Judith Hook

In the 1550s, writes Judith Hook, one of the last of the independent Italian republics was overwhelmed by the forces of the Holy Roman Empire.

Between 1285 and 1355, writes Judith Hook, the turbulent Sienese enjoyed a period of unaccustomed peace.

Judith Hook profiles the genius of Rome during the great Catholic Reformation.

Judith Hook describes how, during the sixteenth century gifted churchmen in Italy tried, against crosscurrents of foreign influence, to heal the divisions of Christianity

St. Catherine of Siena lived out her whole life with a profound belief in the spiritual value of lay experience, explains Judith Hook.