Tag: Catholicism

  • The Templars by Dan Jones

    The Templars by Dan Jones

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Templars: They really need a public relations overhaul. Quick synopsis: The story of the Knights Templar which most people think are a secret organization bent on world domination. That was literally never a thing. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Most Templars were really just bankers. They protected personal belongings,…

  • The Pope at War by David Kertzer

    The Pope at War by David Kertzer

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Pope at War: I’m going to skip Mass this week. Quick synopsis: The story of Pope Pius XII during World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like #1: The Nazis took over 1,000 Jews from Rome during World War II. Only 16 survived. Fun Fact for History Nerds #2:…

  • Absolute Monarchs by John Julius Norwich

    Absolute Monarchs by John Julius Norwich

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Absolute Monarchs: Popes behaving badly. Quick synopsis: It’s about the Pope. All of them. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Pope Stephen VI put Pope Formosus on trial. The catch? Formosus was dead for 7 months. They exhumed him and had him sit there during the trial. It’s called the Cadaver…

  • The Nuns of Sant’Ambrogio by Hubert Wolf

    The Nuns of Sant’Ambrogio by Hubert Wolf

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Nuns of Sant’Ambrogio: Lesbian nuns. Don’t give me a dirty look. It’s literally true.  Quick synopsis: It’s 1858 at a convent in Rome. Stuff is about to go down.  Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Lesbian nuns. Am I appealing to the lowest common denominator? Yes. It’s still true.  Fun…

  • Elizabeth Seton by Catherine O’Donnell

    Elizabeth Seton by Catherine O’Donnell

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Elizabeth Seton: I have no idea why this woman is a saint. Quick synopsis: A biography of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born saint. For some reason. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Seton was a terrible babysitter! She was constantly trying to convert kids against their parents wishes! Even…