In this book Eamon Duffy has a close look at the institution of the Papacy, the world’s oldest dynasty. Out of the 263 Popes there have been he chooses to write about ten, beginning with the first, St Peter, and ending with the popular, charismatic John-Paul II (Karol Wojtyla), the predecessor to the present incumbent. In between he examines eight others who in one way or another had an impact on human affairs. Duffy is not always reverential towards them. He is often critical, as he is with Pius XII, pope during the 2nd World War, who avoided confrontation with Hitler by not condemning the deportation of Roman Jews. He criticises others, particularly during the Renaissance, for their dissolute lives. However, they have all attempted to steer clear of political turmoil and have always spoken out against the secular values of the time. This is an honest book, full of fresh insights, and can be read not only by Catholics, but, being totally objective, can be read by all who are interested in religious history.