The Popes

A History

By: John Julius Norwich

Narrated by: Michael Jayston

Brought to you by Penguin.


John 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

Of 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, The Popes is superbly written, witty and revealing.

'Charming and learned...The prose is elegant, the witticisms are plentiful, and the volume's enthusiasm is addictive.' Jonathan Wright, BBC History Magazine


© John Julius Norwich 2011 (P) Penguin Audio 2011

Well written and excellently narrated.

This was excellently written and even better read. The narrator was excellent, his enunciation was the best I've heard in my listening to audio books, his pronunciation of Latin, French and even English was fantastic. The story itself was gripping and fascinating and hard tp pause or put down. It was not just the intrigue, corruption, the scandals, incest, swxuality, cover-ups, murder and absurdity of the popes, but also the history and stories behind the history of the popes. It was interesting to know who was pope at particular time throughout history, their reasons for wanting to become pope and head of the catholic church. One things for sure is that the papacy has been one of, if not the most enduring institutions in the church and of theisy dividing, corrupt and nepotistic. If I was a catholic, after listening to this, I'd have to have a serious rethink. All in all, it was a fantastic book and well worth it. I recommend this book.

A fascinating history for all history lovers

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It puts into context many historical events

What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?

Michael Jayston read clearly and with liveliness but always maintaining a certain learnedness appropriate for the nature of the book

Any additional comments?

This history puts into context many historical events although by its very nature covering such a huge amount of time it glosses over many things. It is however a great read for catholics and non-catholics alike.

Good overall

Much of this book was interesting and would serve as a good introduction, though, as I have studied the Popes at some length, I am not really this books stated audience. Norwich didn't appear to desire to emphasis some of the more ridiculous aspects of the Medieval Popes (Popes and anti-Popes, Kings and anti-Kings, let me show you them), which, if I'm honest, are some of my favourite parts of Papal history. The ridiculousness of the medieval Church is rather fun for obvious reasons and also as, ironically, it is the point at which the Papacy begins to establish itself as a temporal power.

I disagreed with some of his conclusions with regards to the Renaissance Popes however. For better and more specific information on the Borgias for instance, try Christopher Hibberts book and the biographies of Lucrezia and Cesare by Sarah Bradford. Hibbert also has a decent book on the Medici, which I would recommend over Paul Stratherns which is, in my opinion, a bit homophobic. The Medici family had a number of gay men, including Leo X, so this is significant.

However, it was a good overall summary of Papal history, but one should always read (or listen) with an open and critical mind.

The performance of Michael Jayston was very, very good and kept the attention very well. I will certainly go through and look for more of his work.