The legend of Pope Joan -- an Englishwoman who disguised herself as a man and became pope in the ninth century -- has been a source of controversy for a thousand years. Fascinated by her story, but skeptical of its authenticity, British journalist Peter Stanford decided to investigate the facts. His search for the truth has produced the definitive account of one of the most intriguing mysteries of the Catholic Church. With all the riveting drama of an historical detective novel, this exciting study utilizes a variety of sources and methods, from ancient papal tomes to present-day psychological profiling. And in an age when many women identify with Joan's struggle for recognition in a male-dominated institution, Stanford speculates on what her legend's longevity means for the church -- and asks why she still has such a powerful grip on our imaginations.