A Field Guide to the English Clergy: A Compendium of Diverse Eccentrics, Pirates, Prelates and Adventurers; All Anglican, Some Even Practising

Ridiculously enjoyable Tom Holland

A Book of the Year for The Times, Mail on Sunday and BBC History Magazine

The Mermaid of Morwenstow excommunicated a cat for mousing on a Sunday. When he was late for a service, Bishop Lancelot Fleming commandeered a Navy helicopter. Mad Jack swapped his surplice for leopard skin and insisted on being carried around in a coffin. And then there was the man who, like Noahs evil twin, tried to eat one of each of Gods creatures

In spite of all this they saw the church as their true calling. These portraits reveal the Anglican church in all its colourful madness.