Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy
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One of the most enduring and influential of all human institutions, the papacy has also been amongst the most controversial. No one who seeks to make sense of modern issues within Christendom—or, indeed, world history—can neglect the vital shaping role of the popes. In Keepers of the Keys of Heaven, eminent religion scholar Roger Collins offers a masterful account of the entire arc of papal history—from the separation of the Greek and Latin churches to the contemporary controversies that threaten the unity of the one billion-strong worldwide Catholic community. A definitive and accessible guide to what is arguably the world’s most vaunted office, Keepers of the Keys of Heaven is essential reading for anyone interested in the role of faith in the shaping of our world. Augustine J. Curley - Library Journal Many histories of the papacy are either hagiographical or contentious. Collins's (history, Univ. of Edinburgh; Visigothic Spain 409-711; Early Medieval Europe 300-1000) book is concise, objective, and eminently readable-scholarly but accessible to lay readers. He includes the scoundrels as well as the saints but does a fine job of presenting the history without a lot of editorial commentary, deftly letting the events speak for themselves. He does not dwell on one period more than others, instead presenting a sweeping view of the succession of popes in their historical contexts. While not ignoring the pope's role as a religious leader, Collins is more concerned with showing the part that the various popes played in the wider civilization. Eamon Duffy's Saints and Sinners, another one-volume history of the papacy, is written from a critical Catholic perspective. Collins's work shows no denominational bias, so it might be a better choice for public libraries. Those seeking basic facts are still well served by the Oxford Dictionary of Popes. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries.
