Book about the History of the Papacy?

[CatholicWhovian]

Does anyone know about any good books about the history of the Papacy that don’t analyze it in an anti-Catholic light? This question is aimed at history buffs, but also to others who have read books on a similar subject as well. I’m particularly interested in the medieval Papacy and the Papal States in particular, and how the Papacy interacted with European kings.

If this thread seems out of place in the “Popular Media” section, could a moderator move it to the appropriate section?

 

[RPRPsych]

“Saints and Sinners” by Catholic historian Eamon Duffy is a good, one-volume text for a popular audience.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Not medieval, but the best book about the history of the Papacy is the Bible.

 

[CatholicWhovian]

“Saints and Sinners” by Catholic historian Eamon Duffy is a good, one-volume text for a popular audience.

I’ve read somewhere that Eamon Duffy denies papal primacy. He could be problematic with regards to its first centuries…

Not medieval, but the best book about the history of the Papacy is the Bible.

That’s not very helpful. The Bible shows the origins of the Papacy. Origins don’t necessarily equal history.

 

[christofirst]

I have a book which I reference a lot called The Popes; A Concise Biographical History, edited by Eric John, published by Roman Catholic Books, originally published in 1964, but updated in 1994. It’s got the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, and hopefully it’s still in print or available used.

 

[Memaw]

I have a book which I reference a lot called The Popes; A Concise Biographical History, edited by Eric John, published by Roman Catholic Books, originally published in 1964, but updated in 1994. It’s got the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur, and hopefully it’s still in print or available used.

I think Catholic Answers has a book about that but I can’t remember the name or the author. But I think you could find that out easy enough on their website. God Bless, Memaw

 

[pianistclare]

• John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.