"[A] minor masterpiece which is everything good, popular history ought to be. The most comprehensive single-volume history of the popes in print."--John Adamson, Sunday Telegraph (on the previous edition) "An outstanding work."--Peter Stanford, Daily Telegraph "[T]races the history of the papacy from its humble beginnings . with St. Peter, to the distinctly different institution . [of] today."-- Washington Post Book World "Duffy enlivens the long march through church history with anecdotes that bring the different pontiffs to life.
Saints and Sinners is a remarkable achievement."--Piers Paul Read, Times (UK) "A distinguished text . offering plenty of historical facts and sobering, valuable judgments."--Henry Chadwick, New York Times Book Review "Will intrigue the faithful as well as the skeptical."-- Economist "[A] fine survey of the papacy."--Gary Wills, New York Review of Books "A grand and critical overview of an institution which Duffy believes has been 'on balance a force for human freedom and largeness of spirit'."--Patrick Collins, Times Literary Supplement "This new book offers the most comprehensive one-volume history in English of the popes from ancient times to the pontificate of John Paul II. [Duffy's] account is judicious and fair throughout.
"--Robert Louis Wilken, Commonweal "A compelling introduction to one of the most durable and significant institutions to influence the course of Western civilizations."-- Booklist "This is as fair-minded, as full and as interesting a survey as a one-volume history of the papacy can be expected to be. Clear, elegant and lively, the book is very readable. It is a stunning achievement, to be grateful for."--R.A. Markus, The Tablet "An excellent college-level reference."-- The Bookwatch "Lively and informative read.
Duffy peoples his story with real men, and casts interesting, sometimes poignant light on their lives."--Jerry Bartram, Globe and Mail "The history of the papacy is a fascinating study whether you consider it theologically, politically, or economically. Duffy offers a masterful blending of all three in this beautiful book."-- Catholic News Service "The story has all the ingredients of a best-seller. Love, lust, nail-biting struggles for power, a passion for goodness, sometimes an almost equal appetite for evil."--Mario Basini, The Western Mail "A wonderful study of heroism and flawed humanity."--John Morrill, Catholic Herald "The narrative is full of charming vignettes. deserves to be sipped like good wine.
"--Thomas Shelley, Church.