For 2 000 years Catholicism the largest religion in the world and in the United States has shaped global history on a scale unequaled by any other institution But until now Catholics interested in their faith have been hard pressed to find an accessible affirmative and exciting history of the Church Triumph is that history Inside you ll discover the spectacular story of the Church from Biblical times and the early days of St Peter the first pope to the twilight years of John Paul II It is a sweeping drama of Roman legions great crusades epic battles toppled empires heroic saints and enduring faith And there are stormy controversies Dark Age skullduggery the Inquisition the Renaissance popes the Reformation the Church s refusal to accept sexual liberation and contemporary allegations like those made in Hitler s Pope and Papal Sin A brawling colorful history full of inspiring pageantry and spirited polemic Triumph will exhilarate amuse and infuri