Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding Read!
Review: Being a Cathoic and paying particular attention to the short papacy of John Paul I, I was skeptical that there was more to be said. However Cornwell goes into great investigative depth, separating the theory from fact - and explaining each in extraordinarily interesting detail. His journalistic and religious backgrounds serve him well, but above all he's an excellent writer who knows how to make the details interesting.This book will give you tremendous insight into centuries old traditions blended with modern politics. It will strip away the "intrique" of John Paul's death and short papacy. Above all, it will be a very interesting and enjoyable read - highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Read!
Review: Being a Cathoic and paying particular attention to the short papacy of John Paul I, I was skeptical that there was more to be said. However Cornwell goes into great investigative depth, separating the theory from fact - and explaining each in extraordinarily interesting detail. His journalistic and religious backgrounds serve him well, but above all he's an excellent writer who knows how to make the details interesting. This book will give you tremendous insight into centuries old traditions blended with modern politics. It will strip away the "intrique" of John Paul's death and short papacy. Above all, it will be a very interesting and enjoyable read - highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Startling Investigatve Report
Review: Cornwell admirably and intensely approaches the task some ten years after the event, of sorting out the rumors and innuendos surrounding the sudden death of the 33-day pope, John Paul 1. All of his extensive look into this quagmire called the Vatican can be summarized by his words: "The whisperings, the rumors, the theories--farfetched, sensational, fantastic--all serve a purpose: they deflect attention from the most obvious and shameful fact of all; that John Paul I died scorned and neglected by the institution that existed to sustain him." (pg. 336) This well capsulizes what his peering into the event surfaced. Amazing inner look at this huge, off-limits to most of us, major religious institution. His analysis his thorough, he wants evidence that is credible. He sifts out things well, and strings them together to make sense, or breaks up strings which won't hold together. The stuff with the Vatican Bank and its director is shameful, and Cornwell discloses this with dignity, yet allows real inner struggles to be seen. Worth the read. His hypothesis of what occurred from his investigation is fascinating, and has all the signs and tastes of close to the truth.
Rating:
Summary: Great detective work
Review: Cornwell does a superb job of cutting through the highly-charged murder theories to get to the bottom of this tragedy. This is a balanced, truthful view of the sometimes ridiculous paranoia that runs rampant in the Vatican. This is perhaps one of the best books on showing the inner workings of the Vatican, as well as being a definitive book on the short papacy of John Paul I. If you are a progressive Catholic, or one who is comfortable with the human foibles of the clergy, you'll really enjoy this book. Some Catholic reviewers have screamed "blashphemy" in the past, but truly there is nothing in this book that is sacriligeous.
Rating:
Summary: Great detective work
Review: Cornwell does a superb job of cutting through the highly-charged murder theories to get to the bottom of this tragedy. This is a balanced, truthful view of the sometimes ridiculous paranoia that runs rampant in the Vatican. This is perhaps one of the best books on showing the inner workings of the Vatican, as well as being a definitive book on the short papacy of John Paul I. If you are a progressive Catholic, or one who is comfortable with the human foibles of the clergy, you'll really enjoy this book. Some Catholic reviewers have screamed "blashphemy" in the past, but truly there is nothing in this book that is sacriligeous.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid investigative reporting
Review: Cornwell, ten years after the death of Pope John Paul I, looks into what many have termed a "cover-up" of the true facts. He is very thorough in his efforts, taking all of the "murder/conspiracy" theories, and basically knocking them all out of contention. What he does is investigate each lead and scrap of information he receives the best he can, and is able to debunk the "murder/conspiracy" theories by providing explanations, ruling out many of the wild and conflicting theories that have been expounded over the years. This Pope was the victim of poor health, and neglect; a man not suited for the calling, who knew it, wished he headn't been chosen, and one that suffered from ill health (and prayed to die) which was not communicated to the proper people at the Vatican who could have monitored him more closely. In the end, Cornwell shows us a tragic figure, ill when chosen, overwhelmed by the responsibilities of his position, who in all probability died from the stress of it. Alas, we will never know the truth, but Cornwell makes a very strong case, and is convincing.
Rating:
Summary: Solid investigative reporting
Review: Cornwell, ten years after the death of Pope John Paul I, looks into what many have termed a "cover-up" of the true facts. He is very thorough in his efforts, taking all of the "murder/conspiracy" theories, and basically knocking them all out of contention. What he does is investigate each lead and scrap of information he receives the best he can, and is able to debunk the "murder/conspiracy" theories by providing explanations, ruling out many of the wild and conflicting theories that have been expounded over the years. This Pope was the victim of poor health, and neglect; a man not suited for the calling, who knew it, wished he headn't been chosen, and one that suffered from ill health (and prayed to die) which was not communicated to the proper people at the Vatican who could have monitored him more closely. In the end, Cornwell shows us a tragic figure, ill when chosen, overwhelmed by the responsibilities of his position, who in all probability died from the stress of it. Alas, we will never know the truth, but Cornwell makes a very strong case, and is convincing.
Rating:
Summary: A masterful account
Review: The vatican has been dominated by John Paul II for more the 20 years. What of the man before him? Little is known of John Paul I. This book delves deep into the mystery of his death after a brief 33 days in office. The smiling pope. A humble man, sourounded by the viscious politics of rome. This quick rad is an insight into the workings of the vatican and a journey through papal politics.
Rating:
Summary: A masterful account
Review: The vatican has been dominated by John Paul II for more the 20 years. What of the man before him? Little is known of John Paul I. This book delves deep into the mystery of his death after a brief 33 days in office. The smiling pope. A humble man, sourounded by the viscious politics of rome. This quick rad is an insight into the workings of the vatican and a journey through papal politics.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting real life murder mystery
Review: This a true story investigating the death of Pope John Paul 1 who died, amidst a maze of contradictory reports about time and circumstances of death a mere 33 days after becoming pope. This is one of the most compelling mysteries I have ever read. I simply couldn't put it down. Along the way you receive a glimpse into the, to me, mysterious and unknown world of papal politics and diplomacy. How fortunate, that someone who can write so clearly and invitingly obtained access to the papal archives. For anyone with an interest in history, mystery, or the papacy, I cannot recommend this more strongly.
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