The topic of this book is of utmost importance. These events will go down as the most significant events in modern church history. This book belongs in all libraries.

WORD PLAY is a unique hands-on guide and invaluable source for helping to understand idioms and slap expressions that so liberally and colorfully sprinkle the English language.

How I wish this splendid book had been available to me when as a young child I came to this country, struggling to absorb basic English and constantly bewildered and frustrated by hearing and reading idioms that left me without a clue.

WORD PLAY is a wonderfully helpful dictionary that defines over 1,200 frequently used idioms not usually included in standard dictionaries.

Alphabetically arranged, each idiom is clarified in both English and Spanish, with space provided for translating into other languages.

An important, innovative contribution to the literature, this landmark work belongs in every classroom, library and home, shelved right next to the standard dictionary as an indispensible companion.

The book was very informative and it gives you alot of information on the last three popes that the roman cathlolic church has had.

At least one seminary requires those in spiritual formation to read this biography of Pope John Paul II. I rank the book just below the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in my list of books that are important to read. I can usually summarize a book in a page or two, but not this one. The book offers so much that I filled thirteen pages with terse notes written in paragraph form.

The first 250 pages of the book inspire the reader, who realizes the great hardships the Pope endured from his early life through his priesthood under Nazi and Communist rule. His work with the Church's intellectuals and performing artists developed the cultural base that succeeded in combating these totalitarian regimes. His discussion groups tolerated all ideas, provided that all were striving for truth. His development of a new Christian Humanism was, and still is, effective in combating social and spiritual ills everywhere.

The remaining 600 pages show how the Pope dealt with specific problems in the Church and in the world. He approaches all as a sincerely holy, humble, and reverent pilgrim, full of hope for humanity. He apologizes for the failures of Catholics. He invites those who oppose him to join him in dialog, yet he never compromises Church principles. The book covers each such case, including each encyclical, with sufficient detail that the reader learns from the Pope throughout the book.

Because I have read probably every encyclical and many of the apostolic letters written by the Pope, much was familiar to me -- after the book jarred my memory. The most important new point that I learned from the book pertained to a question I have asked many a philosopher: Can every philosophy describe all of the truths of the Catholic faith? The Pope answered that some philosophies are so poor or so closed as to make any real dialog impossible.

For this Presbyterian, George Weigel's book about Pope John Paul II was a revelation not only about a remarkable figure in history, but also about Catholic thought and practice. Weigel has written far more than a conventional biography. "Witness to Hope" is also a sweeping history of John Paul's times and his papacy, a trenchant observer's comments on politics in the '70s and '80s, and a sharp-minded theologian's explication of John Paul's voluminous writings. A couple of critics have sniped that Weigel's book lacks "incisive criticisms" of John Paul. In fact, Weigel does speak critically at many points; he simply does so with such civility and respect that bloodthirsty adversaries of the Pope and his church are likely to be disappointed. Far more valuable is Weigel's fidelity to a principle that he states at the outset: that John Paul's life and papacy can only be understood "from the inside." Weigel's vantage point is as "inside" as any author is likely to get; footnote after footnote reveals that information provided by Weigel comes directly from conversation with John Paul II. Weigel's own credentials as a religious thinker and writer, his access to the Pope and to senior officials of the Holy See, the dramatic life of his subject--- all these make the nearly 900 pages of this immense book richly rewarding for the serious reader. Consistently throughout "Witness to Hope," George Weigel paints a fervently evangelical and intellectual Pope who presents Christianity as demanding, but exciting and fulfilling. One might say the same about George Weigel's book: it makes greater demands upon the reader than would a more superficial, sentimental biography--- but it richly rewards the reader with its account of an important life.

This is a comprehensive biography of Pope John Paul II, based on extensive interviews and a thorough study of writings by the Pope covering more than 50 years. Despite the size of the book, it is very readable. The author places emphasis on the significance of John Paul's contributions to philosophy, theology, evangelism, and the Catholic Church over the long run. Hence the book is more than journalism, a common fault of most treatments of the life of this Pope. While the author has made a strong case elsewhere (in the magazine First Things) for Pope John Paul II as the most important person of the 20th century, this book leaves one with the clear impression that of all the leaders of the 20th century, John Paul is the most likely to have the greatest influence on the course of the 21st century. I cannot think of a better book to read as the new millenium approaches.

This is it. Usually, the Roman Catholic church relies on local or regional definitions of the complete Faith. Every several hundred years, she pulls it together into something universal. We happen to have lived in a time when the world can enjoy a contemporary text that distills and elucidates Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition within the context of the Magesterium (teaching authority of the church via the bishops). Every Roman Catholic should have this book. Everyone else who wonders what Roman Catholicism is about should get a copy. I finally got through my first reading of this Catechism, and am getting the first dark glimpse of the Big Catholic Picture. I'm looking forward to going through it again and again. The cross-referencing to Sacred Scripture, Councils, etc. is phenomenal.

Being a Christian who recently chose to be a member of the Catholic Church, I found this book to be most helpful. This book contains scriptures to support the faith and worship of the Church. The Catholic Church is a valid Christian and Biblical church. Consider the following verses from the Bible:"...make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you"(Matthew 28:19,20) "the Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.(John 14:26), "...the Spirit of truth will guide you to all truth.(John 16:13), "There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written."(John 21:25) "stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or a letter of ours."(2nd Thessalonians 2:15) From what the Bible says it is clear that in addition to the written Scriptures of the Bible the Church has an oral tradition that has continually been passed on from Jesus and the early Christians and bishops to the Church today. This Catechism gives testimony to those truths stated in the Scriptures. This is an excellent book.

....especially for Catholics (at least those who support Her teachings). This book will help anyone understand what the Church teaches and why She teaches it. The writing is clear and concise. The thought behind each paragraph draws upon 2000 years of Christian truth. I would, however, recommend the second edition, the one with the green cover. It contains "The INDEX OF CITATIONS", which unfortunately, this version does not. This allows one to reference scripture, verse by verse, with a corresponding paragraph in the catechism. This will prove valuable when studying sctipture. I that recommend this book accompany every Catholic to any Bible study or faith group he or she plans to attend. It never ceases to amaze me just how little people (especially Catholics!) know what the Church teaches.

When I first read the beginning of the book, I thought this book is soooo boring, but after awhile, I fell in love with the book! Madeline Beck wants to do her part in the war with her father being gone. She lives in Mrs.Hawkin's,"Mansion by the sea." She wants to be popular, have Johnny like her as more than just a friend, have her dad be home, and to quit biteing her nails! It is in the genre of historical fiction and (in my opinion) romance! If you love the other Dear America books, you will definatley love My Secret War:The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE anything about World War II. It's fascinating because so many individual people all over the world were affected by this huge war. People such as the fictional Madeline Beck. Even though she isn't fighting on the front with her dad, she's still fighting against the war as best she can where she lives. She's discouraged because all her fellow students think about is petty things like dances and clothing. Sure, there's the occasional metal drive, but she feels that the kids of her town could do a whole lot more. So she takes it upon herself to form a club to help in any possible way for the War Effort.(I'd tell you more about what exactly she and her friends did to help, but I'd be giving too much away.)Soon Madeline becomes close friends with the Johnny Vecchio... the cutest boy in her class! But then her Secret War begins. Does he like her for herself, or for the bits of war happenings she tells about her dad? Then her dad is injured, and Madeline's world falls apart. Will Johnny stick by her, when she needs friendship most? Read and find out!

My Secret War is about a girl named Madeline but known as Maddie from friends. Madeline is a young girl who befriends a Clara, a Jewish and German immigrant, Theo, Clara's lover, and Johnny, her boyfriend or just pals. Maddie's father went to World War 2 to battle against the Germans (Nazis), and the Japanese. Maddie joins this club with Johnny and investigates shocking things about the Japanese and the Nazis and tries to help America win World War 2. But when her father had been wounded Maddie's life turned up-side-down so she quit the club and being lonely in her dark,lonesome room, thinking. And she later just moves on with her life. I highly recommend you to read this book. Mrs. Osborne has done a wonderful job on this book.

Daniel Silva has penned a series of spy thrillers, whose main character is Gabriel Allon, an Israeli spy-assassin, doubling as an art restorer. Allon's credibility is infallible as he pledges to continue a slain colleague's attempt to reveal a secretive Vatican society.

This novel captures the tragedy of the Holocaust, recounting soberly and with sadness the Nazi atrocities, and the continued efforts of major world-players to conceal their involvement. The troubling role of the Catholic Church in the Second World War and the refusal of the Church to release its records from that period is realized through Allon's willingness to expose the truth and protect the Pope from the darkest members of the covert Vatican society.

The combination of international intrigue, fast-paced action, and institutional politics is woven together by Silva in an absorbing portrait of a crisis where human life is of no consequence to many who would kill to protect their institutions from attack.

The Pope's key role of insisting that the church live up to its ideals, together with the network of comrades who enable Allon to secure his trust, has a ring of both truth and idealism that is reassuring and heartening.

Each year I look forward to Daniel Silva's new thriller. The Confessor was worth the wait. After starting off slowly, the novel quickly picks up steam.

As is usual with a suspense novel, there are a few plots to keep track of, three in The Confessor. Though it is hard to remember the various characters at first, they quickly become integral parts of the novel. Silva develops his characters wonderfully. None are faultless, but all are a joy to read about.

Readers of The Kill Artist and The English Assassin will be familiar with The Confessor's protagonist, Gabreil Allon. This book takes place a few years after the events of The English Assassin. Gabriel is restoring a fresco in a Venetian church when Ari Shamron, his sometimes spymaster, comes to him with a job. Gabriel's friend and fellow spy, Benjamin Stern, had been killed. Shamron wants Gabriel to investigate the death. Gabriel reluctantly accepts and goes off to Munich. It is there that the book really begins.

Gabriel uncovers evidence that Stern had gone to Italy while in the process of researching a book that he (Stern) was writing. As the novel progresses, Gabriel investigates and unearths a conspiracy in the Catholic Church. Like all other Silva novels, The Confessor has a healthy dose of breathless chase scenes, exotic European locales, and multiple assumed identities. The Confessor will be enjoyed by all fans of Silva's earlier work, and those with an interest in international intrigue.

Daniel Silva continues his winning ways with "The Confessor," a first-rate follow-up to Silva's wonderful spy novel, "The English Assassin." Gabriel Allon is back as the moody and talented art restorer who is also an agent for the Israeli secret service. Allon's old boss, the tough and crusty Ari Shamron, has called on Allon to investigate the murder of Benjamin Stern, Professor of European Studies in Munich.

Allon would prefer to stay out of the spying game. However, he cannot refuse to investigate the death of Beni Stern. Gabriel and Beni had been agents for the Israeli Secret Service years ago, and a bond had formed between them. Allon is eager to bring his friend's killer to justice. Before long, Allon discovers that Beni was murdered because he was about to reveal some damaging and controversial information about the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and Nazi Germany during World War II. Allon's quest for Beni's killer pits him against powerful and dangerous members of a secret organization who will stop at nothing to keep their dirty secrets buried.

As he did in "The English Assassin," Silva makes good use of some colorful locales in Europe. The scene switches frequently between Italy, Germany, Austria and France, as the tense drama unfolds. Silva skillfully describes the political machinations and friction between a progressive Pope and the reactionary individuals who oppose him.

The characters in "The Confessor" are lively, the action is electrifying, and the plot is filled with unpredictable twists and turns. Silva, once again, shows great courage in tackling a topic that will make many people uncomfortable. Did the Catholic Church turn its back on the Jews during World War II, and if so, why? Although this question may never be answered fully, it is important to keep asking it, until the secret documents that are hidden in the Vatican's archives are opened for all the world to see.

So, everyone knows the story of the Iliad. We're all familiar with the Greeks and the Trojans and the horse and lines written about it with regard to "Who is he to Hecuba?" I've been reading different translations of it since grade school. What sets this one apart?

Richmond Lattimore, a Dartmouth College Alum, goes to great lengths to preserve the original language and tries to keep the story in poetic form while translating the Greek as literally as possible. This is seen on simpler levels, i.e. the use of non-anglicized name (Aias instead of Ajax) but pervades the entire book on a larger level. This keeps the awe which the tale conveys entact, and even makes it quite powerful, without going over the top and being silly, like the translations of certain professors at Princeton.

This is the beginning of everything. I'm not one of those who consider the Bible as the beginning of Western literature because those Jewish tales are interesting but not European. I have nothing to add about the Iliad that hasn't been said or written before and I wouldn't even try. But when I hear those first words 'Sing, o goddess, Achilles' wrath -ill-fated wrath...' something trembles inside me because I know my forbears are talking to me and telling me a terrible story of bravery and death, of war, bravery, swords, love, terrible human sacrifices that took place in the Mediterranean world just a few thousand years ago. It's so human -even the bravest warrior is afraid when he sees death coming. And I highly recommend to read aloud or recite those words because this is not a novel, but poetry and you have to feel it in your mouth, even if you don't speak or read Greek. I can tell you, Homer sounds marvellous in Spanish and I guess that if you have a good translation, it must sound wonderful in English or French or German as well. So this is not a review but a testimony of my love towards the first one we know that created beauty with words and with such a bloody story.

I am happy to see that this translation of The Iliad of Homer has remained in print. My copy is over 25 years old and I still regard it as my favorite. Mr. Lattimore has sought to preserve the meaning of the Greek words and the didactic hexameter rhythm, including the additional phrases (such as the warlike, breaker of horses etc.) that make the Iliad poetry to be recited, not read. I like the flow of the words and their cadence, and sometimes read aloud.

Also of importance is the introduction to the Iliad by Mr. Lattimore where he provides an analysis of the poem, the Iliad in the context of the story of Troy, the unity of the poem and the figures that populate this heroic tale. This book is not only an outstanding translation but is also a resource for understanding the Iliad. Many scholars have regarded Lattimore's as the finest translation of the Iliad and I think that time has proved this to be an accurate prediction.

I bought this book, thinking it was a biography. Disappointed when I saw that it was fiction, it languished on my shelf, unread, for 6 months. Once I began reading it, however, I found it an easy and entertaining read.

The myth of a female pope has existed for a thousand years. Donna Woolfolk Cross has written an entertaining novel based on this premise, and allows the reader to step into the 9th century.

The Joan of this novel is born of a poor, pious but mean-spirited cleric and his Saxon wife. Joan has a thrist for learning, which is contrary to the teachings of the church at this time. Her thrist leads her into conflict with her father, leaving home to attend school, disguising herself as a man [taking on her brother's identity at his death] and joining a benedictine monaster, going to Rome and serving as the pope's doctor, ultimately becoming a cardinal and then pope.

Cross has done an excellent job of background research. The reader accepts being inthe 9th century, as s/he is soaked in the appropriate atmosphere: we learn of the medical practices, the hierarchy of the church, daily life, the "zeitgeist" of the age.

However, I found the character of Joan too perfect. Joan was portrayed as more intelligent than men, more honest than men, more caring than men. She was so perfect that there was no opportunity for her character to develop. I felt that Cross' underlying purpose was to promote a feminist viewpoint, not to honestly examine the historical evidence of whether or not Joan indeed existed. This bias of our time undermined what could have been a great novel.

I thought this was a great book. I enjoy historical fiction, especially tales of women, ordinary and extra-ordinary, during the dark or middle ages. I actually read this book a year or two ago, and today I saw a documentary about Pope Joan. I was astounded at how much I had actually learned (and retained) from this novel. The historic evidence reviewed by the team of scholars was obviously known to the author of Pope Joan. I can hardly wait for two things: 1. The Pope Joan film (pleasepleaseplease do the novel proud!); and 2. The next novel from Donna Woolfolk Cross.

"Pope Joan" is truly a page-turning epic that will keep you reading until your done. Extremely well researched and detailed! Albiet, it's not a tale for the faint-hearted, as it deals (often in gruesome detail) with the attrocities which occurred in ignorance during the Dark Age. The victims of such ignorance, were usually women, who were treated as less than human. However, it is a book which most history-buffs and avid readers alike will be interested in, as it is intertwined with real life settings - and an unforgettable legend of a determined woman's triumph.

The subject is a bit shallow, perhaps, but Farquahar's writing is hilarious and you must admit, it's fun. His stories are well researched and accurate portrayals of some shocking, dirty, horrendous, and often VERY funny escapades in the lives of prominent European rulers down through the centuries. If you're not into European history, you'll read it quickly, enjoy the ride, and accidentally learn a lot along the way. If you are, you'll love the refreshingly funny writing style and unique focus (they don't tell you THAT in textbooks!), and you'll appreciate the detailed geneologies in the front and chronologies in the back that are an inestimable help in keeping straight the tangled branches of Europe's royal family trees.

A terrific, really well-written book which shows us that scandal is NOT exclusive to the present-day. It's great fun to read about the atrocious goings-on by various royals and popes--but this is also one of those books where you learn a great deal in a fun, painless way. I wish all history were written like this!

On a short trip to the beach, I picked up this book and had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed reading about the Royalty and their good times as well as their hardships. I was shocked (being a Catholic) to read about the Popes and their actions centuries ago. Reading about the Popes' "Nephews" was shocking. Michael's writing is excellent. It was very easy to read and follow the many different characters. He brings humor to history. I definitely recommend this book.