The author and photographer of this volume were granted more access than are typically granted to reporters covering the Vatican. The reader is able to catch a glimpse of what life in the Vatican is like through the pictures and narrative. The narrative is not as engaging as that of some books aimed at the tourist market. The photographs, however, convey the setting to the reader in more powerful terms. The book came up a little short in delivering the promised "insider's look" into the Vatican. The Vatican was still able to guard much of its privacy. This book was written several years before then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI. Readers are able to get a glimpse of the role he played at the Vatican before becoming Pope. ( )