After coming home from the book exhibit yesterday, I noticed a new book in our inventory: The Rise of Benedict XVI by John Allen. Having read portions of Allen's biography of the present Holy Father (the book, titled "Benedict XVI, the Life of Joseph Ratzinger" is a reprint of a 1999 biography), I was a bit cautious. That book did not exactly bestow praises on its subject. But I had also heard that events around the Conclave had given Allen such new insights that he was writing a new preface to the biography (that edition is expected around September). So anyway, I read the book. The whole book. In chapel. Until 10:40 p.m. (Those of you who know my usually preposterous early retiring each evening will realize how significant that is.)
The book is fabulous.
And it's only $19.95 in hardcover! (Doubleday.)
Read it. Revisit those spring days, feel the tears rise again over John Paul, feel the hope, feel the genuine encouragement from the well-chosen citations from Ratzinger's books and homilies. (Allen is a superb journalist; in preparation for the 1999 bio, he read ALL of Ratzinger's then-published books, including things only available in German. He probably knows Ratzinger's mind as well as anyone, even if he is not always in heartfelt harmony with the new Pope's perspective.)
I had a lot more to say about this book, but ... it's not like I was taking notes! Just read it.
1 comment:
Thank you for the review. I was going to take a "Pass" on the Allen book - but now I will read it. Thank you.
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