The Pope's Legion: The Multinational Fighting Force That Defended the Vatican - Hardcover

Coulombe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0230600581 ISBN 13: 9780230600584

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009

Synopsis

With Arthurian grandeur the Papal Zouaves marched into Italy in the mid-nineteenth century, summoned by the Pope under siege as the Wars of the Risorgimento raged. Motivated by wanderlust, a sense of duty and the call of faith, some 20,000 Catholic men from around the world rallied to Vatican City to defend her gates against Sardinian marauders. Volunteers came from France, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Austria, and many other countries, including the United States. The battles that ensued lasted over 10 years, among a shifting array of allies and enemies and are among history's most fascinating yet largely overlooked episodes. Napoleon, Pius IX, and Bismarck all make appearances in the story, but at the center were the Zouaves - steeped in a knightly code of honor, and unflinching in battle as any modern warrior - as the Church they vowed to defend to the death teetered at the brink of destruction.

About this title

Review:

'An enjoyable, galloping romp to be highly recommended.' - James Kelly, Catholic Times

'The Papal Zouaves constitute a fascinating, if previously neglected, chapter of the Church's history. The Pope's Legion tells a thrilling story superbly, and with the literary elegance and historical expertise we expect from Charles Coulombe.' - Thomas E. Woods, Jr, Ph.D., bestselling author of How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization  
 
'In The Pope's Legion Charles Coulombe brings to life one of history's overlooked and more colorful chapters, evoking deeds of honor, sacrifice, and the deepest impulses of faith.' - H. Paul Jeffers, bestselling author of Freemasons and The Napoleon of New York  
 
'Charles Coulombe's fast-paced, compelling book, is a fitting tribute to the many Catholics from all over the world who offered their lives to preserve the independence of the Holy Father. It is a monument to their faith and to their ideals and a must-read for anyone interested in Papal history.' -Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro Carámbula, Director, Human Life International, Rome  
 
'This is a unique, original look at an often neglected part of our history. It's a good read - meticulously researched, well written, and full of exciting narrative detail.' - John Prizer, former National Catholic Register film critic and film and television producer  
 
'Like his earlier book on the papacy, this volume by Charles Coulombe is thoroughly researched, attractively written and historically accurate.' - Msgr. Francis J. Weber, Archivist for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and author of numerous historical works
 
'Charles Coulombe raises the almost forgotten banner of the army which came to be called the Papal Zouaves in this well-researched study, as replete with colour as the uniforms they wore to fend off attacks against the Holy See.' - John Hinton, Catholic Herald

Book Description:

The adventures of the remarkable men who fought an epic battle to save the Vatican

About this edition

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0230600581
• ISBN 13: 9780230600584
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272