One of the author’s most compelling original contributions is his discussion of Monsignor Luzio’s mission to Ireland. He ably discusses the level of Anglophobia pervasive in the Irish hierarchy, as well as the degree to which their belief of vast English influence in the Vatican was unrealistic. Although this Anglophobia was not the only factor that predisposed the bishops to view Luzio’s visit with hostility, it certainly exacerbated an already negative predisposition. The author’s discussion of Luzio’s visit itself is similarly compelling as Luzio’s own papers and his final report submitted to the Vatican are skillfully utilized. These hitherto unavailable resources add significant value to the study’s account of Luzio’s mission, revealing an extremely negative assessment not only of the bishops, but of the Free State Ministers, who Luzio described as ‘fanatical [and] proud’ (p. 277). Luzio had little use for the Ministers and Bishops that he met during his trip and formed a far higher opinion of republican opponents, who he described as ‘much more religious, preferring the ancient and genuine Catholic faith of the Irish people