Praise for David Kertzer and Prisoner of the Vatican: Kertzer once again proves himself a truly compelling historian.
A professor of anthropology and Italian studies at Brown University, he lives in Providence, Rhode Island..
Kertzer is author of several illuminating works of history, including The Popes Against the Jews and The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, a National Book Award finalist. -- Seattle Times David I.
Kertzer describes intrigue, spying, disinformation, and public relations campaigns worthy of any contemporary spy novel. . .
Kertzer illuminates one of history\'s darker corners." -- Providence Journal Extraordinary . . . -- Washington Post "A suspenseful and even captivating read .
A gripping account of this little-known story.
No one who reads this eye-opening book will ever think of Italy, or the Vatican, in quite the same way again.
The action set in motion decades of political intrigues that hinged on such fascinating characters as Garibaldi, King Viktor Emmanuel, Napoleon III, and Chancellor Bismarck.
When Italy\'s armies seized the Holy City and claimed it for the Italian capital, Pope Pius IX, outraged, retreated to the Vatican and declared himself a prisoner, calling on foreign powers to force the Italians out of Rome.
Drawing on a wealth of secret documents long buried in the Vatican archives, Kertzer reveals a fascinating story of outrageous accusations, mutual denunciations, raucous demonstrations, and secret dealings. -- Tracy Kidder David Kertzer\'s absorbing history presents an astonishing account of the birth of Modern Italy and the clandestine politics behind the Vatican\'s last stand in the battle between church and the newly created Italian state. -- Kevin Madigan, associate professor, Harvard Divinity School This book is a gift to everyone who welcomes the emergence of buried history, and a boon to anyone who has ever wondered about the origins of the wonderful, tenuously unified place called Modern Italy.
Kertzer is a national treasure and his latest book another masterpiece. -- John Guare As magically spellbinding as it is enlightening, replete with colorful characters and complex international and ecclesiastical politics and intrigue.
If you love Italy, if you love Rome, this book is essential reading. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review A chilling and timely warning of what happens when religious power becomes synonymous with political power. from a masterful, controversial scholar. . . -- Publishers Weekly, starred review [A] rousing tale . history writing at its best. . . -- America, the National Catholic Weekly Riveting and fast-paced . filled with telling anecdotes and colorful descriptions of the various characters involved in the struggle. . . -- Entertainment Weekly Lively . -- James Carroll Fascinating. -- Alfred Uhry Kertzer\'s careful scholarship and lucid writing make the human character of this religious institution quite clear.
And it has astounding contemporary relevance. -- André Aciman Prisoner of the Vatican reads like exciting fiction.
Praise for David Kertzer and Prisoner of the Vatican: Kertzer once again proves himself a truly compelling historian
