Holy See, Unholy Me: 1,000 Days in Rome

by Tim Fischer

Tales from my time as Australian Ambassador to the Vatican

In 2008 Tim Fischer, former leader of the national party, was picked to be the first Australian resident ambassador to the Holy See by Kevin Rudd. He found himself in a singular position - observer, active participant in the dramas of a most powerful city state. With his newly acquired dinner-party diplomacy, Tim navigated the world of political and religious leaders - and scandals besetting the church - and lived to tell the tales. In entertaining style he reflects on his 1000 days in Rome and on matters of global and religious significance.

Genres: Biography, Australia

309 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually enjoy memoirs. You get the sense of the writer's personality and attitudes.

Not with this one. It is as dry and as boring as a Cabinet report on the price of cabbages in Cobram.

In one word: dull.

[Kate Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quietly enjoyable.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of anecdotes and tidbits from the author's time as Australian Ambassador to the Holy See. Information on the diplomatic intrigue and drama he encountered is almost invisible, with a clear focus on the PR-side of diplomacy. There were a number of unforgivable editing mistakes (e.g. "Cypress" not "Cyprus", "Former Republic of Macedonia" instead of "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia") and double-printed words that let the book down.

[Tc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the tales to be told but have to admit I found the editing a little bit painful. Well done Tim on sharing an insight into many different aspects of the Holy See, but I do think it lacked some assistance with the way it was all put together and checked over.

[Jeannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the Vatican and diplomatic life - but needed a good editor