Reviews (1)

Recommended for college-level students of Catholic history
The hefty price tag of this history may keep it from all but the most specialized Catholic library collections, but it continues the coverage of Vatican II begun in previous volumes, with this covering the mature council, second period and intersession from September 1963-1964 - a period in which the Vatican II began to assume its character. From the debate of collegiality to the Council's completion of the first two documents, chapters cover its revision of major texts and its political involvements. Recommended for college-level students of Catholic history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (2nd :    2. 1962-1965)    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. Christianity - History - Catholic    5. Christianity - Theology - Ecclesiology    6. Church Government Of Specific Denominations    7. History    8. History: World    9. Religion - Classic Works    10. Roman Catholic Church    11. Vatican Council    12. World - General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (11)

Worse Than Hitler's Pope!
I read this book as part of my Honours research project into the Vatican's diplomacy with Nazi Germany. I was told that John Cornwell's "Hitler's Pope", despite the accolades and the best seller status, was a poor piece of academic work, a thesis which Cornwell himself eventually recanted (See the reference in The Economist, http://www.economist.com/books/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3471137).
Read this book first: best review of the subject so far!
Having read several recent books on this subject, I find that an author's bias is reflected in his/her writing more on this issue than perhaps on any other.This is particularly striking in the recent Rychlak book ("Hitler, the War, and the Pope") which is unabashed propaganda, veiled thinly or not at all.Even the more objective Cornwell book ("Hitler's Pope"), although it supports the opposite side of the debate, has occasional undertones of prejudice. sheltered
The author must be a young person, who has led a relatively sheltered life. Anyone who was there knows that the Resistance, by its very nature, worked in secret. For example, theauthor failed to thoroughly research the Asissi Underground.Under the Pope's order to the bishop, Jews arrived there from Rome, were sheltered in convents and monasteries, provided with false identities, and smuggled to Genoa for passage on neutral ships. In the RC church of those days, obedience was paramount. Orders always came from above. No one would lift the cloister without Papal permission, even to shelter Jews. Ms. Zuccotti ignores the tragedy of Hitler's predictable reprisals. Whenever church leaders spoke publicly against persecution of Jews, as in the Netherlands, more Jews were rounded up and sent to extermination camps. The Pope did speak out as much as possible, as documented by the New York Times, noting his was "the only voice."At the time, few countries, including the USA, would accept Jewish refugees. All U.S. ports refused to let the St. Louis dock here, sending Jewish passengers back to Europe and death. Only false identity papers and Catholic baptismal certificates, provided by the Church at the Pope's order, allowed Jews to sail to neutral countries. The author fails to explainwhy the ranks of the Swiss Guard in the Vatican suddenly swelled, or why so many Jews were camped out in the subterranean depths of the Pope's summer residence at Castelgandolfo.These numbers are all documented. She also ignores the testimony of the Chief Rabbi of Rome concerning the Pope's help. When Hitler demanded gold from the Jewish Community in exchange for their lives, it was the Pope who offered to make up the shortage. Has she actually read Rabbi Zolli's book "Before the Dawn"? The wisdom of experience with the true evil of the powerful Nazi regime is missing from this book, and renders it rather sophomoric. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Catholicism    3. Christianity - History - Catholic    4. Europe - Italy    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Holocaust    8. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    9. Italy    10. Jewish Holocaust    11. Jews    12. Persecutions    13. Religion    14. Religious aspects    15. Roman Catholic Church    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. History / Holocaust   

Reviews (12)

Fun little book, but not source-worthy
It's an enjoyable little read, and I think it was a pious undertaking by a nice Catholic man, but the book is littered with errors.
Dissapointing
I was expecting a book of fun facts and trivia.What I got was a badly printed pamphlet filled with Catholic propoganda.Not worth the paper it was printed on.

What size shoe did Jesus wear?
If I were a pregnant Roman, there is one challenge in this treasury of trivia that I would not be able to resist.According to the author, Nino Lo Bello, no baby has ever been born in the Vatican. (The timing would have to be just right, but here's some mother-to-be's chance to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.)
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Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christianity - Catholicism    3. Christianity - History - Catholic    4. Miscellanea    5. Popes    6. Religion    7. Religion - Classic Works    8. Vatican City    9. Vatican Palace (Vatican City)   

Subjects:  1. (2nd :    2. 1962-1965)    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. Christianity - History - Catholic    5. Christianity - Theology - Ecclesiology    6. Church Government Of Specific Denominations    7. History: World    8. Religion    9. Religion - Classic Works    10. Roman Catholic Church    11. Vatican Council    12. European history: from c 1900 -    13. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    14. Vatican    15. c 1945 to c 1960    16. c 1960 to c 1970   

Subjects:  1. (2nd :    2. 1962-1965)    3. 20th century    4. Catholic Church    5. Doctrines    6. History    7. Religion    8. Roman Catholic Doctrinal Theology (General)    9. Vatican Council    10. Christian doctrinal theology    11. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Basilica di San Pietro in Vati    3. Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano    4. Buildings, structures, etc    5. General    6. History    7. History - General    8. International Architecture - European    9. Religious Buildings    10. Vatican City    11. Architecture / General    12. Vatican   

Reviews (3)

I only made it through Chapter One
I got this book from the library and was pretty excited to start reading it.It's possible that most of the book is great, but I won't find out as I struggled to make it through the first chapter before returning it.That chapter is filled with nothing but long lists of "this guy did that" and "another guy did something else" that was boring, disconnected and pretty repetitive. Breaks with Conventional Wisdom; Provocative; Incomplete
Well worth the read
Professor Alvarez has done his homework, although I do believe his presentation on how the Vatican has conducted its intelligence does not actually reflect the sometime morbid tone Vatican efforts sometimes undertook.I believe Profesor Alvarez could have been more helpful with the issue of the Croatians and the Vatican as to the terrible treatment of members of the Jewish faith there is concerned in WW II, and the terrible conduct that some clergy exhibited in Croatia.The Professor would have been well advised to look more into the role of members of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John Hospitaller, as some of its membership in WWII was of deep significance and use to the Vatican's overall intelligence attempts to understand and combat Facism and Nazism. Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. Christianity - History - Catholic    5. Espionage    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. Intelligence Operations    9. Intelligence service    10. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    11. Military Science    12. Religion    13. Roman Catholic Church    14. Vatican City    15. Christian communities & monasticism    16. Espionage & secret services    17. History of specific subjects    18. Italy    19. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    20. Vatican    21. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (9)

Not the salt that preserves
Beware Fr. Reese SJ's unconventional opinions and you will not be misguided by unorthodox Catholic thought.He is a very political character himself and colors his statements.His recent attack on limits placed by Pope Benedict against practicing gays entering the priesthood betray an extreme bias.He contends pedophilia the problem although the vast majority of abuse cases were against adolescent boys, not young children -- just as example of his penchant for being loose with facts.

Scary but true.
Once you know what goes on Inside the Vatican, as a Catholic, you may want to get out.
Ever wonder what it'd be like to be a Vatican bureaucrat?
Thomas Reese, Jesuit professor and journalist, has carved a very narrow niche for himself as an author, explaining the organizational mechanics of the Catholic church. Most people would find his books to have far too much detail, but there are a few, like me, who are curious about what really happens behind the closed doors of the Catholic administrative apparatus. His 1989 book, "Archbishop," described how dioceses are run, and "Inside the Vatican" describes how the Vatican functions. What decisions do cardinals actually make? What is it like to be a Vatican ambassador to a foreign country? What is it like to have a career as a Vatican bureaucrat? (One tidbit: No air conditioning!)Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Catholicism    2. Christianity - History - Catholic    3. Church management    4. Councils and synods    5. History    6. Institutions & Organizations    7. Leadership    8. Papacy    9. Religion    10. Religion - Classic Works    11. Religion / Church History    12. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    13. Vatican   

Reviews (3)

VATICAN II -- NOT ITS "SPIRIT," "GHOST," "INTENT," "I-WISH-IT-WERE"
Peter Henriot once described Catholic social teaching as "our best kept secret."The same can be said about Vatican II.Lots of things have been claimed in the "spirit" of the Council, but what the Council actually said remains, in many ways, "our best kept secret."
"Will the Real Vatican II Please Stand Up?"
With "Vatican II: The Crisis and the Promise", Alan Schreck rescues the misunderstood council from the clutches of dissenters on the Left and the Right.
Rich Content in Readable Format
Philosophy professor Allan Schreck is concerned that the views of Vatican II's more vocal dissenters may leave the impression that the council itself or its teachings are tainted, leading others to forgo study of its teachings. It is not surprising, then, that his purpose is to provide a true understanding of Catholic doctrine as found in council documents. And in keeping with this focus, Schreck uses format, style, and language inviting to those famous "people in the pews."
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Subjects:  1. (2nd :    2. 1962-1965)    3. 20th century    4. Catholic Church    5. Christianity - Catholicism    6. Christianity - Theology - Catholic    7. Christianity - Theology - Ecclesiology    8. Doctrines    9. History    10. Religion    11. Religion - Classic Works    12. Theology    13. Vatican Council    14. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church   

Reviews (2)

Microstates deserve more analysis of this kind
This fascinating compendium fills an important gap in the area of political and cultural geography.One hopes for a further augmented second edition that covers in more detail the Order of Malta (a sovereign entity), the Channel Islands (which are personal dependencies of the British Crown, not part of the UK and EU - and beyond the jurisdiction of the UK Parliament) and perhaps such unusual European enclaves as Campione d'Italia (a piece of Italy within Switzerland that functions as a quasi-Swiss jurisdiction).
A Masterful Geographical and Historical Work
In researching sources for information on Malta for a forthcoming excursion after the Universala Kongreso de Esperanto next year, I came across Tom Eccardt's "Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe."I not only found everything I needed to know about Malta, but was fascinated by his treatment of the other six small states. This is an excellently researched work, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in geography or history.
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Subjects:  1. Europe    2. Europe - General    3. Guidebooks    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. States, Small    8. Western Europe - General    9. World - General    10. Andorra    11. European studies    12. Liechtenstein    13. Luxembourg    14. Malta    15. Monaco    16. San Marino    17. Vatican   

Editorial Review

Just 33 days into the reign of Pope John Paul I in 1978, it was reported that he had died of a heart attack. But within the Vatican, there were conflicting answers to the most basic questions: Who found the body? What was the time of death? What was the actual state of the pope's health prior to death? Read more

Reviews (13)

A Big Revelation
John Cornwell's book "A Thief In the Night" sheds more light on the death of John Paul I than any other book or article I have ever read.Mr. Corwell's investigative reporting method in writing this book clearly shows that John Paul I died of medical neglect.Did someone murder him?No!But the neglect he experienced from Vatican Insiders was enough to kill him.I am so grateful to Mr. Cornwall.His access to people in the Vatican and what they told him clearly shows what really happened.This is an excellent read.

A Vatican Book
Anyone interested in the death of the 33-day Pope should read this book as it is the Vatican's side of the story. It was commissioned by Rome in order to quell rumors of foul play in the 33-day-Pope's death raised by David Yallop's best seller `In God's Name'. In exchange for Cornwell's promise to conclude the Pope died of a 'heart attack', the Vatican permitted him to interview some who had been in the papal palace the night the Pope died.The most important of these witnesses to Cornwell's conclusion that the Pope died of a 'heart attack' was John MaGee who, by coincidence, was made a bishop by John Paul II the very month he gave his testimony. (seatch Google: Bishop John MaGee).
What about pro-life - and death wishes?
Not only is this a good read, but it has implications for you and I.How do we honor life- in the context of the sick, the elderly, those who wish to be released from this life. Is it wrong to pray for death? How vigorous do we need to be in taking medicine? In seeking out mecial care? What means are really extra-ordinary?The smiling pope may be able to tell us old people a lot about life and death- even now. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Catholicism    2. Christianity - History - Catholic    3. Europe - Italy    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Religion - Church History    8. History / General   

Reviews (12)

A nice overview book on Papal history
This is another excellent survey book in this historical series. The only fault I would find with it is that it doesn't have good photos of each Pope. Certainly the line drawings are OK for the very early Popes, but there should be good, color photos available for the more recent ones.

Qualified acclaim
I have four titles in this series.I often come across the names of popes in connection with art and history and wanted a comprehensive survey.This book provides this.It is spoilt by some unnecessary and partisan comments by the author.

Provides a good historical outline for newcomers...
With the passing of Pope John Paul II and the subsequent election of Benedict XVI last month, this 1997 book officially becomes a little out of date (always inevitable when dealing with a living lineage). Nonetheless, the book will give readers with little knowledge of the papacy the basic story behind how it arrived at its current state (those who already have knowledge of the papacy and its history will likely learn nothing new).
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Christianity - History - Catholic    3. Church History    4. History    5. Papacy    6. Popes    7. Reference    8. Religion    9. Religion - Classic Works    10. Roman Catholic Church    11. Biography: general    12. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    13. Vatican   

Reviews (1)

The Best Coffee Table Book to Own
I bought this book while at the Vatican so I could understand all the paintings I was about to see.It was an outstanding help and I have since shown it to numerous people who have fallen in love with all the picturesand explanations.In fact, I am ordering a copy for my mother-in-law forfear that she will not be able to relinquish my copy! One of the bestparts of the book is that it shows you fold outs of the entire fresco andthen spends many pages with close up pictures describing in detail what isincluded in the large frescos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. History - Renaissance    3. Mural painting and decoration    4. Mural painting and decoration, Italian    5. Mural painting and decoration, Renaissance    6. Photo Essays    7. Techniques    8. Vatican City    9. Vatican    10. Michaelangelo    11. Raphael   

Reviews (5)

Vatican lies
This book effectively discloses the lack of integrity in the Church.. Well writen and presented. Yet, it leaves one with the feeling that one has only exposed the tip of the iceberg.For other books that expose Vatican lies on a much broader scale try "Murder in the Vatican" by Lucien Gregoire and "In God's Name" by David Yallop.

Great book.AWESOME!!!!
This is a great book.It blows the cover on the hypocrites in the Vatican.
A Mystical Review
I read the "Shroud of Secrecy" in March of 200l. When I attempted to contact Monsignor Marinelli, I was told by the publisher that the monsignor had apparently suddenly died several months ago. This what commonly happens to any one who dares to "Blow the Whistle". Read more

Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Religion / Catholicism    3. Catholic church    4. Christianity - Catholicism    5. Corrupt practices    6. Government    7. History    8. Old Catholics    9. Vatican City   

Editorial Review

Robert Hutchinson is on a mission: to explore the living center of the Roman Catholic Church. "Twenty years after my first visit to Rome I set out to rediscover the Vatican. I wondered how it would all seem, to a smart-aleck American writer and confused Catholic, to really poke around the place, talk to the people who actually run it." Read more

Reviews (21)

Served Its Purpose
Hutchinson served his purpose.He provided just enough detail about the stories he picked to keep the lay reader interested, and varied his stories widely enough to provide a wide angle portrait of the Vatican.A humorous and thoughtful look at the place and the institution which has, for better or worse, been the very center of Catholicism and the Catholic conciousness for 2,000 years.

Fun and Factual
Upon the advise of a good tour guide, I purchased this book after visiting and utterly enjoying the Eternal City. Please note that this is certainly not the ultimate guide to the Vatican or to understanding Catholicism.It is merely a collection of the amusing anecdotes of a journalist, who like other journalists has the opportunity to live in another part of the world and then comment about his impressions of adapting or accepting another culture. Vatican Eye-Opener
In her New York Times Book Review, Sandra Mardenfeld tells us that When in Rome is "...an interesting but rarely startling account."She either didn't read it or is on the Curia payroll. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Christianity - History - Catholic    3. Description and travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Europe - Italy    6. Hutchinson, Robert J    7. Social life and customs    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Vatican City    11. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Catholic Church    3. Christianity - Theology - General    4. Doctrines    5. Evolution (Biology)    6. History    7. History of doctrines    8. Life Sciences - Biology - General    9. Religion - Theology    10. Religious aspects    11. Science    12. Science/Mathematics    13. Christian social thought & activity    14. Evolution    15. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - General    2. Church history    3. General    4. History    5. History: World    6. Leadership    7. Medieval    8. Middle Ages, 600-1500    9. Papacy    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Renaissance    12. Christian spiritual & Church leaders    13. European history: c 500 to c 1500    14. History of religion    15. Religion / Catholicism    16. Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholic Church    17. Vatican    18. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. 1475-1564    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Ceilings    5. European    6. History - Renaissance    7. Individual Artist    8. Individual Painters - Renaissance    9. Michelangelo Buonarroti,    10. Mural painting and decoration,    11. Mural painting and decoration, Italian    12. Mural painting and decoration, Renaissance    13. Vatican City    14. Criticism and interpretation    15. Individual artists    16. Italy    17. Michelangelo Buonarroti    18. Painting & paintings    19. Religious subjects depicted in art    20. Renaissance art   

Reviews (11)

a pleasant change
In that it gives a look at some other murders outside of the mysterious death of John Paul I, this is a refreshing book. Yet, since it does not invlove a Pope it is likely to suffer unfairly from less interest. I recommend you not pass it up. An alternative is Lucien Gregoire's "Murder in the Vatican" which takes one on a methodical imvestigation of the murder of eight men which combination was the leadership of the progressive movement in Church - including the 'murders' of John Paul I and Paul VI.That all of these men died mysteriously within a few months of each other itself would arouse ones suspicions - but Gregoire offers much more than just that.I would recommend you buy these books as a package.
Great read.
This is another book that deals with the hypocrites in the Vatican.
GOOD READING
ALTHOUGH THE BOOK I THINK DOES NOT FINALIZE THE CONCLUSION, I FOUND THE METHODS THE AUTHOR TRIED TO PASTE TOGETHER THE BITS AND PIECES OF TRUTH OR INFORMATION WELL WORTH THE READ. IN THE END I THINK THE BOOK ANALYZES THE CHURCH MORE THAN IT SHOULD BUT THEN AGAIN WHY NOT? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Case studies    6. Conspiracy & Scandal Investigations    7. Estermann, Alois    8. Gay men    9. Guardia svizzera pontificia    10. History    11. Police murders    12. Political    13. Sexual behavior    14. Tornay, Câedric    15. Vatican City    16. Biography & Autobiography / Political    17. Follain, John    18. Tornay, Cédric    19. True crime   

Reviews (8)

Skip this one.
I would not recommend this book to anyone who does not already have a strong catechetical background.There are a lot of basic facts in the book that are in error.I think the material is above what the author can grasp.I would put this on your do not read list until you have a sounder understanding of Vatican II and Lumen Gentuim.I would not recomend this book

Student Friendly
Students are challenged by Catholic doctrine presented in veryeveryday situations. Conservative students are pushed to consider the value of feminist theology and social justice, while liberal students encounter the necessity of authority and revelation. Doyle's even-handed treatment of the theological spectrum makes Church Emerging more than an history book, or dry list of doctrines. Instead the book functions as a bridge between left and right by illustrating that the concerns of both stem from the gospel message. The dusty events and documents of the Second Vatican Council are presented within the context of contemporary issues so the Church Emerging both informs students of past occurences, as it jars them into considering how Catholic teaching might (gasp) apply to their own lives today. Church Emerging...
A lucid and engaging exposition of some of the more salient issues facing the contemporary Roman Catholic Church.An excellent introductory resource for students. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1965-    2. Catholic Church    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. Church    5. Doctrines    6. History    7. Religion    8. R