{"product_id":"9780099565871","title":"The Popes","description":"Author: Norwich, Viscount John Julius\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9780099565871\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: RANDOM HOUSE UK\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 01 Jun 2012\u003cbr\u003ePages: 528 \u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn irresistible account of some of history's most illustrious - and iniquitous - figures, from one of our best-loved historians. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn Julius Norwich expertly examines the history of the oldest continuing institution in the world, tracing the papal line down the centuries from St Peter to the present\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOf the 280-odd holders of the supreme office, some have unquestionably been saints; others have wallowed in unspeakable immorality. One was said to have been a woman, her sex being revealed only when she improvidently gave birth to a baby during a papal procession. Almost as shocking was Formosus whose murdered corpse was exhumed, clothed in pontifical vestments, propped up on a throne and subjected to trial. From the glories of Byzantium to the decay of Rome, from the Albigensian Heresy to controversy within the Church today, \u003ci\u003eThe Popes\u003c\/i\u003e is superbly written, witty and revealing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Charming and learned...The prose is elegant, the witticisms are plentiful, and the volume's enthusiasm is addictive.' Jonathan Wright, \u003ci\u003eBBC History Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48150422618270,"sku":"UBD-9780099565871","price":26.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9780099565871.jpg?v=1786964960","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9780099565871","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}