Against The Grain, or Against Nature-Joris-Karl Huysmans

In this volume of Creighton's history, the popes conduct themselves as Italian princes. Pope Alexander VI's daughter, Lucretia Borgia, becomes a marital pawn in her father's diplomatic plots, while his son, Cesare, fights ruthlessly for Italian territory. Julius II, as much general as pope, finds time to bully Michelangelo into frescoing the Sistine Chapel. His successor, Leo X intrigues faithlessly among the European powers, oblivious to the threat of Martin Luther's call for reform of the Church in head and members. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)