The Illustrated History of the Popes: An Authoritative Guide to the Lives and Works of the Popes of the Catholic Church, with 450 Images, Hardcover/Charles Phillips

For two thousand years, the pope has been the acknowledged head of the Roman Catholic Church. As the direct successor of St Peter, he holds a unique position, ruling over millions of Catholics worldwide. This comprehensive guide to the 266 men who have been pope provides a timeline of the history of the papacy, and details each pope's life, influence and the way they have shaped the church. Divided into three historical sections - the First Popes; the Crusades and the Reformation; and Into the Modern Era - this lavishly illustrated reference book will fascinate and inform anyone interested in the history of Catholicism. About the Author: Charles Phillips is an established writer of popular history and the author of The Illustrated History of Knights and the Golden Age of Chivalry, and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Kings and Queens of Britain and Ireland (both Lorenz Books). He was a key writer of Time Life's Myth and Mankind series, which blends mythology with the art and history of ancient cultures.