The Catholic Tradition: The Church in the Twentieth Century

Rating:
Summary: Could Have Been Better...
Review: The book is useful only because of its historical references. I think, however, that the author goes too far in assuming the intentions of the Second Vatican Council. His interpretations are clearly biased, often presented in vague statements that border on pluralism and indifferentism. If you are looking for an objective account of the Catholic Church, try another source.

Rating:
Summary: Bad book
Review: This book is like reading a history of World War II written by Mussolini. In other words, there is some accurate information, and the facts in and of themselves are usually correct. However, the bias is terrible. The title of the book is misleading, as it makes the book seem to be an unbiased historical account of the Church in the 20th century. It is, rather, one man's opinion of the Church's actions and its motives behind them, and furthermore (and this is the worst part) what the Church ought to do in the future. If you want to read an editorial with bad logic, this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: Fair and comprehensive, but with some bias
Review: This is a fair and comprehensive overview of the Catholic Church (mainly the US) in terms of it's institutional, spiritual,theological, ecumenical,social and philosophical life throughout the twentieh century. It does have one noticable drawback however. In chapter nine, McCarthy makes a analysis of liberation theology but doesn't really point out its faults and shortcommings,he simply brushes aside whatever criticisms there may be. In fact he doesn't even mention Fr. Andrew Greeley's criticism of liberation theology. I would have to say his analysis of liberation theology is a bit one-sided. The postscript at the end of the book borders on naivete. Aside from that he does present a fair analysis of the Church.