The Pontiff in Winter : Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II

Rating:
Summary: A good insider round-up of today's Vatican
Review: "There's nothing to see here! Please move on!" The Vatican in recent years has been like the scene of a horrible car accident and some of its defenders have been waving bystanders on as if it's nobody's business what's going on. Is Nero strumming to the backbeat of a crackling Rome? Thankfully Cornwell lifts the curtain and shows us what is happening in these halls of power during it's most recent apparent debacles. I know he gets on some of you people's nerves but you've really got to try to consider his points, especially regarding the Church's position vis-à-vis the American sexual abuse crisis and the horrible AIDS epidemic in Africa-FYI, hundreds of thousands are dying, millions will die and according to Cornwell the Church's position has only made a negative contribution.

Rating:
Summary: No thanks ......
Review: I received the recommendation for this book via an Amazon promo email based on what I've previously purchased ( Catholicism for Dummies) and wanted to respond. This book has nothing in common with Catholicism for Dummies, - or any other Catholic book I've purchased from Amazon. If you like for example, what Garry Wills writes, then you'll probably like Mr. Cornwell also, - but get a library copy, then you wouldn't have wasted your money. For a more thoroughly researched biography of John Paul II, - with no spin on it, read Witness to Hope by George Weigel, or The Courage to be Catholic, also by Weigel. I'd also suggest the new book- The Miracle detective, by Randall Sullivan, writer and editor for Rolling Stone.


Rating:
Summary: Only an observer
Review: In writing this book, we are certain that Mr. Cornwell remains, as always, only an observer of the See of Peter and the Roman Pontiff. His book stems from his observations and not from any understanding of the Catholic Faith. As is, the book is comparable to the upset neighbour's report on how the next door family operates. A book of conclusions made from his accounts of listening to fragmented conversations, peeking through the windows, and looking at some gardenwork done around the house. The only way to understand the Church and John Paul II is to join the family and have a seat at the dinner table. Until then, it will remain an annoyance for the neighborhood and a scandal to the un- and missinformed.

Rating:
Summary: valuable demystification
Review: John Cornwell has written a temperate, judicious and very helpful biography of the present pope. There is a human tendency to mystify all authority figures, and the Roman Church is not immune from this tendency. Cornwell offsets this tendency, e.g., as exemplified by George Weigel's biography of John Paul II, which easily qualifies as hagiography. (I am a Roman Catholic priest-theologian, ordained 42 years ago.)

Rating:
Summary: The Liar in Winter
Review: John Cornwell is as much of a Vatican insider as Guido Sarducci. If you have a particular interest in inaccurate polemics, Cornwell is your man. If you want to learn about the Pope, buy "Witness to Hope."

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Summary: "The Pontiff in Winter" A Polemic from Parochus
Review: Parochus makes the typically anemic criticism against all who question the Papacy. Deny, deny, deny. I grant that historically, John Paul II has been the most significant Pope of my Catholic lifetime. Has he actively done anything to propel the Mother Church forward?

No.

Parochus sounds as silly as any number of my orthodox friends regarding the Holy Father. Wake up, Parochus! Alice sleeps right next to you. This book regarding his Holiness is certainly accurate regarding the Holy Father's confusing legacy. I recommend it to any Catholic not too blind to be confronted with the truth.

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Summary: Petty Sniping
Review: The author has an axe to grind. This is a petty analysis of John Paul's term. Cornwell is looking for fault with everything the Pope has done. He starts from that premise. The Pope did or said this. How can I find fault?
I suspect the petty sniping comes from the author's fundamental issues with papal infallibility. Cornwell seems to be under some delusion that the doctrines of the faith should be openly debated rather than derive their authority from 2000 years of collected prayer, reflection and study.

Rating:
Summary: A balanced look at the Pope
Review: The author has given a very balanced look at the Pope, a human being who has both achieved great things and yet has also hurt the Church in some ways. Those who feel it's disloyal to point out the obvious downside along with the great achievements are living in denial. No one is perfect. In particular, on the plus side, Cornewell points out this Pope's considerable influence on the fall of Communism. This Pope's weakness has been an autocratic style of centralized power that has weakened the Church overall by denying the value of diversity, democracy and local control. He makes a strong case and yet is always respectful of this remarkable Pope. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: This book is a mish-mash of inconsequential detail. Some facts are not always accurate and sometimes they are contradictory.

For example, he refers to 'Pius VI', rather than Paul VI, reaching out to the Communist bloc.

John Cornwell reports that Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka (philosopher) spent "hundreds of hours with [the Pope], sometimes with his secretary present, but often alone". Later, the author maintains : "Invariably Wojtyla's secretary, Stanislaw Dziwisz, would be in attendance."