‘This is a valuable study that serves to remind us of the importance of deep context and a thorough examination of historical evidence, not only in studying the papacy, but throughout the discipline.’
Jennifer Mara DeSilva, Sixteenth Century Studies vol 47:02:2016
‘We have to give a lot of credit to O’Brien’s efforts to untangle the complex political situation under Pius…. This excellent study concludes with notes, the bibliography, and the most welcome index.’
Albrecht Classen, Mediaevistik vol 29:2016
‘O’Brien’s book is a fascinating example of humanist history studied through the lens of politics. It is sure to stand at the center of future conversations about Pope Pius II’s Commentaries for years to come.’
Brian Jeffrey Maxson, Renaissance Quarterly vol 70: 01:2017
‘As a text, The Commentaries of Pope Pius II is one of the richest sources for the studies on fifteenth-century intellectual culture.’
Barry Torch, Renaissance and Reformation vol 40:02:2017
"On the basis of this study, Pius remains a fascinating figure. O’Brien should be congratulated heartily for having rekindled interest in him with such affection, and for having written about him with such clarity."
Miles Pattenden, Australian Catholic University, Recensiones Librorum
“The Commentaries of Pope Pius II (1458–1464) and the Crisis of the Fifteenth-Century Papacy offers a new and convincing interpretation of Pius’s Commentaries, which is without a doubt the richest and most discussed primary source for the fifteenth century papacy. The Commentaries, O’Brien argues, are both Pius’s apology for his early support of conciliarist ideas and his assertion of papal power. Her book thus demonstrates the essential interrelation of Church politics and humanist classical literature, placing her at the forefront of the study of the Renaissance papacy.”
Anthony D'Elia, Department of History, Queen's University
“Emily O’Brien’s work on Pope Pius II is the most interesting being done on that humanist pope in recent years. This book will be greatly welcomed by those of us interested in the Renaissance papacy, Italian political history, and the cultural heritage of the humanists.”
Thomas M. Izbicki, Rutgers University Library
