Richardson (art history, The Open U., Britain) wrote her dissertation on cardinals of Pius II, then realized that cardinals by their nature represent a continuity that transcends individual popes. Here then she explores the impact that cardinals as a body could have as a body, focusing on a period that she already knows well. She covers the crisis of the councils, from three colleges to one, dignity and dress, restoring Rome, the titular churches, the allocation of titles, property portfolios, the St. Peter's problem in the 15th century, and instructions for a good death. The illustrations are of particularly high quality, even within the high productions standards readers have come to expect from Brill. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)