On a more religious bent
A Dark History : The Popes : Vice, Murder, and Corruption in the Vatican
by Brenda Ralph Lewis
c2009, Metro Books
I found this book while perusing the bargain book area of a Barnes & Noble book store. It looked interesting as I flipped through it - not too light, but not to academic - so I bought it.
The book starts with popes of the 9th century and then onwards through the 20th century. It covers the Cadavar Synod and then onwards through the genocide of the Cathars. Amidst this, the start and expansion of the Inquisition is brought to light. How it was started to counter heresy and to keep the power firmly in the Popes hands. It explains the banning of Copernicus's thoughts and how Galileo was admonished by the church. The last chapter is about Pope Pius XII and his interactions with the Nazis during World War II.
The information I learned about the Inquisition, brought to light for me, more of how it was formed and why, plus how it managed to continue on well into the 18th and even 19th century.
Also I had read about Pope Pius XII previously and how many accuse him of being under the sway of Nazi power but this book gives some good reasons as to why he wasn't. It explains how he did not want anyone harmed because of anything he had proclaimed, as the Nazis were wont to do. It also talked about the safe houses in the environs of the Pope's domain in Italy and how those environs were used to keep Jews and others safe from the Nazis.
The book is interspersed with partial to full page/two page explanations that go into more detail about various people, things, and events mentioned within the text of the book. Also defined in small boxes are words relating to the papacy.
by Brenda Ralph Lewis
c2009, Metro Books
I found this book while perusing the bargain book area of a Barnes & Noble book store. It looked interesting as I flipped through it - not too light, but not to academic - so I bought it.
The book starts with popes of the 9th century and then onwards through the 20th century. It covers the Cadavar Synod and then onwards through the genocide of the Cathars. Amidst this, the start and expansion of the Inquisition is brought to light. How it was started to counter heresy and to keep the power firmly in the Popes hands. It explains the banning of Copernicus's thoughts and how Galileo was admonished by the church. The last chapter is about Pope Pius XII and his interactions with the Nazis during World War II.
The information I learned about the Inquisition, brought to light for me, more of how it was formed and why, plus how it managed to continue on well into the 18th and even 19th century.
Also I had read about Pope Pius XII previously and how many accuse him of being under the sway of Nazi power but this book gives some good reasons as to why he wasn't. It explains how he did not want anyone harmed because of anything he had proclaimed, as the Nazis were wont to do. It also talked about the safe houses in the environs of the Pope's domain in Italy and how those environs were used to keep Jews and others safe from the Nazis.
The book is interspersed with partial to full page/two page explanations that go into more detail about various people, things, and events mentioned within the text of the book. Also defined in small boxes are words relating to the papacy.