Donna Woolfolk Cross

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

New York

Set against the turbulent events of the Dark Ages, a fictional account of the controversial figure of historical record profiles a spirited woman who, disguised as a man, rose to rule Christianity as the only woman ever to become pope. Reader's Guide included. Reissue. 25,000 first printing.

Pope Joan

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Some yellowing of pages but book looks unread. First Ballantine Books Edition, 1997.

Heavy Paperback (2 to 4 lbs)

New Jersey

Minnesota

There might be a signature on the last page

A Novel

Rebelling against medieval strictures forbidding the education of women, young Joan assumes the identity of her murdered brother and is initiated into the monastery of Fulda, where she distinguishes herself as a great Christian scholar before relocating to Rome and becoming a powerful force in religious politics. Original.

Pope Joan has all the elements one wants in a historical drama—love, sex, violence, duplicity, and long-buried secrets. Cross has written an engaging book.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review

In this international bestseller and basis for the 2009 movie of the same name, Donna Woolfolk Cross brings the Dark Ages to life in all their brutal splendor and shares the dramatic story of a woman whose strength of vision led her to defy the social restrictions of her day.

For a thousand years her existence has been denied. She is the legend that will not die—Pope Joan, the ninth-century woman who disguised herself as a man and rose to become the only female ever to sit on the throne of St. Peter. Now in this riveting novel, Cross paints a sweeping portrait of an unforgettable heroine who struggles against restrictions her soul cannot accept. 

Brilliant and talented, young Joan rebels against medieval social strictures forbidding women to learn. When her brother is brutally killed during a Viking attack, Joan takes up his cloak—and his identity—and enters the monastery of Fulda. As Brother John Anglicus, Joan distinguishes herself as a great scholar and healer. Eventually, she is drawn to Rome, where she becomes enmeshed in a dangerous web of love, passion, and politics. Triumphing over appalling odds, she finally attains the highest office in Christendom—wielding a power greater than any woman before or since. But such power always comes at a price . . . 
 
“Brings the savage ninth century vividly to life in all its alien richness. An enthralling, scholarly historical novel.”—Rebecca Fraser, author of The Brontës

North Carolina

Massachusetts

Some yellowing to pages due to age, purchase sticker on the inside cover

Texas

Wisconsin

California

Arizona

Maryland

Some wear and tear. Name was scribbled out by previous owner on front inside page. Some yellowing of inside front cover. All pictured.

Kansas

Paperback (1 to 2 lbs)

Virginia

Has some scuffing on the cover and edges, but still in pretty good condition.

Michigan

Ohio

This came from a used bookstore. There is some writing on the inside front cover and the top of the first page, as pictured. Originally published in 1997 so there is some yellowing of the pages, but it’s in great condition otherwise. 

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