Showing results by author "John Julius Norwich" in Religion & Spirituality

Well known for his histories of Norman Sicily, Venice, the Byzantine Empire and the Mediterranean, John Julius Norwich has now turned his attention to the oldest continuing institution in the world, tracing the papal line down the centuries from St Peter himself – traditionally (though by no means historically) the first pope – to the present Benedict XVI.Of the 280-odd holders of the supreme office, some have unques­tionably been saints; others have wallowed in unspeakable iniquity.

In 1969, John Julius Norwich, the legendary popular historian, gathered together the favourite things he'd come across in the last 365 days into one short charming pamphlet. Initially just a treat for his friends, it rapidly turned into a huge word-of-mouth success. And soon the arrival of John Julius Norwich's latest 'Christmas Cracker' became as essential a part of the English Christmas experience as holly and mistletoe. Norwich had a brilliant eye for a story and telling detail, and his Crackers are full of jokes, warmth and wit.

Bien conocido por sus obras históricas, John Julius Norwich dirige ahora su atención hacia la más antigua institución del mundo (además ininterrumpida), rastreando el linaje papal a lo largo de los siglos, desde el mismísimo san Pedro -el primer Papa según la tradición- hasta Benedicto XVI. De los doscientos ochenta y tantos ocupantes del supremo cargo, algunos han sido santos sin lugar a dudas, mientras que otros se han sumido en la más terrible inmoralidad.