Searching for Mary: An Exploration of Marian Apparitions Across the U.S.

Rating:
Summary: An engaging tour of a fascinating American subculture
Review: Garvey's book was very enjoyable and provided a vivid glimpse of a very interesting religious subculture. For the most part, I got a kick out of Garvey's humorous observations regarding his interactions with the individuals who flock to these apparition sites; however, sometimes his comments were inappropriately demeaning in my opinion. Nonetheless, I gained much from reading this book and would recommend it to others.

Rating:
Summary: Very interesting!
Review: I recommend this book to everyone interested in Marian apparitions (not only apparitions in the US but Marian apparitions in general). The end of the book is dark but powerful. This book is one of a kind. No one has ever attempted a book of this sort. The author tries to be humorous throughout the book (some of his jokes might slightly offence people that believe in those alleged apparitions). He attempts to be impartial but by the end of the book, Garvey clearly becomes skeptical. This book illustrates what might have happened in previous Marian apparitions (Lourdes, Fatima, Garabandal, etc), i.e., the general setting of those events, as well as the mental approach of the people that came to witness those alleged apparitions. It should also be noted that this is book is not as skeptical as, say, "Looking for a miracle", by Joe Nickell, so believers should also be able to enjoy reading this book. But for people looking for a truly scholarly book on Marian apparitions, "Encountering Mary" by Sandra L. Zimdars-Swartz is the book I would read.

Rating:
Summary: Skepticism at its best
Review: This book is wonderful is you wish to disparage and ridicule marian apparitions; indeed, Mr. Garvey takes you on a tour of all the bogus, sad, uninspired and demented "appartion" sites in America. What he fails to do is show Church-approved, or even Church-approvable apparition sites, such as Medjugorje in the former Yugoslavia. True, he is working in the American apparition milieu where Church-approved apparition sites are few and far between; but reading this book, one might come away with the impression that Marian Apparitions are laughable, at best. For a more counterbalanced look at the phenomena, I recommend "The Day Will Come" by Michael H. Brown. For the truly skeptical, I recommend "Encountering Mary" by Sandra L. Zimdars-Swartz, a remarkable book which both believers and skeptics can appreciate. However, the book in question delivers nothing but snide commentary at a phenomena which has brought countless millions to a life of greater holiness.

Rating:
Summary: Skepticism at its best
Review: This book is wonderful is you wish to disparage and ridicule marian apparitions; indeed, Mr. Garvey takes you on a tour of all the bogus, sad, uninspired and demented "appartion" sites in America. What he fails to do is show Church-approved, or even Church-approvable apparition sites, such as Medjugorje in the former Yugoslavia. True, he is working in the American apparition milieu where Church-approved apparition sites are few and far between; but reading this book, one might come away with the impression that Marian Apparitions are laughable, at best. For a more counterbalanced look at the phenomena, I recommend "The Day Will Come" by Michael H. Brown. For the truly skeptical, I recommend "Encountering Mary" by Sandra L. Zimdars-Swartz, a remarkable book which both believers and skeptics can appreciate. However, the book in question delivers nothing but snide commentary at a phenomena which has brought countless millions to a life of greater holiness.