book title and author, story about an American Korean War hero who
becomes Chief Justice of Supreme Court and eventually the Pope. 
Estimated publication date is the 1970's

Hello. 

Your book is:

The Vicar of Christ / Walter F. Murphy. Published/Created: New York :
Macmillan, c1979. Description: 632 p. ; 24 cm. ISBN: 0025882201 : LC
Classification: PZ4.M97894 Vi PS3563.U763 Dewey Class No.: 813/.5/4
From the Library of Congress catalog:
http://catalog.loc.gov

The book is very easy to find at libraries or used book stores. There
are 200 or so copies listed at Abebooks. Here's one:
"Walter E. Murphy The Vicar of Christ   New York: Ballantine, 1979
Mass Market Paperback. Fine. 1st Ballantine Edition. Fiction.
ISBN:0-345-28371-6.
Very good novel of Soldier Chief Justice Pope. 
Book has 768 pp total, binding is square and tight. No curl to covers
no creases to spine or cover. Some browning on cut edges. Book #
000030"
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/abe/BookDetails?bi=107772414

Alibris, another online source for used books, lists 94 copies:
http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm?qwork=7031872&ptit=Vicar%20of%20Christ&pauth=Murphy%2C%20Walter%20F%2E&pisbn=&matches=94&qsort=p&pbest=2%2E95

Thanks for the question. It sounds like an interesting book. I might
read this one myself!

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 17 Jun 2002 00:36 PDT

Hi.

I was just browsing Amazon.com's site and I found a couple of customer
reviews for the book. They're on this page:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0025882201/qid=1024299059/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4807229-3592738

Perfect answer ...i have to learn how to do this myself.  Thanks go to juggler-ga

It is an excellent book, even given the somewhat improbable final
career change. I remember reading this book in 1979, but couldn't for
the life of me find it!  Good work, Juggler!