An investigative look at the defining struggles of the modern Catholic Church, told through the lives of the last seven popes—carrying us from the wake of World War II up through the present day and providing essential context around the most pressing issues faced by Pope Francis.
Sharp portrayals ... Compelling ... The book hits its stride ... Nothing is spared in recounting their odious criminal acts and the cowardly machinations of the church’s leadership to hide them.
A critical study ... This isn’t a work of theology or spirituality or grand pronouncements, though Shenon has a point of view. It’s a work of reporting ... Lively, not lachrymose.
Sprawling ... While Shenon’s book is exemplary at detecting and documenting those points of hypocrisy...it doesn’t always explore the underlying reasons some in the Church may oppose certain changes ... Impressive.
