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Mistress of the Vatican: The True Story of Olimpia Maidalchini: The Secret Female Pope
Born without a dowry, nearly forced into a convent, and later married off to a man she didn't love, Olimpia Maidalchini vowed never to be poor, powerless, or beholden to any man again. Instead, using her wits, Olimpia became the unofficial ruler of the most powerful institution in the world: the Roman Catholic Church.
The Church firmly states that women must be excluded
...morePaperback, 452 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Harper Perennial
(first published August 12th 2008)
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"MISTRESS OF THE VATICAN,"
by Eleanor Herman
When I'm at the bookstore or library I tend to pick up anything that has "Vatican" in the title, so I couldn't pass up something as titillating as "Mistress of the Vatican" when publisher William Morrow offered a review copy.
The jacket cover suggested hanky-panky with the bare-shouldered portrait of a beautiful woman with a painting of St. Peter's Basilica and Square covering her, uh, feminine ...more
by Eleanor Herman
When I'm at the bookstore or library I tend to pick up anything that has "Vatican" in the title, so I couldn't pass up something as titillating as "Mistress of the Vatican" when publisher William Morrow offered a review copy.
The jacket cover suggested hanky-panky with the bare-shouldered portrait of a beautiful woman with a painting of St. Peter's Basilica and Square covering her, uh, feminine ...more
Book reveals one of many sordid chapters in the history of the Catholic Church. Set in 17th century Italy, the story weaves real historically-documented characters, places, events, and times when the church was nothing but a vehicle to fulfill family ambitions and enrich family coffers. I loved and hated all the characters who robbed, deceived, bribed, and manipulated each other (the powerful) and abused their authority over the masses. It wasn't the holiest who got to be Pope, but the wealthies...more
I think the title is a little misleading. And, the jacket illustration, though it's rather lovely. I'd imagine, though, the bust of Olimpia on the cover wouldn't gain as much attention. As the photo of it in the book was, well, she was fierce looking, but not in that idea of sex appeal. Just, you know, regular fierce.
I did find the book to be very interesting overall. Not just because it was a look inside the Vatican during the 1600s, but because it was a look at social class and ...more
I did find the book to be very interesting overall. Not just because it was a look inside the Vatican during the 1600s, but because it was a look at social class and ...more
A friend of mine described this as a "jaw-dropping read". I couldn't agree more, and not for any of the reasons I expected. The author is clearly enamored of his subject for her intelligence, audacity and strength of will. Unfortunately, he seems less effected by her complete lack of moral or ethical fiber.
I do not believe that I am either ignorant of church history or naive about the perils of organized religion. Nevertheless, this book's very modern perspective on 1...more
I do not believe that I am either ignorant of church history or naive about the perils of organized religion. Nevertheless, this book's very modern perspective on 1...more
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In all my years of Catholic school, I have never been exposed to the secret life of the Vatican in such detail. This book is truly stunning. To think Olympia Maidalchini could rise and fall to power so many times over the course of her life is just crazy. She was a celebrity of her time.
There were many people who told Olympia that women could not be included in church leadership positions. But she remained at the very top for many years as Pope Innocent X's key consultant and possibl...more
There were many people who told Olympia that women could not be included in church leadership positions. But she remained at the very top for many years as Pope Innocent X's key consultant and possibl...more
I enjoy off beat historical moments and this one was outside my normal boundaries. In 1600's Italy, Olimpia Maidalchini was a woman to reckon with. She refused to obey her father when he ordered her and her two younger sisters to join a convent. She had a head for figures and an interest in legal matters, which are hardly womanly attributes. She had a very long memory for slights and disagreements--and a way of subtly and not so subtly redressing any wrongs done to her and her family. For y...more
The subject of the book was fascinating, but the author never really brought her to life for me. What I enjoyed the most was the portrayal of the papal court in the 17th century. The way corruption and nepotism were institutionalized in the Vatican of the time was enlightening. I'm glad I read it because it's helped me to understand the Protestant Reformation in a way I never did before.
My, oh my, the intrigues and politics that were (maybe still are?) involved in the Catholic Church of the 17th century! Olimpia Maidalchini marries into a family much better off and socially situated than her own. Immediately, she and her brother-in-law take an instant liking to each other (it's usually the opposite, isn't it?) and become soulmates. For most of the rest of their lives, the two live in adjoining apartments, both while Olimpia is married and then when she is a widow. Olimpia n...more
This is interesting, but I don't think I have time to read it now. Plus, it does the irritating thing where it gives a bunch of background info but fails to cite the source. I hate that. (It does have some evidence for 8-pointed stars as existing before 1600 ... which is of interest to very few people. But anyway.)
Mistress of the Vatican was my first foray into the world of non-fiction for pleasures sake. It was a wonderful book to start with. Eleanor Herman did an amazing job of bringing historical characters to life. Her straightforward description of each personality (based on numerous legitimate sources) made every character seem like someone I might know today.
I found the story of Olimpia Maidalchini to be fascinating. What an amazing woman she was! She was intelligent, headstrong, and am...more
I found the story of Olimpia Maidalchini to be fascinating. What an amazing woman she was! She was intelligent, headstrong, and am...more
This book was very interesting. It focuses on the life of Olimpia Maidalchini who many considered to be the first female pope. Olimpia is a headstrong woman who goes against her family's wishes to create her own destiny and subsequent rise to wealth and power. However, she is also greedy, vengeful, and at times, even shameless in regard to her ambitions.
The book is set in the early to mid-1600s. It amazed me how politics and money ran the papacy from the pope's election, to who...more
The book is set in the early to mid-1600s. It amazed me how politics and money ran the papacy from the pope's election, to who...more
Olimpia was born into a family who despised her. Her father wanted to send her, along with her sisters, to a convent so he didn't have to pay for their dowries when they had to marry. Olimpia could made her life easier by obeying her father like almost all the women in that century. But she chose to disobey her father and be strong to her self, so instead, she made her life harder and accepted all kinds of beating and punishment from her father so she could be independent and follow her self and...more
I'm pretty sure this is nonfiction with some embellishment. Even if 2/3 of it is true, it's cool. I like the small details. Evidently, in the 17th century, as soon as the pope died servants used to steal all of his clothes and furniture -- sometimes even his shoes when his body was on display in St. Peter's. Not for religious reasons. The pope typically hijacked as much church wealth as possible during his tenure, so servants weren't shy about taking stuff once he was dead. After all, the next p...more
During her lifetime Olimpia was an important and well known woman with power, money and ambitions. Today she is all but forgotten. Even though she managhed to rule the most antifemale institution of her time - the Vatican. I had been walking past this book numerous times and finally decided to check it out. It was thorough and dealt with not only Olimpia and her life but also her time and the workings of the Vatican. I was however a little disappointed at the writing; it was full of repeatings a...more
This was difficult reading because it was so crammed with names and relationships and intrigues--as complicated as the political power structure surrounding Olimpia Maidalchini and Pope Innocent X. Apparently, Maidalchini was the sister-in-law and mistress of Gianbattista Pamphilli, and she spent thirty years conniving and playing politics to make him Pope Innocent X. Later, in reaction to her greed and machinations, he became her Frankenstein as he turned on her. Most amazing about the t...more
Katrina
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Adults who are interested in women in history
Shelves:
adult,
non-fiction
This book was interesting. It focuses on the life of Olimpia Maidalchini who many considered to be the first female pope. Olimpia is a headstrong woman who goes against her family's wishes to create her own destiny and subsequent rise to wealth and power. However, she is also greedy, vengeful, and at times, even shameless in regard to her ambitions.
The book is set in the early to mid-1600s. It amazed me how politics and money ran the papacy from the pope's election, to who was made ...more
The book is set in the early to mid-1600s. It amazed me how politics and money ran the papacy from the pope's election, to who was made ...more
This was one of the most fascinating books I have read since "The Worst Hard Times." It is about Olimpia Pamphili who was sister-in-law to Pope Innocent X (1644-55) and was a very powerful woman in a male-oriented church and society. It is a true story with lots of note to document sources. Amazing to me how many documents were maintained over the centuries. If you are interested in history in the 1600s, or Catholic church history, you will enjoy this as it includes so much about l...more
What an eye-opener to vatican life in the 1600's! Olimpia was sister-in-law and mistress to Pope Innocent X. She made all the decisions for him.
In those days popes weren't very respected after they died. Their bodies were left out in the rain, etc. This one was stuffed in a janitor's clost and nibbled on by rats.
I learned much info about the culture and activities of that day.
In those days popes weren't very respected after they died. Their bodies were left out in the rain, etc. This one was stuffed in a janitor's clost and nibbled on by rats.
I learned much info about the culture and activities of that day.
I wanted to like this book. I wanted to read this book. But there is just not enough time for half-assed books. For starters ... the author needs to decide whether to just tell the story, or tell you that they are telling you a story that could be this way, another way, or maybe even something else. The author flips back and forth, almost letting you pretend it's a decent read and getting into the story, but no wait, just at that moment the author pops in telling you that that's how it could...more
She is the original womens-libber. She found the strength to defy the strongest traditions of 17th-century Italy at a very young age, and through her determination and sheer will she was able to weild true power that was astounding, even by today's standards. The book offers incredible insight into the creation of "modern" Rome, as well.
A really interesting story about Olimpia Maidalchini, who was the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X. She was apparently the real power behind his papacy. Back in the 17th century, getting a pope in your family was a path to vast wealth. All that money led to a lot of corruption and this book is full of it.
Eleanor Herman brings the story of nearly-forgotten Olimpia Maidalchini to life in this lively and informative biography. It's a shame that such an amazing woman has been all but forgotten. Hooray for Olimpia--she wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted, even in one of the most restrictive of times and places. Herman illustrates the court of Rome in a vibrant, amusing way that makes all the papal politics easy to remember.
This book was awesome. It is the story of Pope Innocent the X and his widowed sister-in-law that was allegedly his mistress. That is just the side story. Of more interest was the power she held in the vatican. If cardinals wanted something they came to see Olimpia, not the Pope. Worth the read!
I met Eleanor Herman at a book lecture in Asbury Park NJ. She was amazing she wore "widow's weeds " a traditional women in mourning outfit from the 1600's when she presented the story of Olimpia Maidalchini. It is a great read if you like exiciting nonfiction characters in history.
Excellent story of an amazing woman, not always in a good way, and an amazing time in history. This is an engaging way to learn some church history, too and a lot of it is quite surprising, even to those who think they have an idea of how powerful the Catholic church was.
I enjoyed this book overall. My only criticism is that are certain points in the book it almost felt like I was reading historical fiction rather than non-fiction. This isn't bad by itself but it makes you wonder which part is fact and which part is author speculation based on the evidence. Other than that I really liked the book. It gave an interesting insight into the 17th century Catholic Church and all the politics and intrigue that occured. Olimpia Maidalchini may not have been the nic...more
Loved it. The book tells the life story of Olimpia Maidalchini and her influence on the reign of her brother-in-law as Pope. Tells a lot about what it was like to live in Rome during the 1600s. One of the best parts was reading about how beautiful and powerful this woman was seen as and then when you get to the middle of the book there are a bunch of pictures and paintings and you get to see that this woman was actually quite ugly. Great read!
Some of the best non-fiction I've read in a long time. Going into the book knowing very little about 17th century Catholicism and nothing about Olimpia Maidalchini, this book reads like a novel while quoting primary sources and informing about the individuals involved and the culture of Rome.
This was certainly a story I never heard about before, and it was really interesting to read how kingmaker Olimpia managed to run what was at the time the most powerful organization in the world through sheer force of personality and her own shrewdness and despite the church's official stance on women. She in essence created Pope Innocent X, her own brother-in-law, by advising his career and striking the necessary bargains with the right people, and continued to direct from behind the scenes fo...more
Incredible woman, incredible story. So well told, very readable. I wish I had known about Olimpia Maidalchini when I was in Rome, so I could have visited her homes and art collections. Fabulous book. Highly reccommended
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New York Times best-seller Eleanor Herman offers a rare combination of skills for a historian – her research is intensely scholarly, yet she writes the story in a colorful, witty manner.
“History is so fascinating that it never has to be presented in a boring way,” she explains. “These were flesh and blood people, just like you and me, facing war and plague, falling in love, living amo...more
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“History is so fascinating that it never has to be presented in a boring way,” she explains. “These were flesh and blood people, just like you and me, facing war and plague, falling in love, living amo...more
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