The idea of decadent Pope living like a king and throwing lavish banquets and elaborate feasts may be hard to stomach, but that is what is being offered her. Part cookbook, part religious history, this account of papal eating and drinking habits reveals that many protectors of the faith were in fact extravagant gluttons with official tasters to protect against poisoning. There are strange and wonderful recipes here, including favourites such as baked larks, calf's testicles and whole peacock in its feathers. A couple of pope's were, pparently, so overindulgent when it came to food that they died of indigestion. When dealing with the more frugal popes however, the connection with food and wine, high living and fine dining, is harder to reconcile. As far as the present pope's eating habits go, the authors simply offer recipes they think he may enjoy, such as a thick Polish soup and a hearty red wine. A fun trip through religious gastronomy.