Nothing But the Truth

Rating:
Summary: My favorite Keating book
Review: It's true that Catholicism & Fundamentalism is widely known as Keating's landmark work, but this one sports more punch per page. Especially the chapter on the persecution of Catholics in Old Japan. I've read all of Keating's books and this one's my favorite. I finished it in one sitting. Could not put it down. I read it in a park, and passersby must have thought me a kook. I'd laugh (while reading the chapter about some of the reactions to Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, a booklet published by Catholic Answers that simply explains Catholic beliefs) then I'd cry (while reading the chapter on old Japan) then I'd howl in anger (when I read about a scientist trying to put words in the mouth of Pope John Paul II about evolution).

Rating:
Summary: My favorite Keating book
Review: It's true that Catholicism & Fundamentalism is widely known as Keating's landmark work, but this one sports more punch per page. Especially the chapter on the persecution of Catholics in Old Japan. I've read all of Keating's books and this one's my favorite. I finished it in one sitting. Could not put it down. I read it in a park, and passersby must have thought me a kook. I'd laugh (while reading the chapter about some of the reactions to Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, a booklet published by Catholic Answers that simply explains Catholic beliefs) then I'd cry (while reading the chapter on old Japan) then I'd howl in anger (when I read about a scientist trying to put words in the mouth of Pope John Paul II about evolution).

Rating:
Summary: Uneven
Review: These disconnected essays are all over the board, subject-wise and quality-wise. Some require familiarity with various apologetics interest groups to be understood. Some, by Keating's own admission, are hastily written and put forth arguments that are sketchy and incomplete. Some, such as the discussion of Ayn Rand, are well written and illuminating. Some, like the reflections on Greek Orthodox iconography and its history, are fascinating but not particularly connected to apologetics. Read this to get a smattering of interesting ideas and facts, not for a lesson in apologetics.

Rating:
Summary: Uneven
Review: These disconnected essays are all over the board, subject-wise and quality-wise. Some require familiarity with various apologetics interest groups to be understood. Some, by Keating's own admission, are hastily written and put forth arguments that are sketchy and incomplete. Some, such as the discussion of Ayn Rand, are well written and illuminating. Some, like the reflections on Greek Orthodox iconography and its history, are fascinating but not particularly connected to apologetics. Read this to get a smattering of interesting ideas and facts, not for a lesson in apologetics.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and helpful, but not terrific
Review: This book is a collection of 13 independent essays, some of which have been published in Mr. Keating's "This Rock" magazine. While it is nice and helpful supplemental reading for the Catholic apologist, there is really nothing groundbreaking here. It contains some interesting material on evolution and Ayn Rand. If you're looking for a follow-up book to Keating's "Catholicism and Fundamentalism," this is not it. If you want something at least vaguely similar from Keating, get "The Usual Suspects." But, of course, Mr. Keating is Novus Ordo and therefore the traditional Catholic may wish to get some other book instead before reading this one.

Rating:
Summary: Real-life apologetics
Review: This is a very intersting book. It gives you a sense of defending the Faith in real-life situations. Very compeling and fun to read, I strongly recommend this book along with all of Mr. Keating's works. (If you choose to support the apostolate, you may buy any of his books directly from Catholic Answers)