Rating: 
Summary: Revealing and deep, a work of substance
Review: For those who have enjoyed Wm. F. Buckley over the years and were curious how he became the superbly erudite, always thoughtful, engaging man he is-- even if one hasn't always agreed with him-- this splendid, revealing book examines the origins of his deep faith as a Catholic, and how his opinions were shaped. Explaining his "traditional" education-- that is, a disciplined, intensive, Western canon-oriented one, replete with Christian history taught by pious priests-- WFB reminds us what "family values" truly were when he was growing up. While he was raised in great comfort, one comes away without economic resentment of either young William F. Buckley or his nine (yes, nine) brothers and sisters. There was little laggardness in that household; his father was a stern man with little tolerance for intellectual or other laziness, his mother a woman of great virtue committed to her faith and family. At the end of this rich book, any man with young children will begin searching for the equivalent of St. John's academy, the tiny Catholic school just outside pre-war London where Buckley's father sent him at age 13 after the elder Buckley claimed "it had been five years since he'd understood a single word" spoken by young William or his sisters (they were sent to the girl's equivalent, St. Mary's). And the school voucher amendment will have no trouble passing. If Buckley's fans were as active as Howard Stern's, this book would have been at the top of the New York Times best-seller list for a year.
Rating:
Summary: A Book that Will Take on Greater Importance with Time
Review: I am a former Catholic turned evangelical. I must say that despite great differences in Catholic and evangelical thought, there is a goldmine of information that Buckley presents. First, Buckley's employing Cardinal Newman's defense of Catholicism is an excellent presentation of Catholic thought. Equally interesting are the real-life apologetics afforded by Monsignor Knox to one, Mr. Lunn (the latter converted to Catholicism in part due to M. Knox's incisive responses). Evangelicals must understand Catholics, and they will walk away from these exchanges with a vivid, intelligent overview. Incredibly enough, the platforms used to buttress Catholic doctrine serve well, in logical terms, for Christian apologetics at-large. These gems, alone, are well-worth the read. Another fascinating feature includes snippets of responses from various luminaries on their opinions involving three questions. I won't spoil the plot; suffice it to say their responses bring joy to anyone thirsting for relevance in the Gospel and the Christian faith. The slice of life descriptions of involvement with David Nevin, Grace of Monaco, Charleton Heston, Malcolm Muggeridge, etc....well, you won't want to miss these. There is a wide difference between Catholicism and the evangelical world. Nevertheless, the essentials of Christianity are captured in Buckley's recountings--to the extent that reading them creates an intellectually and emotionally satisfying journey. The reader must invariably see Christ just as He was portrayed at the climax of "Ben Hur": God, Who is near. Lastly, I surely came away in awe of Buckley's caressing of the English language. Yes, Bill, "Well done, Lord...our Lord." And, "well done" to His servant, too.
Rating:
Summary: A Book that Will Take on Greater Importance with Time
Review: I am a former Catholic turned evangelical. I must say that despite great differences in Catholic and evangelical thought, there is a goldmine of information that Buckley presents. First, Buckley's employing Cardinal Newman's defense of Catholicism is an excellent presentation of Catholic thought. Equally interesting are the real-life apologetics afforded by Monsignor Knox to one, Mr. Lunn (the latter converted to Catholicism in part due to M. Knox's incisive responses). Evangelicals must understand Catholics, and they will walk away from these exchanges with a vivid, intelligent overview. Incredibly enough, the platforms used to buttress Catholic doctrine serve well, in logical terms, for Christian apologetics at-large. These gems, alone, are well-worth the read. Another fascinating feature includes snippets of responses from various luminaries on their opinions involving three questions. I won't spoil the plot; suffice it to say their responses bring joy to anyone thirsting for relevance in the Gospel and the Christian faith. The slice of life descriptions of involvement with David Nevin, Grace of Monaco, Charleton Heston, Malcolm Muggeridge, etc....well, you won't want to miss these. There is a wide difference between Catholicism and the evangelical world. Nevertheless, the essentials of Christianity are captured in Buckley's recountings--to the extent that reading them creates an intellectually and emotionally satisfying journey. The reader must invariably see Christ just as He was portrayed at the climax of "Ben Hur": God, Who is near. Lastly, I surely came away in awe of Buckley's caressing of the English language. Yes, Bill, "Well done, Lord...our Lord." And, "well done" to His servant, too.
Rating:
Summary: A Returning Catholic
Review: I decided not to reveiw anything the other day, but I cannot let this pass. I have been reading this book, piecemeal and slowly, over some time--and by now I am getting other books, fully intending to inform myself so that I can return to the Church, a process which began slowly, years ago, when I read a pro-abortion law journal article written by my former (and atheistic) husband and published by the St. John's University Law Review in the early 1960's. In it he presented the "medical position" simply as supporting the idea that because the zygote has, as of the moment of fertilization (conception) a complete set of genes from each parent, it is a life ( and therfore should not be aborted). From that moment on, I was against abortion. Of course this did not speak to the existence of the soul(etc.!), but it was a start. I am nothing like as informed as perhaps I should be, and although I have heard of Kirkus Review, I have never even seens it--but I am appalled! I thought that the review saying the the author had enlisted the help of Claire Booth Luce and Malcolm Muggeridge as part of his Forum was a customer review--and I went to check the book simply on this point of fact because I thought there was a customer (!) who thought that these two people, in particular, were part of his "Forum". After checking to see that they were not, because unfortunately both were dead before they could be asked to particpate, I came back to this page only to see that the error was not on the part of a customer, but on the part of the reviewer for Kirkus Review. The reviewer names these two and Fr. Neuhaus as being memebers of the author's "Forum" specifically--when in fact the first two were not. I am sorry, relative to what the reveiwer is trying to say, this may be a minor point-- but I don't think so--he could at least get his facts correct. Indeed that is not all that's wrong with that review: I have to reread considerable parts of this book --including much of the material complained of by the reviewer ( especially just what the "Forum" had to say. I confess I have not fisnished the book either--I am saving "Experiencing Lourdes" for --well, soon. But I'm sure that that reveiwer's and other reviewers' crticisms of that chapter are unjustified. At any rate, this book and this author figures (and will have figures) in what is becoming (and will have become) my return to the church. Further, during elementary school I attended a private Roman Catholic day school that was also a convent.We had Low Mass every morning before classes except Fridays when we had High Mass--which of course the whole school (1-12) sang in Latin. That the Latin Mass--including and especially High Mass--but really both of them--could be abolished is absolutely awful. Further I did not think that the appaling developments and states of affairs in the prep schools discussed was boring, irreleant, or anything of the kind. I never heard of his prep school ( and I'm sure he never heard of mine--which long since ceased to exist --probably because it could only be what ii was with the one headmistress that it has had since it came into existence--she was a British converted Catholic--and there were other Catholic teachers. Attendance every Sunday in a Christian church was mandatory for all students. When I complained to one of my teachers and the headmsitress that I was losing my faith, they got a priest to come to talk to me regularly for an hour. This helped at least temporarily. So all these things do matter and this book (and its author) are (and will have been) among the influence resulting in my not very distant (I'm sure) return to The Church for which he and they are to be thanked.
Rating: 
Summary: Buckley avoids tough questions
Review: I enjoyed this book very much but I was also disappointed with it. As others have noted, the book is fairly schizophrenic in intent: Not personal enough to be a real autobiography of faith, not ambitious enough to be a book about the state of current catholicism. Buckley notes in the foreward that he changed the title from its original: Why I am still a catholic. I am left wishing he would address exactly that question. He says he fell in love with the Latin Mass, and was shocked at how the Mass after VII degenerated into a raucus hootenanny. He speaks of loyalty of Catholics to the Pope but has he actually failed to notice that the policies of American bishops are often defiantly out of line with Rome? As a leader of the political right, SURELY he has noted how American bishops frequently mistake Democrat and socialist politics for theology, yet we hear nothing about it. He presents a very interesting discussion of the secularism of society (including the secula! rizing of "Christmas" celebrations), but surely he cannot have missesd the moral relativism and religious indifferentism in the Church, especially the American Church. Mr. Buckley, why in the world are you still a Catholic? Or, perhaps more precisely, do you think the Roman Catholic Church is still Roman Catholic?
Rating:
Summary: A Returning Catholic
Review: I just had to comment on this book. I have had it for a while and have been readking it slowly, piecemeal, for some time and am not yet finished. However, it, ( and other things) have already had the effect of my ordering other books on my faith, Roman Catholcism, in order to inform myself and prepare myself for my return to The Church in the not too distant future. I read the reviews here today, and i thought that the review specifically complaining about the author's having enlisted the help of Clare Booth Luce, Malcolm Muggeridge and Fr. Niehaus as members of his "Forum" was a customer review. I went to check the book on this point of fact : the first two of these were both dead before the author could ask them to particpate and so of course they did not. When I came back to this page, I discovered that the review in which this error had occurred was NOT a customer review, it was a professional review. The error was made by the reviewer for the Kirkus Review. Even if this is a minor point relative to what he was trying to say, I think that he should have been more accurate. Also that's not all that's wrong with that review, and other similar criticisms: there wasn't a thing wrong with the idea of his "Forum", nor with its content and presention, nor with his presentation of the opinions of others. Had either or both or Clare Booth Luce and Malcolm Muggeridge been alive and able to join his "Forum" so much the better. Also, I have yet to read "Experiencing Lourdes" but I seriously doubt that any of the criticisms of the chapter are valid. Further, I do not accept (thought I will have to live with) the abolition of the Latin Mass, nor do I think it had the intended effect or a desirable one. I attended, from 1st to 6th grade, a Roman Catholic day school that was also a convent in Ohio. We had Low Mass in Latin every day of the week before classes except Friday, and we had High Mass, which of course the whole school (1-12) sang in Latin, every Friday. We did NOT sound bad! No one was "reserved". It was the most natural thing in the world. I'm sure I wasn't the only one that loved it. I am sure I'm not the only one that misses it. The paert(s) of the book devoted to the current state of affairs in the preparatory schools dicussed was not boring, irrelevant or unimportant. For part of high school I attended a prep school in Massachusetts which has long since ceased to exist probably because their first headmistress, who had been there for years when I got there, was considered to be irrepaceable. She was a converted Catholic, and many of the teachers were Catholic. Attendance at a Christian church every Sunday was mandatory for all students and we were all taken to our respective churches on the schools buses. When I complained to one of the teachers and the headmistress that I was losing my faith, they got a priest to come and talk to me for an hour on a regular basis which helped at the time. So these things do matter. I count this book and this author among the helpful influences which are resulting (and will have resulted relatively soon, I'm sure) in my permanent return to The Church. I am thankful for these.
Rating:
Summary: A Returning Catholic
Review: I just had to put my two cents worth in about this book. I have been reading it slowly, and piecemeal, over some time, and have some rereading to do and a way to go. However, it has already happened that I am getting other books on the subject of my faith, Roman Catholicism, --now--knowing that this is going to result in my return to The Church--after many, many years of absence--in the not too distant future. What I had to comment on is perhaps a minor point, but I really must. I read the reveiws of this book here today, and I thought that the reveiw that complained about, specifically, the author's having enlisted the help of Clare Booth Luce, Malcolm Muggeridge, and Fr. Niehaus as members of his "Forum" was a customer review. I went to check the book on this point o fact: the first two were both dead before the author could ask them to particpatein his "Forum"-so of course they did not. I came back to this page only to dicover that the review in which this error had been made was not a customer review at all--the reviewer for the Kirkus Review made this error. I think he should at least get his facts correct, even if perhaps this is small point relative to what he was trying to say. Also that is not all that's wrong with that reveiw. In the first place, there is noithing wrong with the author's having had his "Forum"--and had either or both of Clare Booth Luce and Malcolm Muggeridge been able to join it--so much the better. Not only was there nothing wrong with it--it was a good thing. I have yet to read "Experiencing Lourdes" but I seriously doubt that the criticisms of it--whether by any professionals or customers-- are valid. Further, I am absolutely unaccepting (though I will have to live with it) of the fact that the Latin Mass has been abolished--and I don't happen to feel that the change has had the intended effect, or a positive one. I attended a private Roman Catholic day school in Ohio from 1st to 6th grade which was also a convent--and we had Low Mass (in Latin) every morning before classes except Fridays when we had High Mass which of course the entire school (1-12) sang in Latin. No one had a problem singing. No one was "reserved". It was the most natural thing in the world and I loved it, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one. Also, we dod NOT sound bad! Further, I don't think that the part of the part(s) of the book devoted to the deveolpement of the current situations and states of affairs in the preparatory schools dicussed was irrelevant, boring, or anything of the kind. I hadn't heard of his prep school--and he may never have heard of mine which was in Massachusetts and has long since ceased to exist, probably becuase the first headmistress, who had been there for years when I got there, was irreplacable. The headmistress was a converted Catholic, and other teachers werre Catholic. Attendance in a Christian church every Sunday was mandatory. When I complained to one teacher and the headmistress that I was losing my faith, they got a Catholic priest to come and talk to me on a regular basis which helped for as long as I was there, at least. So these things do matter. I count this book (and its author) among the helpful influences which are resulting in (and will have resulted in, I'm sure) my return to The Church.
Rating: 
Summary: no depth, no true charity, just catechism rehashed
Review: I left the Catholic Church a few years ago just because of the rules about papal infallibility, contraception - not the rules as such but their complete overshadowing of personal responsibility of each of us and their lack of charity. In a way, Mr. Buckley's book is reassuring. If that is what Catholicism is, the correctness of my decision to leave is reaffirmed for me. And goodness, the argument that something is good (the centralistic One Church of Catholicism) because it has been around for a long time - I was astonished to see that this argument still is printable in a serious book! I give the book a 2 because it is nicely written but don't expect anything that really inspires or breaks new ground in here.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: I was given the opportunity to read this book by a friend who was examining Catholicism herself. I am a Roman Catholic, and found Buckley's examination of what the Catholic Church is, its meaning to its members, and its place in the world excellent. He put the question of the aspects of Catholicism on the table in several forums, and I found that in the end it reaffirmed my faith in what I can honestly say is my chosen church. I would recommend this book to those considering conversion to Catholicism, as well as established Catholics.
Rating:
Summary: Brillian but lacking
Review: I've always admired William F. Buckley, Jr. I've particularly enjoyed his Blackford Oakes espionage novels. He writes with dry wit, subtle satire, and entertaining characters. I was intrigued to discover he'd penned an "Autobiography of Faith." Although I was born Catholic, I was not raised Catholic. Nonetheless, I've appreciated many of the Catholic tenets and approached our differences with an open heart and mind. With this in mind, I cracked the pages of "Nearer, My God." Buckley starts off with his early years and paves the way to understanding his background. I have no question of his deep belief and honest relationship with God. Unfortunately, he deviates from the autobiographical approach and turns the spotlight on theological and moral arguments regarding Catholicism. In a further departure form the autobiography indicated on the cover, Buckley leans heavily on the opinions and debates of others. I did enjoy the perspectives brought to the table. Some were eye-opening, others enlightening, a few disturbing. What about Buckley's own journey of faith, though? He seems to have grown up with a set of views that he rarely stepped away from. I admire that. But instead of seeing a heartfelt struggle with God, I found within these pages a striving to validate that which he's always believed. For his benefit? For ours? Either way, the book did not live up to its promise. I can recommend it for the interesting viewpoints and debates expressed by Buckley's peers and forebears. I cannot recommend it as an "Autobiography of Faith." For satisfaction along those lines, I'd turn to Anne Lamott, Kathleen Norris, even the Pope's lucid books. I wanted to know the heart behind Buckley's mind. I didn't find it here.
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