The popes in Europe had been showing off their power to the kings for hundreds of years, and if a king refused to obey them, he suffered severe penalties like Heinrich IV in Germany. Each of the popes owned vast tracts of land. But as European nations conquered the lands across the oceans, the popes also paid more attention to improving their military and political power. Increasing their power and fighting enemies like the Ottoman Turks and building huge monuments that were signs of the greatness of the popes and the church, were not viable without money, so they had to sell positions at church offices in different countries. They also produced indulgences and sold them to the people to forgive their sins. European kings and princes who feared the power of the pope and the church tried to wrap all their activities, especially conquering new territories, in a religious and Christian veil. The missionaries who went with the conquerors to the new land had another mission besides inviting people to Christianity. They justified the aggressive behavior of the invading soldiers and calmed down the natives so they accept their new misery without objection. The main theme of the book is the instrumental use of the religion by the colonists to plunder and exploit the people. Unfortunately, the collaboration of the powerful church authorities to achieve their own evil ends and at times, to spread the Christian religion, with the kings in European countries who had devised long-term and inhumane plans to loot the resources of the lands of Indian tribes and other deprived lands, are narrated in this book in the form of short and readable anecdotes and stories. The author’s expressive and eloquent style, as well as his knowledge about historical events, has made this book instructive and readable for the young audience. Book Expert: When the first European ships arrived on the new continents, the priests went ashore along with the explorers. They sought to convert the natives to Christianity. For hundreds of years, European kings had to proclaim themselves proponents and followers of popes, the highest religious authority in Europe. So, they had to put up a religious facade to their every decision. When geographical discoveries began, all of those kings claimed they just wanted to spread Christianity

Mehdi Mirkiaei (1973-Tehran) Mehdi Mirkiaei is a contemporary writer and scholar who is also an academic of Allameh Tabataba’i University. He began his literary career by penning stories for children, but later expanded his activities by attaining an academic certificate in history. In the years after the Islamic Revolution, Mirkiaei’s works gained the attention of many literary critics and award juries and beside the book of the year award, he managed to nab a variety of literary awards including the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults’ book of the year award and the Council for Children’s Books’ book of the year award. Furthermore, two translations of his works have been published in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some of his Books: -Legend of the Marble Lair (Afsaneye Laneye Marmarin). Tehran: Shabaviz, 2004 -The Song of the Charred Tree (Avaz-e Derakht-e Sookhteh). Tehran: Taka, 2010 -Fire and Water (Ab o Atash). Tehran: Amir Kabir, 2015 -Let’s Write a Story (Biaid Dastan Benevisim). Tehran: Talaee, 2015