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Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War and Globalisation
The history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is one of spies, scandals and bad political choices. It's a shadowy, ornate world of cover-ups and hidden motives. In this book, Ambrogio Caiani lifts back the heavy velvet curtains of the chancel and peers behind the locked mahogany doors of the Vatican to reveal the shocking truths that make up a century of Catholic corruption.
For many, Catholicism's flirtation with evil has become impossible to a pope courting Nazi officials and, horribly, turning a blind eye to the Holocaust; the Vatican becoming embroiled in a series of dodgy financial dealings; the child abuse continuously perpetrated by members of the clergy. Time and time again, Catholic figures have made terrible choices in private and preached in public about goodness and morality.
This is the first history that focuses exclusively on Catholicism throughout the twentieth century, sketching not only scandalous stories of corruption but also lively portrayals of Catholicism's key characters – from a beret-clad communist revolutionary priest to the bizarre morning routine of the pope who followed a daily cold bath with dry unbuttered toast. Caiani, a critical Catholic himself, takes a frank and skeptical look at the trajectory of global Catholicism and wrestles with vital questions about the future of the church. Taking in the wider socio-political contexts of a world at war and the accumulating momentum of social progress, this brilliant history traces the evolution of the Catholic church alongside the development of our modern society right up to the election of Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
For many, Catholicism's flirtation with evil has become impossible to a pope courting Nazi officials and, horribly, turning a blind eye to the Holocaust; the Vatican becoming embroiled in a series of dodgy financial dealings; the child abuse continuously perpetrated by members of the clergy. Time and time again, Catholic figures have made terrible choices in private and preached in public about goodness and morality.
This is the first history that focuses exclusively on Catholicism throughout the twentieth century, sketching not only scandalous stories of corruption but also lively portrayals of Catholicism's key characters – from a beret-clad communist revolutionary priest to the bizarre morning routine of the pope who followed a daily cold bath with dry unbuttered toast. Caiani, a critical Catholic himself, takes a frank and skeptical look at the trajectory of global Catholicism and wrestles with vital questions about the future of the church. Taking in the wider socio-political contexts of a world at war and the accumulating momentum of social progress, this brilliant history traces the evolution of the Catholic church alongside the development of our modern society right up to the election of Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2026
About the author
Ambrogio A. Caiani
7 books10 followersAmbrogio is an academic and non-fiction writer, currently Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Kent in Canterbury and lives in Southwark. He is the author of four books which have focused on European History, especially the French Revolution, Napoleon and Catholicism's fraught relationship with modernity. His second book, To Kidnap a Pope: Napoleon and Pius VII 1800-1815, was published by Yale University Press in April 2021, just before the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death and won the 2021 Franco-British Book Prize.
His newest book is: 'Flirting with Evil, The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War and Globalisation.' It is a candid portrait of the Faustian pacts made with totalitarian dictatorships and the many scandals (both sexual and financial) that have plagued the Roman church. Despite this litany of poor choices, the book also celebrates the Second Vatican Council and its message of renewal and hope. Indeed, after a pretty dire twentieth century, thanks to the Pontificates of Francis I and Leo XIV, Catholics can look to the twenty-first century in a spirit of hope and renewal.
His newest book is: 'Flirting with Evil, The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War and Globalisation.' It is a candid portrait of the Faustian pacts made with totalitarian dictatorships and the many scandals (both sexual and financial) that have plagued the Roman church. Despite this litany of poor choices, the book also celebrates the Second Vatican Council and its message of renewal and hope. Indeed, after a pretty dire twentieth century, thanks to the Pontificates of Francis I and Leo XIV, Catholics can look to the twenty-first century in a spirit of hope and renewal.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 12, 2026
Dr Caiani's Flirting with Evil is a gripping and nuanced exploration of a complex and often uncomfortable subject. Although this is not a field with which I am wholly familiar, Dr Caiani's blend of vivid storytelling and critical moral analysis allows him to tackle serious historical questions without becoming inaccessible.
Dr Caiani's archival work, mainly out of the infamously arduous Vatican archives, is to be commended. Indeed he has brought together a wide range of both quantitative and qualitative evidence and sythesised them in such a way that he never loses sight of the human stories at the heart of the work.
The book challenges readers to think critically about morality, politics, and the power of both religious and secular authorities, impactful themes undoubtedly. Yet, such sophisticated and oftentimes dense subject matters have been rendered not only accessible but genuinely page-turning, mostly due to Dr Caiani's uniquely lively and fluid prose.
What is perhaps most impressive about this entry into Catholic historiography is Dr Caiani's seamless transition from 19th century, mainly Napoleonic-era history, into the 20th century. Indeed, the vast majority of Dr Caiani's work has focused on a notably earlier era, where socio-political and economic norms were markedly different from those explored here. Yet Flirting with Evil never feels like the work of a historian venturing beyond his comfort zone. Rather, it demonstrates the adaptability of his approach and the strength of his historical craft, producing a study that is at once rigorous, insightful, and deeply engaging.
Dr Caiani's archival work, mainly out of the infamously arduous Vatican archives, is to be commended. Indeed he has brought together a wide range of both quantitative and qualitative evidence and sythesised them in such a way that he never loses sight of the human stories at the heart of the work.
The book challenges readers to think critically about morality, politics, and the power of both religious and secular authorities, impactful themes undoubtedly. Yet, such sophisticated and oftentimes dense subject matters have been rendered not only accessible but genuinely page-turning, mostly due to Dr Caiani's uniquely lively and fluid prose.
What is perhaps most impressive about this entry into Catholic historiography is Dr Caiani's seamless transition from 19th century, mainly Napoleonic-era history, into the 20th century. Indeed, the vast majority of Dr Caiani's work has focused on a notably earlier era, where socio-political and economic norms were markedly different from those explored here. Yet Flirting with Evil never feels like the work of a historian venturing beyond his comfort zone. Rather, it demonstrates the adaptability of his approach and the strength of his historical craft, producing a study that is at once rigorous, insightful, and deeply engaging.
June 29, 2026
"Academics tend to take themselves too seriously, and fail to market themselves to the world." Caiani certainly does know how to market himself, as this provocative title might suggest. He also, as I have praised him in the past for doing, wears his bias on his sleeve; he never hesitates to deal in the conjectural, and adds a personal touch to his writing which is appreciated.
With that said, I feel like this latest book might be overstepping the line just a bit. There is plenty of hard-hitting research in this, but his prose comes across as more subjective than objective at times. Perhaps that is due to how much recent history of the book covers, which cannot be removed from contemporary politics.
This leads me to my other critique of "Flirting with Evil"— I feel like it covers too much ground. Encapsulating the entire twentieth (and first quarter of the twenty-first) century in one book is certainly ambitious, but I think a slower approach would have been better. There are so many fascinating topics which I fear he skips over in the interest of conciseness, giving some of the research presented a perfunctory or even Eurocentric feel.
With all this said, I do think this book is worth reading, and once again I think Caiani has presented a masterclass in engaging, challenging history writing. I really hope he goes back to the Age or Revolution (his favourite era and mine) for his next work!
With that said, I feel like this latest book might be overstepping the line just a bit. There is plenty of hard-hitting research in this, but his prose comes across as more subjective than objective at times. Perhaps that is due to how much recent history of the book covers, which cannot be removed from contemporary politics.
This leads me to my other critique of "Flirting with Evil"— I feel like it covers too much ground. Encapsulating the entire twentieth (and first quarter of the twenty-first) century in one book is certainly ambitious, but I think a slower approach would have been better. There are so many fascinating topics which I fear he skips over in the interest of conciseness, giving some of the research presented a perfunctory or even Eurocentric feel.
With all this said, I do think this book is worth reading, and once again I think Caiani has presented a masterclass in engaging, challenging history writing. I really hope he goes back to the Age or Revolution (his favourite era and mine) for his next work!
July 20, 2026
Ambrogio Caiani’s history uncovers a 20th-century Vatican defined by shadowy political maneuvers, deep moral compromises, and reluctant reform behind doors.
Pius X (1903–1914) launched an aggressive anti-modernist crusade, issuing Pascendi dominici gregis and deploying a clandestine intelligence network (Sodalitium Pianum) under Umberto Benigni to spy on clergy, purge progressive theologians, and enforce rigid doctrinal conformity amid intense institutional paranoia.
During WWI (1914–1918), Pope Benedict XV decried the conflict as "useless slaughter," yet national clergies routinely broke ranks to sanctify state warfare on opposing sides as godliness. Driven by acute fear of Bolshevik communism and secularism, the Church spent 1918–1929 forging dangerous alliances with right-wing nationalism across Europe to guard its traditional societal footprint.
This strategy culminated in Neo-Faustian pacts (1929–1939): the 1929 Lateran Pacts with Mussolini established Vatican sovereignty and massive financial compensation, while Cardinal Pacelli’s 1933 Reichskonkordat handed Adolf Hitler crucial international legitimacy in exchange for basic ecclesiastical protections.
During WWII (1939–1945), Pius XII maintained a controversial public silence regarding the Holocaust alongside covert rescue efforts. Seeking post-war redemption, the Second Vatican Council (1958–1978) under John XXIII and Paul VI embraced liturgical vernacularization, religious liberty, and ecumenism.
The Polish Reaction arrived with John Paul II; his fierce anti-communism helped dismantle the Eastern Bloc, yet his rigid conservatism re-centralised papal authority and severely delayed accountability for systemic abuse. Benedict XVI’s papacy (2005–2013) subsequently unravelled under global sexual abuse cover-ups, Vatican Bank money laundering scandals, and Vatileaks, culminating in his historic 2013 abdication.
Once defined by vast wealth and political dominance to flirt with evil, the modern Church now struggles to clean up its systemic failures, shifting away from worldly influence toward genuine pastoral care and solace in trying times.
Pius X (1903–1914) launched an aggressive anti-modernist crusade, issuing Pascendi dominici gregis and deploying a clandestine intelligence network (Sodalitium Pianum) under Umberto Benigni to spy on clergy, purge progressive theologians, and enforce rigid doctrinal conformity amid intense institutional paranoia.
During WWI (1914–1918), Pope Benedict XV decried the conflict as "useless slaughter," yet national clergies routinely broke ranks to sanctify state warfare on opposing sides as godliness. Driven by acute fear of Bolshevik communism and secularism, the Church spent 1918–1929 forging dangerous alliances with right-wing nationalism across Europe to guard its traditional societal footprint.
This strategy culminated in Neo-Faustian pacts (1929–1939): the 1929 Lateran Pacts with Mussolini established Vatican sovereignty and massive financial compensation, while Cardinal Pacelli’s 1933 Reichskonkordat handed Adolf Hitler crucial international legitimacy in exchange for basic ecclesiastical protections.
During WWII (1939–1945), Pius XII maintained a controversial public silence regarding the Holocaust alongside covert rescue efforts. Seeking post-war redemption, the Second Vatican Council (1958–1978) under John XXIII and Paul VI embraced liturgical vernacularization, religious liberty, and ecumenism.
The Polish Reaction arrived with John Paul II; his fierce anti-communism helped dismantle the Eastern Bloc, yet his rigid conservatism re-centralised papal authority and severely delayed accountability for systemic abuse. Benedict XVI’s papacy (2005–2013) subsequently unravelled under global sexual abuse cover-ups, Vatican Bank money laundering scandals, and Vatileaks, culminating in his historic 2013 abdication.
Once defined by vast wealth and political dominance to flirt with evil, the modern Church now struggles to clean up its systemic failures, shifting away from worldly influence toward genuine pastoral care and solace in trying times.
August 27, 2026
I don’t think you need to be Catholic, or particularly knowledgeable about Catholic history, to find plenty to get your teeth into with this new book from Dr Ambrogio Caiani, a professor at our local university (Kent). Flirting with Evil explores the Church through some of the most turbulent events of the last century and doesn’t shy away from the contradictions: an institution built around faith and morality that has, at various points, made some deeply troubling compromises.
The amount of research behind the book is apparent, but it doesn’t read like a textbook. The personalities and political manoeuvring are as interesting as the history, and there were several situations I knew very little about.
Some sections do of course require concentration and I found myself going back over a few passages, but that’s probably inevitable with a subject this big. Fascinating, sometimes unsettling and ultimately surprisingly hopeful. Ambrogioacaiani.com. #FlirtingWithEvil
The amount of research behind the book is apparent, but it doesn’t read like a textbook. The personalities and political manoeuvring are as interesting as the history, and there were several situations I knew very little about.
Some sections do of course require concentration and I found myself going back over a few passages, but that’s probably inevitable with a subject this big. Fascinating, sometimes unsettling and ultimately surprisingly hopeful. Ambrogioacaiani.com. #FlirtingWithEvil
August 15, 2026
I knew Flirting with Evil was going to be an interesting read for me, and I wasn’t wrong! As someone who is interested in Christianity and Church history, there was so much here that I found fascinating.
This looks at some of the darker and more controversial moments in the Catholic Church’s recent history, from its dealings during the Second World War to financial scandals, abuse and some very questionable decisions made behind closed doors.
What I liked most was that Caiani doesn’t simply bash the Church. He’s a Catholic himself and clearly understands the difference between faith and the actions of the people and institutions surrounding it. I found myself stopping quite a few times to think about what I’d just read — and occasionally wondering what on earth they were thinking!
Fascinating, eye-opening and sometimes pretty shocking. This was definitely my kind of history book.
This looks at some of the darker and more controversial moments in the Catholic Church’s recent history, from its dealings during the Second World War to financial scandals, abuse and some very questionable decisions made behind closed doors.
What I liked most was that Caiani doesn’t simply bash the Church. He’s a Catholic himself and clearly understands the difference between faith and the actions of the people and institutions surrounding it. I found myself stopping quite a few times to think about what I’d just read — and occasionally wondering what on earth they were thinking!
Fascinating, eye-opening and sometimes pretty shocking. This was definitely my kind of history book.
August 29, 2026
Insightful, engaging and surprisingly witty, Dr Ambrogio A. Caiani shines a spotlight onto the Catholic faith and uncovers more twists and turns in the history of the Vatican than in most popular thrillers.
As someone who was entirely new to the topic, I found Dr Ambrogio A. Caiani's writing to be not only accessible but utterly captivating. Filled with scandal after scandal, this book became a true page-turner for me and I definitely will be recommending to anyone interested in having a little flirt with evil.
As someone who was entirely new to the topic, I found Dr Ambrogio A. Caiani's writing to be not only accessible but utterly captivating. Filled with scandal after scandal, this book became a true page-turner for me and I definitely will be recommending to anyone interested in having a little flirt with evil.
August 26, 2026
A truly compelling take on a very complex subject. Well written, well researched and balanced. A must for anyone interested in Catholicism and its role in politics. Praise all round.
Read
August 27, 2026This is a look into the examination of the Catholic Church's and It’s complex history
It's an insightful read if your interested in modern history, religion, or the politics and belief
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had anticipated that this book would offer insights into countering the evils and challenges confronting the Church during both historical and contemporary periods of turmoil. Regrettably, however, I found little alignment with the author’s chosen topics for critique, and much that warranted debate.
As a conservative Roman Catholic, I wish to emphasize that this review is based solely on my personal opinions, convictions and beliefs, which are firmly rooted in Biblical teachings and Church traditions.
REVIEW: Ambrogio A Caiani’s work, while purporting to expose the Church’s “flirtation with evil,” often overlooks the heroic resilience and strategic prudence that have characterized Catholicism’s response to unprecedented threats. He touches on espionage and institutional challenges, but these must be contextualized within the Church’s unwavering opposition to totalitarian regimes such as Nazism and Communism, which sought to eradicate faith itself. For instance, Pope Pius XII’s interactions with Nazi officials are frequently misrepresented as complicity, yet historical evidence demonstrates his covert efforts saved thousands of Jews through clandestine networks and diplomatic interventions, avoiding public condemnations that could have provoked even greater Nazi reprisals. Conservative scholars argue that his so called “silence” during the Holocaust was a calculated strategy to protect lives, not indifference, as Pope Pius XII’s postwar praise from Jewish leaders such as Golda Meir attests.
The book’s focus on financial entanglements and clerical abuse scandals, while acknowledging genuine failings, fails to recognize that these issues often originated from the cultural upheavals following Vatican II, where liberal theological shifts contributed to moral laxity. The child sexual abuse crisis, which peaked during the tumultuous post conciliar era, has been addressed through rigorous reforms under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who emphasized traditional discipline and accountability, discrediting figures such as Marcial Maciel (a Mexican Catholic priest and sex offender who abused at least 60 children) and restoring integrity. This stands in stark contrast to the Church’s public teachings on morality, which have consistently upheld human dignity against the relativism of contemporary globalization.
Mr Caiani brings to life notable figures, such as revolutionary priests and popes, who exemplified the ascetic virtues central to Catholic tradition through disciplined routines like cold baths and simple meals. The book traces the Church’s steadfast adaptation to total wars and globalization, from its antiCommunist stance that contributed to the dismantling of the Soviet empire under Pope John Paul II, to its defense of life and family amidst progressive societal shifts.
Extending to the 2025 election of Pope Leo XIV, he speculates on Catholicism’s future, but he underestimates the Church’s timeless resilience, as evidenced by its growth in Africa and Asia despite Western secular decline. As a self-described “critical Catholic,” Mr Caiani’s skepticism may stem from a postmodern lens that prioritizes scandal over sanctity, yet the work inadvertently highlights how the Church, despite human imperfections, has been a bulwark against the true evils of atheism, totalitarianism and moral decay.
Positioned against broader sociopolitical contexts such as world wars and progressive movements, the book illustrates the Church’s prophetic role in countering ideologies that devalue human life. In my opinion, the liberal thematic approach likely underscores the tensions between tradition and modernity, while conservatism views the Church’s orthodoxy as its greatest strength.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#FlirtingWithEvil
As a conservative Roman Catholic, I wish to emphasize that this review is based solely on my personal opinions, convictions and beliefs, which are firmly rooted in Biblical teachings and Church traditions.
REVIEW: Ambrogio A Caiani’s work, while purporting to expose the Church’s “flirtation with evil,” often overlooks the heroic resilience and strategic prudence that have characterized Catholicism’s response to unprecedented threats. He touches on espionage and institutional challenges, but these must be contextualized within the Church’s unwavering opposition to totalitarian regimes such as Nazism and Communism, which sought to eradicate faith itself. For instance, Pope Pius XII’s interactions with Nazi officials are frequently misrepresented as complicity, yet historical evidence demonstrates his covert efforts saved thousands of Jews through clandestine networks and diplomatic interventions, avoiding public condemnations that could have provoked even greater Nazi reprisals. Conservative scholars argue that his so called “silence” during the Holocaust was a calculated strategy to protect lives, not indifference, as Pope Pius XII’s postwar praise from Jewish leaders such as Golda Meir attests.
The book’s focus on financial entanglements and clerical abuse scandals, while acknowledging genuine failings, fails to recognize that these issues often originated from the cultural upheavals following Vatican II, where liberal theological shifts contributed to moral laxity. The child sexual abuse crisis, which peaked during the tumultuous post conciliar era, has been addressed through rigorous reforms under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, who emphasized traditional discipline and accountability, discrediting figures such as Marcial Maciel (a Mexican Catholic priest and sex offender who abused at least 60 children) and restoring integrity. This stands in stark contrast to the Church’s public teachings on morality, which have consistently upheld human dignity against the relativism of contemporary globalization.
Mr Caiani brings to life notable figures, such as revolutionary priests and popes, who exemplified the ascetic virtues central to Catholic tradition through disciplined routines like cold baths and simple meals. The book traces the Church’s steadfast adaptation to total wars and globalization, from its antiCommunist stance that contributed to the dismantling of the Soviet empire under Pope John Paul II, to its defense of life and family amidst progressive societal shifts.
Extending to the 2025 election of Pope Leo XIV, he speculates on Catholicism’s future, but he underestimates the Church’s timeless resilience, as evidenced by its growth in Africa and Asia despite Western secular decline. As a self-described “critical Catholic,” Mr Caiani’s skepticism may stem from a postmodern lens that prioritizes scandal over sanctity, yet the work inadvertently highlights how the Church, despite human imperfections, has been a bulwark against the true evils of atheism, totalitarianism and moral decay.
Positioned against broader sociopolitical contexts such as world wars and progressive movements, the book illustrates the Church’s prophetic role in countering ideologies that devalue human life. In my opinion, the liberal thematic approach likely underscores the tensions between tradition and modernity, while conservatism views the Church’s orthodoxy as its greatest strength.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#FlirtingWithEvil
June 15, 2026
As I get older, I become more interested in the subjects of history and religion and the complex relationship between institutions and power, much more so than I ever was at school! Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War and Globalisation by Dr Ambrogio Caiani is a compelling and thought-provoking read. One that requires your full attention and reading over a few sittings to be able to digest the full contents.
This is not a sensationalist attack on faith. Instead, Caiani, himself a practising Catholic and respected historian and globally recognised expert, approaches the Catholic Church in the age of war and globalisation with intellectual rigour and honesty. He draws on newly available archives and decades of scholarship, and examines some of the most difficult chapters in the modern history of the Catholic Church, from its responses to fascism and war to financial and sexual scandals and the abuse crisis, while also exploring moments of reform, renewal and hope. The author's background as a historian and liberal Catholic is evident throughout the book - he is a huge expert clearly and this book would be a wonderful resource to anyone taking European history and/or Religious Studies at A Level or beyond.
While it's a very candid portrait of the Faustian pacts made with totalitarian dictatorships, the many scandals that have plagued the Roman church, and the litany of poor choices, the book also offers a positive outlook for the future, celebrating the Second Vatican Council and its message of renewal and hope. As Dr. Caiani writes, after a dire twentieth century, thanks to the Pontificates of Francis I and Leo XIV, Catholics can look to the twenty-first century in a spirit of hope and renewal.
Indeed, through reading this new book, it's clear that Caiani doesn't attempt to excuse or condemn, what he does is address the difficult but important questions about morality, institutional power and accountability, encouraging readers to understand how history shapes the present and future. Even when tackling tricky subjects, the writing remains engaging and perhaps most importantly very human.
Flirting With Evil places the Church's story within the wider political and social upheavals of the twentieth century. It's about how institutions can lose their way, but also how renewal remains possible. Whether you are Catholic, from another faith tradition, or simply curious about one of the world's most influential institutions, this is an intelligent, challenging and readable book that merits a wide audience and poses a question that takes a lot of consideration to answer: Is the Catholic Church a force for Good?
This is not a sensationalist attack on faith. Instead, Caiani, himself a practising Catholic and respected historian and globally recognised expert, approaches the Catholic Church in the age of war and globalisation with intellectual rigour and honesty. He draws on newly available archives and decades of scholarship, and examines some of the most difficult chapters in the modern history of the Catholic Church, from its responses to fascism and war to financial and sexual scandals and the abuse crisis, while also exploring moments of reform, renewal and hope. The author's background as a historian and liberal Catholic is evident throughout the book - he is a huge expert clearly and this book would be a wonderful resource to anyone taking European history and/or Religious Studies at A Level or beyond.
While it's a very candid portrait of the Faustian pacts made with totalitarian dictatorships, the many scandals that have plagued the Roman church, and the litany of poor choices, the book also offers a positive outlook for the future, celebrating the Second Vatican Council and its message of renewal and hope. As Dr. Caiani writes, after a dire twentieth century, thanks to the Pontificates of Francis I and Leo XIV, Catholics can look to the twenty-first century in a spirit of hope and renewal.
Indeed, through reading this new book, it's clear that Caiani doesn't attempt to excuse or condemn, what he does is address the difficult but important questions about morality, institutional power and accountability, encouraging readers to understand how history shapes the present and future. Even when tackling tricky subjects, the writing remains engaging and perhaps most importantly very human.
Flirting With Evil places the Church's story within the wider political and social upheavals of the twentieth century. It's about how institutions can lose their way, but also how renewal remains possible. Whether you are Catholic, from another faith tradition, or simply curious about one of the world's most influential institutions, this is an intelligent, challenging and readable book that merits a wide audience and poses a question that takes a lot of consideration to answer: Is the Catholic Church a force for Good?
July 12, 2026
An incredibly ambitious tome that struggles under the sheer scope of its premise.
I am fascinated by the concept of the Pope, of the great help and terrible harm these white men have done upon the world so this book, exploring the reigns of the popes from 1903 to present day is a welcome thing.
This book opens with an act of tremendous bravery and love for your fellow man by telling the story of Kolbe, a Catholic priest who asked to die so that another might live. That moment of pure sacrifice shows everything that is good about humanity and the church. Yet Kolbe was also the author of articles decrying the Jewish people. No man is perfect and his life (and death) perfectly sum up the concept of this book.
The Catholic Church might claim the moral high ground but is is filled with fallible people who make deals with devils, who try and save what matters to them, who make mistakes.
Often times, this book makes for uncomfortable reading. The Catholic Church failed millions of people across the globe in a variety of ways, but this is not an attack on the church during this last century but a discussion as to how it all came about.
Its a very detailed, ambitious book and tries to cover everything that happened globally and it is simply too huge a topic. A worthy read.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I am fascinated by the concept of the Pope, of the great help and terrible harm these white men have done upon the world so this book, exploring the reigns of the popes from 1903 to present day is a welcome thing.
This book opens with an act of tremendous bravery and love for your fellow man by telling the story of Kolbe, a Catholic priest who asked to die so that another might live. That moment of pure sacrifice shows everything that is good about humanity and the church. Yet Kolbe was also the author of articles decrying the Jewish people. No man is perfect and his life (and death) perfectly sum up the concept of this book.
The Catholic Church might claim the moral high ground but is is filled with fallible people who make deals with devils, who try and save what matters to them, who make mistakes.
Often times, this book makes for uncomfortable reading. The Catholic Church failed millions of people across the globe in a variety of ways, but this is not an attack on the church during this last century but a discussion as to how it all came about.
Its a very detailed, ambitious book and tries to cover everything that happened globally and it is simply too huge a topic. A worthy read.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
April 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This was a really interesting insight into a topic that I am less than familiar with. The history of the Catholic Church is clearly storied, and there’s no real background on their connection with some of the darker times.
I do feel there were some historical facets that could have been covered, but they were omitted in favour of some deeper dives on others. I do think that the section on Nazism was particularly interesting, and it covers some parts of the history that I wasn’t as aware of.
I do think this was a dense book in a lot of ways, and it was definitely interesting, but it does demand the reader’s attention to keep up with all the critical players. I do feel that there were some things that we could have seen a little bit more detail or perhaps some more moral assessments, but I think this is a really important piece of work.
In addition, I think this is a great precursor to a more detailed discussion on the Catholic Church. We need to get to a place where we’re more comfortable dealing with the questions the church raises as an institution, and this book goes aways to helping that discussion along.
This was a really interesting insight into a topic that I am less than familiar with. The history of the Catholic Church is clearly storied, and there’s no real background on their connection with some of the darker times.
I do feel there were some historical facets that could have been covered, but they were omitted in favour of some deeper dives on others. I do think that the section on Nazism was particularly interesting, and it covers some parts of the history that I wasn’t as aware of.
I do think this was a dense book in a lot of ways, and it was definitely interesting, but it does demand the reader’s attention to keep up with all the critical players. I do feel that there were some things that we could have seen a little bit more detail or perhaps some more moral assessments, but I think this is a really important piece of work.
In addition, I think this is a great precursor to a more detailed discussion on the Catholic Church. We need to get to a place where we’re more comfortable dealing with the questions the church raises as an institution, and this book goes aways to helping that discussion along.
August 26, 2026
I wasn't sure what to expect from Flirting with Evil when it first landed on my desk to read a few months ago, pre-publication, and I'll admit that a substantial history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century sounded as though it might be a touch heavy going. It wasn't. It was fascinating. Ambrogio Caiani has a skill for bringing people, politics and extraordinary moments in history to life, while making a complicated subject accessible and very, very relevant.
There are parts of this book that are deeply uncomfortable to read, particularly when it comes to the Church's relationships with authoritarian regimes and its handling of abuse and scandal. There's a balance in the book though. Caiani is critical where it is deserved (in my opinion), but this doesn't feel like a book written to score points against Catholicism. There is affection, even admiration here too, and a desire to consider and pose the wider question about how an institution with such enormous influence can learn from the mistakes of its past.
I came away knowing considerably more than I did before.
There are parts of this book that are deeply uncomfortable to read, particularly when it comes to the Church's relationships with authoritarian regimes and its handling of abuse and scandal. There's a balance in the book though. Caiani is critical where it is deserved (in my opinion), but this doesn't feel like a book written to score points against Catholicism. There is affection, even admiration here too, and a desire to consider and pose the wider question about how an institution with such enormous influence can learn from the mistakes of its past.
I came away knowing considerably more than I did before.
July 20, 2026
This book very easily could have gotten five stars from me, except that it's really very information dense, which makes it hard to read in the way that it's currently structured. This is because each chapter is structured around a time period, but Caiani goes back and forth between locations and topics quite quickly and it confused me several times so that I had to reread. I was honestly about to DNF around 25% until he started to get into the rise of the Nazi regime and fascism across Europe.
Which isn't to say that the book isn't good---it is pretty good. Caiani writes marvelous prose and has well-researched every part of this book. There are many parts of exceptional interest to me. Additionally, I don't mind that Caiani goes on tangents every once in a while because he does so in an entertaining way.
Which isn't to say that the book isn't good---it is pretty good. Caiani writes marvelous prose and has well-researched every part of this book. There are many parts of exceptional interest to me. Additionally, I don't mind that Caiani goes on tangents every once in a while because he does so in an entertaining way.
August 26, 2026
Caiani’s book Flirting with Evil is a fascinating look into the role of the Catholic Church alongside the rise of global powers. I will be honest I was interested in the premise of the book but wasn’t ready for how invested I would become. Caiani’s book is wonderfully written and this makes you want to keep reading. Their style of writing also takes big religious, political and ethical questions and situations but makes them accessible and easy to digest.
This is probably one of the most informative and enjoyable books I’ve read in recent years and I loved how it makes the reader think and consider their position in this wider web between religious and secular. As someone who was baptised Catholic but has certainly changed course I found it really eye-opening as well. A must read in today’s society.
This is probably one of the most informative and enjoyable books I’ve read in recent years and I loved how it makes the reader think and consider their position in this wider web between religious and secular. As someone who was baptised Catholic but has certainly changed course I found it really eye-opening as well. A must read in today’s society.
June 8, 2026
Dr Caiani is, by all measures, an excellent writer, academic and scholar. The book itself is brimming with fascinating details, and the archival research undertaken demonstrates an attention to detail that far exceeds other books in this field. I cannot stress enough how brilliantly the book is put together; offering a passionate discussion of the nature of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any and all people who have an interested in Catholicism and its evolving position within society, on top of the Church's navigation of various crises that have plagued it.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any and all people who have an interested in Catholicism and its evolving position within society, on top of the Church's navigation of various crises that have plagued it.
August 25, 2026
Time and time again the Catholic Church has found itself in the headlines with it's corruption and compromises. Caiani's book further bolstered those rumours and cover-ups giving them more credibility.
The content is dense, and sent me scurrying down the rabbit hole on more than one occasion.
I found it rather a heavy book both in stature and pages, but is perfect as a coffee table book you can pick up any time you like rather than a single sitting read.
It's an interesting, well researched, and somewhat eye-opening delve into the otherwise hidden machinations of the Roman Catholic Church.
The content is dense, and sent me scurrying down the rabbit hole on more than one occasion.
I found it rather a heavy book both in stature and pages, but is perfect as a coffee table book you can pick up any time you like rather than a single sitting read.
It's an interesting, well researched, and somewhat eye-opening delve into the otherwise hidden machinations of the Roman Catholic Church.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Heavy on the detail but very well written and researched.
Heavy on the detail but very well written and researched.
August 25, 2026
🩵 Blurb -
The history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is one of spies, scandals and bad political choices. It's a shadowy, ornate world of cover-ups and hidden motives. In this book, Ambrogio Caiani lifts back the heavy velvet curtains of the chancel and peers behind the locked mahogany doors of the Vatican to reveal the shocking truths that make up a century of Catholic corruption.
For many, Catholicism's flirtation with evil has become impossible to ignore: a pope courting Nazi officials and, horribly, turning a blind eye to the Holocaust; the Vatican becoming embroiled in a series of dodgy financial dealings; the child abuse continuously perpetrated by members of the clergy. Time and time again, Catholic figures have made terrible choices in private and preached in public about goodness and morality.
This is the first history that focuses exclusively on Catholicism throughout the twentieth century, sketching not only scandalous stories of corruption but also lively portrayals of Catholicism's key characters - from a beret-clad communist revolutionary priest to the bizarre morning routine of the pope who followed a daily cold bath with dry unbuttered toast. Caiani, a critical Catholic himself, takes a frank and sceptical look at the trajectory of global Catholicism and wrestles with vital questions about the future of the church. Taking in the wider socio-political contexts of a world at war and the accumulating momentum of social progress, this brilliant history traces the evolution of the Catholic church alongside the development of our modern society right up to the election of Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
💚 Review -
This was such an interesting read. It's obvious that the author has done their research for the book as the attention to detail was spot on. For anyone who wants to learn about how the Catholic Church fits in with today's society then this is the book for you. There are a few uncomfortable and sensitive subjects but the author handed these parts well. There were a lot of parts that made me think. I highly recommend it and I would read more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Literally PR, the author Ambrogio A. Caiani and the publisher Head Of Zeus for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is one of spies, scandals and bad political choices. It's a shadowy, ornate world of cover-ups and hidden motives. In this book, Ambrogio Caiani lifts back the heavy velvet curtains of the chancel and peers behind the locked mahogany doors of the Vatican to reveal the shocking truths that make up a century of Catholic corruption.
For many, Catholicism's flirtation with evil has become impossible to ignore: a pope courting Nazi officials and, horribly, turning a blind eye to the Holocaust; the Vatican becoming embroiled in a series of dodgy financial dealings; the child abuse continuously perpetrated by members of the clergy. Time and time again, Catholic figures have made terrible choices in private and preached in public about goodness and morality.
This is the first history that focuses exclusively on Catholicism throughout the twentieth century, sketching not only scandalous stories of corruption but also lively portrayals of Catholicism's key characters - from a beret-clad communist revolutionary priest to the bizarre morning routine of the pope who followed a daily cold bath with dry unbuttered toast. Caiani, a critical Catholic himself, takes a frank and sceptical look at the trajectory of global Catholicism and wrestles with vital questions about the future of the church. Taking in the wider socio-political contexts of a world at war and the accumulating momentum of social progress, this brilliant history traces the evolution of the Catholic church alongside the development of our modern society right up to the election of Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
💚 Review -
This was such an interesting read. It's obvious that the author has done their research for the book as the attention to detail was spot on. For anyone who wants to learn about how the Catholic Church fits in with today's society then this is the book for you. There are a few uncomfortable and sensitive subjects but the author handed these parts well. There were a lot of parts that made me think. I highly recommend it and I would read more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Literally PR, the author Ambrogio A. Caiani and the publisher Head Of Zeus for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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