Rating: 
Summary: Fun Facts 'n the Catholic "Party Line"!
Review: I'm disappointed.The title suggested this would provide info on Catholic practices. What I got was a breathlessly upbeat portrayal of why the Catholic Church is the bestest, rightest, shiniest faith in the world! Protestants? Sorry, they're all wrong and mistranslate the Bible to boot! Race issues? Golly, "...race has never mattered to the Church" even in 4th and 5th century, it was so enlightened! On and on it goes in this tone. I suspect that anyone who isn't a very ardent Catholic will find the author's style annoyingly rose-tinted. The flippant title also suggested it'd be a light read. It's definitely that. A cover note gives some warning to the book's tone (if only I'd have seen it): "With the Imprimatur of the Most Reverend Charles Grahmann, D.D., Bishop of Dallas". The bishop and my hometown connection isn't my point, just the official imprimatur (and what that implies about the content). In summary, I wasn't looking for a hatchet job or scandal stories. I was looking for information. What I got was a marketing piece (on my dime).
Rating: 
Summary: Why do Catholics do that?
Review: A well credentialed PHD, Orlin has produced an excellent reference for the Catholic and non-Catholic alike. I continually find myself puzzled when reviewing the reactions of many non-Catholics to books such as this one. I detected no animosity whatsoever to other religions, in fact, what rang clear was a confident, well-stated and accurate exspression of many of the often misunderstood concepts, Traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church. Our religion is one that is continually misunderstood, ridiculed and is surrounded with assumed misinformation. Orlin brings, in extremely cogent, well written fashion, a new understanding to many of the sacred traditions we hold close. My assumption is that the confidence in which the information is presented, by implication, may upset SOME non-Catholics as a result of a lack of faith in their own beliefs whatever they may be. This text is an enhancement to the catechism of the Catholic faith and should be required reading for all Catholics seeking to expand their knowledge and faith.
Rating:
Summary: A great reference book
Review: This was a very informative book. I didn't understand the other reviews that said that Mr. Johnson goes onto critize all other religions. He is actually giving very concrete information that does not support one or the other. He states the facts and doesn't say, "and thats why you should be Catholic." As for the other review which said it didn't answer any of the questions his wife had; Look on pg. 120 (all about priests and deacons) and pg. 63 (on why we kneel in mass).
Rating: 
Summary: USELESS!
Review: Kevin Johnson writes from the perspective that other religions are very wrong. I bought this book in the hopes of learning more about the faith when I was trying to decide if I wanted to take RCIA classes. Not only did I not learn anything from the book, it actually turned me away from the Church slightly. I have since read other books and am now in the RCIA classes, and I am glad that I didnt turn away due to Kevins book. If you are looking for real answers, and wanting to learn, this is not the book for you!
Rating:
Summary: Author spends all his effort criticizing other religions
Review: This book is not helpful for explaining Catholic practices to non-Catholics. The author cannot resist the urge to criticize Protestants and other religions throughout the book. The book will instantly put non-Catholics on the defensive. In addition, the author has a very warped and inaccurate understanding of Protestants, which seriously undercuts his credibility. He should have resisted the urge to add all the condescending footnotes and focused more on explaining the Catholic faith itself.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good explanations for non-Catholics.
Review: Although Kevin Johnson writes this book from an obviously biased Catholic perspective, there are some good explanations about what Catholics believe, how they interpret the Bible and how those interpretations have resulted in the Catholic faith. This book would be useful not only to Catholics who are interested in learning more about their faith, but for non-Catholics who want to understand the Catholic religion better. There are also some very non-denominational historical contexts and explanations provide which will help all faiths understand the foundation of the Judeo-Christian beliefs.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Organization, Outstanding Content
Review: One of the greatest things about this unbelieveably good book was how it was set up. It explains the Catholic Faith in sections that are most commonly inquired upon. It can be used fully operationally as a quick refernce book or as a read-through discussion defending the Catholic Faith. It uses Sacred Scripture AND Sacred Apostolic Tradition to reinforce every subject. The whole book is written fully explaining every dispute. Overall, it was an EXCELLENT book.
Rating:
Summary: Read this, but not for serious learning.
Review: This was very informative on some matters, and on others lacked a great deal. I do not recommend this book to anyone except the religious catholic already quite stable in their beliefs. The book explains a great deal on the differences of faiths within the cultures of the world, it does not explicitely explain what is needed to know by many protestants, such as "What is the Rosary?". Overall rating: average
Rating:
Summary: This book is of little value to non-Catholics
Review: I bought this book hoping that my non-Catholic wife might learn about some of the Catholic practices. Unfortunately, the book answered none of her fairly simple questions. My wife attended mass with me and came away with so many questions: 1. Why do you kneel during some parts? 2. What is a deacon? 3. What is the difference between a Dominican, a Franciscan, a Jesuit, a Redemptorist? 4. What do you mean by "Mystery of Faith"? I could go on and on ... but I won't find simple answers to any of these questions in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good book, informative, needs better/correct refs
Review: I have almost finished reading the entire book. Pretty good, I learned a great deal. Some biblical references to his points are wrong, or at least not related. See page 48, par 2. Most references to the bible are not even closly related to the topic he is developing - save one, the ref to Sir 5:5-9. In the same note he also says "nobody has any assurance of salvation". Where did that come from? I have plenty of references (biblical and other) where belivers are assured of salvation via Jesus Christ. Also, some may be slightly put off by some of the comments regarding Protestants. The author, at times, comes off a bit bias - coloring the readers opinion of Protestants as some kind of wacky step child that will some day learn there lesson and come home.
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