101. Absolute Monarchs a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 13.77
Dealer: Alibris, TextbookRush via Alibris
Description: Random House 2011 Hard cover Good All orders ship SAME or NEXT business day. Expedited shipments will be received in 1-5 business days within the United States. We proudly ship to APO/FPO addresses. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! 

102. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 13.77
Dealer: Biblio, TextbookRush
Description: Good. All orders ship SAME or NEXT business day. Expedited shipments will be received in 1-5 business days within the United States. We proudly ship to APO/FPO addresses. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

103. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 13.77
Dealer: Abebooks, TextbookRush
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, Incorporated] Hardcover Ships SAME or NEXT business day. We Ship to APO/FPO addr. Choose EXPEDITED shipping and receive in 2-5 business days within the United States. See our member profile for customer support contact info. We have an easy return policy. [Grandview Heights, OH, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

104. Absolute Monarchs a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 13.79
Dealer: Alibris, TextbookRush via Alibris
Description: Random House 2011 Hard cover Very good All orders ship SAME or NEXT business day. Expedited shipments will be received in 1-5 business days within the United States. We proudly ship to APO/FPO addresses. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! 

105. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 13.79
Dealer: Abebooks, TextbookRush
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, Incorporated] Hardcover Ships SAME or NEXT business day. We Ship to APO/FPO addr. Choose EXPEDITED shipping and receive in 2-5 business days within the United States. See our member profile for customer support contact info. We have an easy return policy. [Grandview Heights, OH, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

106. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 14.00
Dealer: Alibris, Sequitur Books via Alibris
Description: Random House 2011-07-11 hardcover Like New Size: 6x1x9; Hardcover and dust jacket. Good binding and cover. Clean, unmarked pages. 

107. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 14.00
Dealer: Alibris, Kubik Fine Books Ltd via Alibris
Description: New York Random House 2011 6th printing Hardcover Very Good 512p. A hardcover book in very good condition with a like dustjacket. Binding is cockeyed, but still tight. Light crinkle down the spine. Owner's inscription inside front cover; otherwise clean. The jacket has a 1-inch closed tear at the top of the spine, but is otherwise intact. 

108. ABSOLUTE MONARCHS: A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 14.00
Dealer: Biblio, Kubik Fine Books Ltd, ABAA
Description: New York: Random House, Date: 2011. 6th printing. Hardcover. Very Good. 512p. A hardcover book in very good condition with a like dustjacket. Binding is cockeyed, but still tight. Light crinkle down the spine. Owner's inscription inside front cover; otherwise clean. The jacket has a 1-inch closed tear at the top of the spine, but is otherwise intact. 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

109. ABSOLUTE MONARCHS: A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 14.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Kubik Fine Books Ltd., ABAA
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, New York] Hardcover 512p. A hardcover book in very good condition with a like dustjacket. Binding is cockeyed, but still tight. Light crinkle down the spine. Owner's inscription inside front cover; otherwise clean. The jacket has a 1-inch closed tear at the top of the spine, but is otherwise intact. [Dayton, OH, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

110. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 14.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Sequitur Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Hardcover and dust jacket. Good binding and cover. Clean, unmarked pages. [Boonsboro, MD, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

111. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 14.19
Dealer: Biblio, EKER Books
Description: Random House, Date: 2011-07-12. Hardcover. New. 1.5000 in x 9.4000 in x 6.6000 in. 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

112. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 14.76
Dealer: Biblio, World of Books Ltd
Description: Paperback. Very Good. ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [GB] 

113. Absolute Monarchs: a History of The Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 14.95
Dealer: Abebooks, Olmstead Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, New York, NY, USA] Hardcover First Edition The corners are sharp, no marks, some illustrations with 512 pp. The dust jacket is not price clipped and has no tears. [Port Dover, ON, Canada] [Publication Year: 2011]  

114. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Alibris, Montclair Book Center via Alibris
Description: Random House 2011 Hardcover USED Good 

115. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Biblio, Maya Jones Books
Description: Random House, Date: 2011. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Good/Good. GD Cover is rubbed and bumped along edges. Jacket, cover and pages are dam stained at the very bottom. Illustrated blac and white and color Seller Inventory #295225 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

116. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Biblio, Montclair Book Center
Description: Random House, July Date: 2011. Hardcover. USED Good. 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

117. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Maya Jones Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover First Edition GD Cover is rubbed and bumped along edges. Jacket, cover and pages are dam stained at the very bottom. Illustrated blac and white and color Seller Inventory #295225 [Cerrillos, NM, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

118. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Montclair Book Center
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House July 2011] Hardcover [Montclair, NJ, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

119. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 15.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Zach the Ripper Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Unclipped, mylar protected dust jacket. Like new condition except for minor creasing to the spine's crown and foot. A thin red ink mark on the bottom of the textblock. It looks random, but could be a remainder mark. The DJ has no tears or chips. [Gillette, WY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

120. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 15.97
Dealer: Abebooks, Irish Booksellers
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. [Portland, ME, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

121. ABSOLUTE MONARCHS: A History Of The Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 16.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Chris Fessler, Bookseller
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: NY. 2011. Random House] Hardcover First Edition red & black hardbound 8vo. 8º (octavo). dustwrapper in protective plastic book jacket cover. near fine cond. binding tight with a slight slant (cocked). covers clean. edges clean. minor wrinkles on a couple of pages. dustwrapper in fine cond. tiny tear at spine top, not price clipped. nice clean copy. no library markings or store stamps, no stickers or bookplates, no names, no remainder markings etc ~. first edition so stated . first printing ( # 1 in # line). deckled foredge (looks "hand cut"). xiii+512p. + author bio note. bibliography. list of popes & antipopes. 3 b&w maps. index. illustrations credits. biography. world history. religion. history of christianity. the papacy. the vatican. roman catholicism. politics. theology. ~A SWEEPING CHRONICLE OF ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT~AND CONTROVERSIAL~INSTITUTIONS IN HISTORY. With the papacy embattled in recent years, it is essential to have the perspective of one of the world's most accomplished historians. In Absolute Monarchs, John Julius Norwich captures nearly two thousand years of inspiration and devotion, intrigue and scandal. The men (and maybe one woman) who have held this position of infallible power over millions have ranged from heroes to rogues, admirably wise to utterly decadent. Norwich, who knew two popes and had private audiences with two others, recounts in riveting detail the histories of the most significant popes and what they meant politically, culturally, and socially to Rome and to the world. Norwich presents such brave popes as Innocent I, who in the fifth century successfully negotiated with Alaric the Goth, an invader civil authorities could not defeat, and Leo I, who two decades later tamed (and perhaps paid off) Attila the Hun. Here, too, are the scandalous figures: Pope Joan, the mythic woman said (without any substantiation) to have been elected in 855, and the infamous "pornocracy," the five libertines who were descendants or lovers of Marozia, debauched daughter of one of Rome's most powerful families. Absolute Monarchs brilliantly portrays reformers such as Pope Paul III, "the greatest pontiff of the sixteenth century," who reinterpreted the Church's teaching and discipline, and John XXIII, who in five short years starting in 1958 "opened up the Church to the twentieth century," instituting reforms that led to Vatican II. Norwich brings the story to the present day with Benedict XVI, who is coping with a global priest sex scandal. Epic and compelling, Absolute Monarchs is the astonishing story of some of history's most revered and reviled figures, men who still cast light and shadows on the Vatican and the world today. [Howell, MI, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

122. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 16.18
Dealer: AbebooksAU, Haymes & Co. Bookdealers
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover 6.54 X 1.41 X 9.52 inches; 528 pages [Kingscliff, NSW, Australia] [Publication Year: 2011]  

123. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 17.00
Dealer: Biblio, Old Goat Books
Description: New York: Random House, Date: 2011. Hardcover. NF./NF.. 6x1x9. Colour, B+W plates. 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [CA] 

124. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 17.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Old Goat Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Colour, B+W plates. [Waterloo, ON, Canada] [Publication Year: 2011]  

125. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 17.95
Dealer: Alibris, Olmstead Books via Alibris
Description: New York, NY, USA Random House 2011 First Edition Hardcover Very Good in Very Good jacket The corners are sharp, no marks, some illustrations with 512 pp. The dust jacket is not price clipped and has no tears. 

126. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 17.95
Dealer: Biblio, True Oak Books
Description: Random House. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. Date: 2011. Hardcover. 1400067154 . Excellent overall condition. No writing or visible blemishes.; 6.54 X 1.41 X 9.52 inches; 528 pages . 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

127. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 17.95
Dealer: Abebooks, True Oak Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Excellent overall condition. No writing or visible blemishes.; 6.54 X 1.41 X 9.52 inches; 528 pages [Highland, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

128. John Julius Norwich.A History of the Papacy. 2011. Random House. Hardcover with dustjacket. xiii,512pp. Absolute Monarchs
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 18.00
Dealer: ZVAB, Antiquariaat Ovidius
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Goed d1095e [Bredevoort, Netherlands] [Publication Year: 2011]  

129. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 18.99
Dealer: Alibris, h&hbooks24 via Alibris
Description: Random House 2011-07-11 hardcover Good Size: 6x1x9; 

130. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 19.20
Dealer: AbebooksUK, Nugget Box (PBFA)
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House Inc] Hardcover Dust wrapper with a little creasing, edge and corner wear, light marks/scratches. Boards with slight corner wear, Fore edge with rough cut edge. Internally Very Good - Quick flick through pages could not see any issues, clean and tidy copy in tight binding, A Very Good personal copy. Unclipped dust wrapper will be fitted with removable archive acetate film. **1028g** All orders are sent with a tracking /signature service for your peace of mind, so that you can keep tabs on your parcel. For overseas customers - on some sites we use, parcels weighing over the standard rate may incur an additional charge and we will then contact you with the additional shipping fee required. This is for the postage only we do not charge you for our time or our excellent packaging, which we are noted for. Dispatched in cardboard mailers within 24/48 Hours Mon - Friday 2pm, except bank holidays, otherwise next business day - excellent service guaranteed. AANBE15339 [Stafford, United Kingdom] [Publication Year: 2011]  

131. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 19.50
Dealer: Biblio, Elk Creek Heritage Books
Description: Random House, Date: 2011. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Hard cover in very good condition with black boards, red spine cloth, and gold gilt spine lettering. Text block clean & tight; no writings, no markings noted. Contains a section of 8 leaves / 16 pages of glossy black & white and color photographs, portraits, mosaics. Dust jacket very good; ghost of shelf & edge wear; not price clipped. * From the jacket, ""A sweeping chronicle of one of the most significant - and controversial - institutions in history."" 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

132. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 19.50
Dealer: Abebooks, ELK CREEK HERITAGE BOOKS (IOBA)
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Hard cover in very good condition with black boards, red spine cloth, and gold gilt spine lettering. Text block clean & tight; no writings, no markings noted. Contains a section of 8 leaves / 16 pages of glossy black & white and color photographs, portraits, mosaics. Dust jacket very good; ghost of shelf & edge wear; not price clipped. * From the jacket, "A sweeping chronicle of one of the most significant - and controversial - institutions in history." [TOMS RIVER, NJ, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

133. John Julius Norwich.A History of the Papacy. 2011. Random House. Hardcover with dustjacket. xiii,512pp. Absolute Monarchs
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 19.69
Dealer: Abebooks, Antiquariaat Ovidius
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Goed d1095e [Bredevoort, Netherlands] [Publication Year: 2011]  

134. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 19.95
Dealer: Alibris, Daedalus Books via Alibris
Description: NY Random House 2011 First Edition Hardcover Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket 9781400067152. A nice, bright copy.; Color Plates; 8vo; 512 pages. 

135. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 19.95
Dealer: Abebooks, Daedalus Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, NY] Hardcover First Edition A nice, bright copy. ; Color Plates; 8vo; 512 pages [Portland, OR, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

136. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 20.00
Dealer: Alibris, Bob's Book Journey via Alibris
Description: New York Random House 2011 First U.S. Edition Hardcover Near Fine in Near Fine jacket Book. 8vo-over 7¾-9¾" tall. Black hardcover, red spine with gold-color lettering, xiii, 512 pp., color illustrations, 3 maps, bibliography, list of Popes and Antipopes. Minimal wear, unmarked, tight binding, nice jacket. 1st U.S. Edition, 1st Printing. A sweeping chronicle of one of the most significant--and controversial--institutions in history. 

137. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 20.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Well Read
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, New York] Hardcover First Edition [Newtown, CT, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

138. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 20.00
Dealer: Abebooks, Bob's Book Journey
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House, New York] Hardcover First Edition Black hardcover, red spine with gold-color lettering, xiii, 512 pp., color illustrations, 3 maps, bibliography, list of Popes and Antipopes. Minimal wear, unmarked, tight binding, nice jacket. 1st U.S. Edition, 1st Printing. A sweeping chronicle of one of the most significant -- and controversial -- institutions in history. [Austin, TX, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

139. Absolute Monarchs: a History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 20.01
Dealer: Alibris, EKER Books via Alibris
Description: Random House 2011 Hardcover New in new dust jacket. 

140. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 20.01
Dealer: Abebooks, EKER BOOKS
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover [bryantown, MD, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

141. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 20.99
Dealer: AbebooksUK, Pieuler Store
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed ! The book shows some signs of wear from use but is a good readable copy. Cover in excellent condition. Binding tight. Pages in great shape, no tears. Not contain access codes, cd, DVD. [Suffolk, United Kingdom] [Publication Year: 2011]  

142. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 21.21
Dealer: Biblio, Ergodebooks
Description: Random House, Date: 2011-07-12. hardcover. Used:Good. 2011. Random House ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

143. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 21.21
Dealer: Abebooks, GoldenWavesOfBooks
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover New. Fast Shipping and good customer service [Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

144. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 22.32
Dealer: Abebooks, LibraryMercantile
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover [Humble, TX, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

145. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 24.00
Dealer: Alibris, Olympia Books via Alibris
Description: New York, NY Random House 2011 Book Club Edition. Hard cover Fine in fine dust jacket. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 512 p. Contains: Maps. Audience: General/trade. 

146. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 24.97
Dealer: Abebooks, Books Unplugged
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House] Hardcover Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition [Amherst, NY, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

147. Absolute Monarchs : A History of the Papacy
by Norwich John Julius 
Price: USD 25.00
Dealer: Biblio, De Coux and Associates Books
Description: Mississauga, ON, Canada: Random House of Canada, Limited, Date: 2011. 1st Edition 1st Printing. No Binding. Fine/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 528 p. FIRST EDITION. FIRST PRINTING. COPYRIGHT 2011. BOOK DESCRIPTION: PUBLISHERS 1/3 RED PAPER COVERED HARDBOUND, BLACK PAPER COVERED BOARDS, GILT TITLE STAMPED/EMBOSSED ON SPINE, GLOSSY COLOR ILLUSTRATED DUST JACKET. DIMENSIONS: 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 1 1/2." BOOK AND DUST JACKET CONDITION: NEAR FINE; GENTLY BUMPED REAR HEEL. A NICE ATTRACTIVE COPY. 2011. Random House of Canada, Limited ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

148. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 25.00
Dealer: Biblio, Olympia Books
Description: Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 512 p. Contains: Maps. Audience: General/trade. Date: 2011. Random House Publishing Group ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US] 

149. Absolute Monarchs : A History of the Papacy
by Norwich, John Julius 
Price: USD 25.00
Dealer: Abebooks, dC&A Books
Description: ISBN10: 1400067154, ISBN13: 9781400067152, [publisher: Random House of Canada, Limited, Mississauga, ON, Canada] First Edition 528 p. FIRST EDITION. FIRST PRINTING. COPYRIGHT 2011. BOOK DESCRIPTION: PUBLISHERS 1/3 RED PAPER COVERED HARDBOUND, BLACK PAPER COVERED BOARDS, GILT TITLE STAMPED/EMBOSSED ON SPINE, GLOSSY COLOR ILLUSTRATED DUST JACKET. DIMENSIONS: 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 1 1/2." BOOK AND DUST JACKET CONDITION: NEAR FINE; GENTLY BUMPED REAR HEEL. A NICE ATTRACTIVE COPY. [Crockett, CA, U.S.A.] [Publication Year: 2011]  

150. Absolute Monarchs A History of the Papacy
by John Julius Norwich 
Price: USD 25.50
Dealer: Biblio, Pacific Arbor
Description: With the papacy embattled in recent years, it is essential to have the perspective of one of the world's most accomplished historians. In Absolute Monarchs, John Julius Norwich captures nearly two thousand years of inspiration and devotion, intrigue and scandal. The men (and maybe one woman) who have held this position of infallible power over millions have ranged from heroes to rogues, admirably wise to utterly decadent. Norwich, who knew two popes and had private audiences with two others, recounts in riveting detail the histories of the most significant popes and what they meant politically, culturally, and socially to Rome and to the world. ISBN 1400067154 9781400067152 [US]