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Summary: Moved me to the point of tears.
Review: Conversion is always a painful process, whether it is from one political party to another, one point of view to another, and especially from one religious faith tradition to another. With laughter and with tears, Mr. Madrid has shown through these stories of conversion, the joy which comes only through Christ and obedience to His leading.If you're Catholic -- buy this book. It will strengthen your faith. If you're not -- buy this book anyway. You might just find yourself on a spiritual journey!
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Summary: Thank you, Sir, may I have another?
Review: It seems that every conversion story, no matter what the story, is our story. What's more is that I can't get enough. Is there anything more riveting in faith than this? Following in the footsteps of other great converts, such as G.K.Chesterton and Cardinal John Henry Newman, this new crop of converts from Protestantism to Catholicism offers us valuable insights gained from their journey. The stories vary from down-to-earth folks with sudden realizations to those making careful and intellectual decisions. All offer an emotional ride, well worth taking. I recommend this book as much to Catholics firm in their faith as to Protestants still undecided in their's. Madrid's collection will give you whatever hint, push or shot of courage you are in need of.
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Summary: Wonderful, Witty, Wise, Warm, A+
Review: This book is an inspiration for all Catholics. The warm and happy stories are truly deep and soul searching for the authors and the readers. If you are searching for Truth you must read this. Heartwarming and happy. A great resource for Catholics.
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Summary: This book helped bring me into the Church
Review: I like to call this the little purple book that could. The author himself cannot explain the success of this book, giving credit to God alone for the awesome things it has done. To date it has sold more than 200,000 copies. This book was sitting in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at the Catholic Church I was attending with my wife. I was Lutheran at the time, but desiring more time in prayer I signed up for an hour each Sunday night to spend in prayer. Each week I would read a chapter in this eye-opening book. The book, coupled with who it was that I was kneeling before in the Blessed Sacrament brought me to the Truth so beautifully expressed in the Catholic faith. Countless others have similar stories to tell. I challenge anyone to confront the Truth expressed in this book. It features chapters by well known converts Steve Wood, of the Family Life Center and St. Joseph's Covenant Keepers, Marcus Grodi of the Coming Home Network, noted author, professor and apologist Paul Thigpen, apologist James Akin, Tim Staples, and several others. They give moving personal testimonies of finding the historical and Biblical evidence for Christ and His Church. It's not a book you will forget. For those who have already read the book a sequel is on its way yet this year (2000).
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Summary: Great Catholic apologetic book
Review: This book is an awesome book that will re-enforce a Catholic's beliefs, or challenge a non-Catholic's theology. Each of the eleven stories are different in their own way, making each unique and completely different from one another. Some of the stories are basically just testimonies on people's conversion to the Catholic Church, while others are written by people who studied theology and Church history, and write a more technical, research-based story, which I found most helpful. Overall, the book strengthened my Catholic beliefs and I recommend it to anyone that is curious about Catholicism.
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Summary: Reinforced my Catholic Faith
Review: I would like to say, as a cradle Catholic, I found this book inspiring. I could not put it down and would recommend it to anyone, Catholic or Protestant, who is searching for the Truth. I know in my heart that the Catholic Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ and this book just helped confirm it. I will be praying for the reviewer who did not see these truths. God is still working on him and one day, by His Grace, he will see the truth. If you do not get the fullness of the truth from this book directly, you can get it indirectly by reading all the books these individuals read during their conversion. I would encourage all Catholics to read this book and study the scriptures used to defend our faith, it is key in evangelizing others and bringing our brothers and sisters back to the Church. God Bless all and thank you to those who shared their stories with us.
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Summary: Motivation for Further Research
Review: No one book can make a person change his religious beliefs, "Surprised by Truth" included. Obviously pro-Catholic, the book has inspired me nonetheless to research the original church, the church fathers, and the Reformation, so that I can decide for myself what the Truth is. Oops, how arrogant of me! Rather, armed with knowledge from my upcoming research, I pray that the Lord will bless me with the correct beliefs. This book has revealed to me certain controversies I never knew existed; for that reason I recommend it, to inspire others to research the facts on their own, rather than lazily surrender to the rhetoric of their preachers. 'Time to order some more books.
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Summary: A *MUST READ* For ANY Protestant!
Review: This book is GRAND! I was personally moved by each of the convert's stories. Hungerly devouring each page, I had the book read in just a few hours! As a former Lutheran, this was another book that helped me in my journey to The Roman Catholic Church. All protestants should read this, and, before they give it a negative review, they should, as one part of the book mentions, do some investigations into Martin Luther, the individual responsible for the mess of protestant denominations today. There is little unity in these churches, which all claim different beliefs. The Bible clearly states that people who cause divisions should be avoided (such was the case with Martin Luther), and thrown out of the church. (see Romans 16:7) Page 266 of Surprised By Truth is one place to find this point brought up, and I quote, "Where is the visible expression of unity and universality in Protestantism?" -- (p.266 2nd paragraph)
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Summary: Better after the awful beginning
Review: I agree with the reviewer who was disappointed in the charismatic tone in the beginning of the book. Some potential converts to the faith would never be able to get beyond that first chapter. What a waste!
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Summary: Great Book!- horrible review (June 14)
Review: This is a great book! I suggest everyone to read it. It has powerful testimonies. As for the reviewer of June 14, the anti-Catholic prejudice shows in his or her post. Too many fallacies as well as distorted facts to even list(ad hominem and straw man arguments) . Suffice it to say one need not to take his or her word (since he or she can't even get basic facts right). Buy this book and learn for yourself, not relying on some anti-Catholic's nonsense. Sorry, distortion of facts and straw man arguments don't suffice. This book is well worth the money spent!
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