1917: Red Banners, White Mantle

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and well-written history
Review: 1917 was the year the USA entered WWI, the year of the Communist revolution, and the year of Our Lady of Fatima. This book ties these three stories together with fascinating accounts and riveting anecdotes. Read about the year's great leaders and their attempts to re-shape the world, while all along, in a peaceful village in Portugal, the Queen of Heaven had the formula for peace. The book is a must for anyone studying WWI and the Communist revolution. First rate Catholic history.

Rating:
Summary: See How God Works in the World!
Review: So many separate events --- the First World War, the ascension of Emperor Charles of Austria, the failure of his peace plan, the reign of Czar Nicholas of Russia, the shenanigans of Rasputin, the collapse of Russia's first revolutionary government and the rise of Lenin --- all these are tied together to show that God really is in control. The appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Portugal in that fateful year of 1917 brings it all home. I have long been fascinated by the events of the Russian Revolution, but until I read this book I had only a vague notion of the pattern, the proof, that these were not just random events happening without reason. Human beings brought about the terrible First World War, and all the tragedies and disasters that led to Russia's fall to Communism. But God has managed to let all things work for good, ultimately. This is a fascinating and educational book. Enjoy it!