on the Catholic Church. He is the Crowley-O'Brien-Walter Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.
Lives of the Popes: The Pontiffs from St. Peter to John Paul II FROM THE PUBLISHER
Lives of the Pope is the most thorough, vivid, and fascinating history of the papacy available. Renowned Catholic commentator Richard McBrien offers a fresh, intelligent look at each of the 262 popes, including:- The Apostle Peter, the first pope, in his singular role as Vicar of Christ Formosus, the pope whose corpse was exhumed, dressed in full vestments, and subjected to a mock trial for papal misdeeds, Boniface, elected pope after having been defrocked twice for immorality, John XXIII, perhaps the most beloved pope in all of history. Lives of the Popes provides chronologically arranged biographies of the pontiffs, revealing the full sweep of the papacy. Each entry contains essential information on a pontiff’s life, major writings, controversies, and deeds both great and evil. McBrien eloquently and powerfully brings to life the unique stories of the popes and reveals how they transformed Christianity and the world.
Art & Photography
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