Nancy Bisaha Ordre des livres

The book explores Pope Pius II's pivotal role in shaping the idea of Europe and European identity. It traces his journey from a young secretary in Northern Europe to his influential position as pope, highlighting how his experiences and writings contributed to the evolving concept of what it means to be 'European'. Through this examination, the author delves into the historical and cultural contexts that influenced Pius II's thoughts and the broader implications for European unity and identity.

Bisaha provides the most comprehensive and nuanced account now available of the attitudes of Western intellectuals to the Turks, the Byzantines, and crusading in Renaissance Italy, an important time and place for the formation of Western cultural identity.-James Hankins, Harvard University