Rating: 
Summary: A great book on an amazing man
Review: This is truly one of the best books I have ever read because it offers so much information on such an amazing man. One is taught and made to think as one reads. The book is well written and clearly written. (Okay so the part about the thesis on Max Scheler is unbearably thick, but it is the ONLY boring part in the 1000 page book!) It is an excellent reference to many of the Holy Father's teachings as well as offering a broad insight into his life.I recommend this book to anyone and everyone (conservative and liberal, Catholic and non-Catholic alike), that they may GROW as much as I did by coming to know more about this wonderful man. The book on tape (abridged) is also excellent because one can more easily sense the drama of events such as the Holy Father's "Silencio!" in Nicaragua.
Rating:
Summary: A great book on an amazing man
Review: This is truly one of the best books I have ever read because it offers so much information on such an amazing man. One is taught and made to think as one reads. The book is well written and clearly written. (Okay so the part about the thesis on Max Scheler is unbearably thick, but it is the ONLY boring part in the 1000 page book!) It is an excellent reference to many of the Holy Father's teachings as well as offering a broad insight into his life. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone (conservative and liberal, Catholic and non-Catholic alike), that they may GROW as much as I did by coming to know more about this wonderful man. The book on tape (abridged) is also excellent because one can more easily sense the drama of events such as the Holy Father's "Silencio!" in Nicaragua.
Rating:
Summary: a biography, a history lesson and some philosophy!
Review: This wonderful biography of the Holy Father is long and detailed, but worth every minute! I learned an immense amount of 20th century history; Mr. Weigel makes it clear how various events fit together to weave the fabric of our society as we enter the new millenium. After reading the book, I have a much better understanding of past and current events. From this book I also learned the basics of the pope's philosophy, and perhaps best I feel that I have come to know him personally. This book will be a collector's item in the future! I hope that Mr. Weigel will write a second volume.
Rating:
Summary: Good meat in this one.
Review: To add to the many positive reviews already online would be redundant if I did not feel so strongly about this book. It is the best book I have read in at least five years. It opened my eyes to religion BEYOND politics. Some of the critics of the book and of this man seem to have missed the point, they label with these soon-to-be-out-of-date labels. This pope will be remembered for many things, but one will be his ability to transcend politics. This book conveys that well. Before, the only place for someone who was not a liberal or conservative was a "moderate." A most unpalatable word for me. I want to get at the root of things and am deeply passionate about many issues. This pope is inspiring in that he also does not fit well inside a label. George Weigel characterizes this man within his heroic life as well as any recent biographer and recalls a time when biography was a high art. One final comment, this book inspired me to look at the pope's view of sexuality in the book, "Theology of the Body." This is a fascinating thoroughly Catholic and yet incredibly fresh look at sex. That book is at first a tougher read but well worth it for a mindblowing new way to look at sex.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring Story of an Inspiring Man
Review: Unlike nearly everyone else who's written anything about John Paul II (most especially including the American media, which is obssessed with judging everything by the same standards it applies to American politics and/or entertainment), George Weigel demonstrates in this book that he clearly understands his subject. As a result, he has written a book that gives the reader a complete portrait of a man who will undoubtably do down in history as one of the most important figures of the 20th Century and, most likely, one of the most influential successors to St. Peter in the 2000 year history of the Catholic Church. At some points, this book will probably be hard for the average reader to get through; Weigel's discussions about the extensive, impressive, grounding in philosophy that Karol Wojtyla had before he became Pope may be too technical for some people, for example. Those defects, however, pale in comparison to the truly inspiring narrative that Weigel has created here; for example, his telling of the rise, fall, and ultimate triumph of the Solidarity movement, and John Paul's undeniable role in the collapse of Soviet Communism, is truly fascinating. This isn't a book just for Catholics, or Professors of theology, it is the story of a quite ordinary man from Krakow who, due largely to what he would consider the hand of God (though I would add that his intellect had alot to do with it as well), rose to become the answer to Josef Stalin's contemptuous, ultimately foolish, question "How many divisions has the Pope ?" This book is a long read, but, in the end, well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: about the editorial review of amazon.com
Review: Very interesting what is said in the editorial review of amazon. com of this book, but surprised by the fact than amazon.com reviewer does not know that Opus Dei is a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. So it is not dificult -I think- to understand that the Pope has done and is still doing with this Worldwide Catholic Institution, that learns people to sanctify the ordinary work of lay, men and women .
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: We read the book as a couple, and enjoyed the text immensely. It was nice to read about the Pope from a spiritual viewpoint. There was so much in the book that has never been published. We went to a lecture by the author, and we were fascinated that the Pope gave him full access to his records and never read it until it was published. We recommend you read it!
Rating:
Summary: A Spiritual Biography
Review: Weigel's biography of Pope John Paul II is a must read for anyone wanting to gain insight about the current "culture wars" that are raging in the Western world. What makes this book so outstanding is the author's lack of embarassment in presenting his subject from a spiritual and Catholic viewpoint. Unlike the secular media, who have already decided that truth is limited to the material world, Weigel examines the life of John Paul II in an integrated way, showing how the exterior life of the pontiff is motivated by his deep, interior spirituality. Prior to this book, the world knew the Pope as either a "conservative" or a "liberal" depending on what issue was being debated. Now the world knows the Pope as a renowed philosopher and theologian with something to say to all of us.
Rating:
Summary: A Spiritual Biography
Review: Weigel's biography of Pope John Paul II is a must read for anyone wanting to gain insight about the current "culture wars" that are raging in the Western world. What makes this book so outstanding is the author's lack of embarassment in presenting his subject from a spiritual and Catholic viewpoint. Unlike the secular media, who have already decided that truth is limited to the material world, Weigel examines the life of John Paul II in an integrated way, showing how the exterior life of the pontiff is motivated by his deep, interior spirituality. Prior to this book, the world knew the Pope as either a "conservative" or a "liberal" depending on what issue was being debated. Now the world knows the Pope as a renowed philosopher and theologian with something to say to all of us.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Grace
Review: What will be of the World when this Man dies? Pray that there is another, in hiding, disguised, as he was,to keep , keep, keep the highest of values. George Weigel is the author, yet Divine Providence has guided him in the PERFECT portrayal of definitely the most intelligent man of the last generations. Although a slow read, for the message revealed covers every aspect of humanity, it is a book to have forever. Karol Wojtyla's face says all, his words are just a translation. I have not purchased this book, I borrowed it from the Library, and as an anecdote, took it out three times because of its length and depth and one day decided I wanted THIS book. I looked on the jacket for the price for I was willing to pay anything for it but it had been cut off. All the other books I have takenout of the Library have always had the price on them. Which made me think how symbolic this was. Reading between the linea, as we all should, I realized once more the importance of this book. For those of US who have truly discovered the right path, this book is a treasure.
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