This book provides excellent insights into the state of the Church during the twelth century, when the "investiture controversy" conflict raged, and the independence of the Church was threatened from all sides. What could be a dry subject is presented in a fresh, personal, and compelling way by focusing on the power struggle between the gentle, patient, "saintlike" Anslem, and the vicious, grasping, blasphemous, and tyrannical William Rufus.