Rating: 
Summary: This book pulls no punches
Review: An excellent book that directly and succinctly explains many issues at the heart of Christianity today....and one that doesn't water down matters. To the reviewers who feel snubbed by Weigel's work I would suggest you re-read the book. As a Christian I didn't perceive any arrogance in his 'apologia'.
Perhaps some Catholics have a mistaken understanding (or under appreciation) of the Church as the Bride of Christ. This would go for many non-Catholic Christians as well. However, this is most likely attributable to our age's poverty when it comes to appreciating all things transcendent. This book is well worth a read, and frankly, a re-read and reflection. And if you liked this book, Weigel's other works, consider his biography of JP2 'Witness to Hope' and his 'Courage to be Catholic'. Weigel is one of the most approachable and competent Catholic apologist on the scene today, as is Peter Kreeft.
Rating:
Summary: an excellent introduction to Catholicism
Review: As a cradle Catholic, I've often pondered the reasoning and roots of my church's many theological standards. As a contemporary Christian, I've sought ways to explain my church to non Catholics and non believers. Mr. Weigel offers me a remarkably readable work that enables me to experience the full depth of joy in Catholic teachings and to explain them to others as never before. I recommend this work to anyone who is curious or serious about what the Catholic church really teaches - not the people who've run the church for centuries, but the faith itself. This is a truly remarkable and rich resource for Catholics and non Catholics alike.
Rating:
Summary: A revealing insight with joyous discoveries.
Review: As a cradle Catholic, I've often pondered the reasoning and roots of my church's many theological standards. As a contemporary Christian, I've sought ways to explain my church to non Catholics and non believers. Mr. Weigel offers me a remarkably readable work that enables me to experience the full depth of joy in Catholic teachings and to explain them to others as never before. I recommend this work to anyone who is curious or serious about what the Catholic church really teaches - not the people who've run the church for centuries, but the faith itself. This is a truly remarkable and rich resource for Catholics and non Catholics alike.
Rating: 
Summary: Curiasities
Review: Despite the subtitle, "Ten Controversies Explored", this book offers no explorations. In dealing with such difficult issues as women's right to be ordained as priests, Catholic sexual ethics, Catholicism vs. democracy, and more, Mr. Weigel simply summarizes the viewpoints of curia Catholicism. The book contains no historical background information. Mr. Weigel's main references in the book are Pope John Paul II, Prefect of The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) Josef Ratzinger, and Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. Don't let the title of this book fool you. This is NOT a book about "The Truth of Catholicism". Most of all this is a catalogue of reactionary Catholic opinions.
Rating:
Summary: The Intoxicating Nature of Catholicism
Review: George Weigel has written a little masterpiece here. The Truth of Catholicism is a gem with a simple premise: accept an invitation to examine Catholicism from the inside and one might likely end up staying. Like Witness to Hope his authoritative biography of Pope John Paul II where Weigel successfully attempted to understand the Pope from the inside, Weigel here looks at the central principles and beliefs of Catholicism and how these radiate outwards to create a cohesive and compelling engagement with the world-in short he examines Catholicism from the inside. One of the book's great gifts is the accessibility of the writing. I am always struck by how Weigel can take the complex and lengthy and render it understandable and concise. Weigel does not avoid the thorny issues either; rather, this book is about the thorny issues, about how Catholicism's primary convictions lead to convincing answers about the tough questions. Take for instance the often debated question of women's ordination. In just a few short pages, Weigel offers a persuasive answer to why the Catholic Church teaches that she cannot ordain women. (I will let you read the book to get his answer). Truth of Catholicism is a great gift for inquiring minds of any or no faith. For those who are puzzled by the paradox of a person like Cardinal O'Connor who could be a forceful teacher of the Church's sexual doctrine while changing the bedpans of AIDS patients, this book explains that there is no paradox. Catholic Christianity when lived to its fullest does not lend itself to the neat labels of the secular press. The book is also a great read for the average Catholic who like me is the product of poor catechesis. In a short 180 pages, Weigel teaches more than one is likely to learn in most Catholic religious education programs over one's childhood and adolescence. In short, I cannot recommend Weigel's book highly enough. It paints a picture of an intoxicating adventure-the adventure of Catholicism.
Rating:
Summary: A Sophisticated and Philosophical Presentation
Review: George Weigel presents ten controversies involving the truths of Catholicism in a highly persuasive and thoughtful manner. One example will illustrate how his approach sheds light on usually intractable and emotional issues. On the issue of priestly ordination of women, Weigel cogently points out that before getting into mutual recriminations, people should first consider the Catholic view of the ordained priesthood. It is not viewed as just another job or as just being a mere delegate of an assembly of Catholics. The priest is an icon of Christ who represents Christ the Bridegroom in his ministry to the laity. In Catholic understanding, the ordained priesthood is primarily sacramental, not functional. To fulfill that iconic and sacramental role, the Church reserves ordination to males. By elucidating controversial issues in this manner, Weigel sheds light that can expose the unexamined assumptions that usually make useful discussion impossible.
Rating:
Summary: A fine work
Review: In the present day, it seems that the only acceptable prejudice is anti-Catholicism. Therefore, it is refreshing to read Mr. Weigel's fine book on the Truth of the Church. One need only to look at where the Church is growing the fastest, in developing countries of Central and South American, and especially Africa, to know how out of step liberal American and European critics of the Church really are. Mr. Weigel makes a grand case for the Church as she is in truth, the Body of Christ on earth today.
Rating: 
Summary: How about, "The Truth of Christianity?"
Review: It's sad that Catholics are such sectarians that they think that only THEIR denominational structure - which in most countries is just a government-financed cultural system with very few real elements of Christianity - has God's approval. At their worst, they ascribe wisdom and worthiness to THE CHURCH rather than to the God who gave it. This book has insightful things to say about some topics, but for the most part, a Baptist, Presbyterian, or Pentecostal would say the same things. To Catholics I say: being a Christian is about following CHRIST, not an earthly institution like the Catholic Church. Learn to follow CHRIST and fellowship with others based on whether or not they believe in CHRIST, not whether they belong to your denomination or not.
Rating:
Summary: A great service to the Church!!!!
Review: Mr. Weigel has written a fine synthesis of Catholic teaching, which is not an easy task. His book is not too long; it's easy to read and very informative. Weigel's book has two distinct advantages that might set it apart from some others. First, Weigel is a layman, rather than a priest or religious. This removes the appearance of self-interest and marks it as a labor of love. Second, Weigel doesn't address individual issues at length, but tries to convey the Catholic "big picture". He shows that being Catholic involves every aspect of one's life, and not just what we believe, what we don't believe, how we practice our faith, and so forth. (He does address a number of individual issues, but none of them at length. Instead, he situates them within the bigger picture.) Weigel's book is an invitation. It is neither triumphalistic nor condescending. A sincere non-Catholic seeker will find food for thought here. Mr. Weigel has done the Church a great service.
Rating:
Summary: A great service to the Church!!!!
Review: Mr. Weigel has written a fine synthesis of Catholic teaching, which is not an easy task. His book is not too long; it's easy to read and very informative. Weigel's book has two distinct advantages that might set it apart from some others. First, Weigel is a layman, rather than a priest or religious. This removes the appearance of self-interest and marks it as a labor of love. Second, Weigel doesn't address individual issues at length, but tries to convey the Catholic "big picture". He shows that being Catholic involves every aspect of one's life, and not just what we believe, what we don't believe, how we practice our faith, and so forth. (He does address a number of individual issues, but none of them at length. Instead, he situates them within the bigger picture.) Weigel's book is an invitation. It is neither triumphalistic nor condescending. A sincere non-Catholic seeker will find food for thought here. Mr. Weigel has done the Church a great service.
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