Rating: 
Summary: Just Get It: The Comprehensive Manual on Liturgical Abuse
Review: Akin explains in good (but not overwhelming) detail what should and should NOT occur at the Latin rite Catholic mass. Most importantly, he cites and quotes the applicable authorities (canon law and otherwise) governing the liturgy. If you're a novice to the subject (as I still am), start with the useful chart in the back of the book, which says if a certain liturgical practice is lawful or not, and then read the cited pages for the discussion of the subject. If you have ever suspected that there has been anything wrongfully added or subtracted from your parish's liturgy, you now have the resource to prove it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: Akin has given Catholics just what many wanted, an easily-accessible source of liturgical norms. He uses the official Church documents and rubrics to explain the do's and don'ts of the Latin-rite liturgy. With many "innovations" and changes to the liturgy that we see today, this book helps wade through the opinions to get down to the official word and final say in the matter. This book isn't for everyone. It has one goal to tell you what should and shouldn't be done in the liturgy. It doesn't answer the "why's" or tell us where the problems came from. There are other books that do that well. A warning: Don't think that you are now the Liturgical Lone Ranger just because you have read this book. Too many pastors will continue to do their own thing regardless of the Church's rules - so be discerning in how you use it and keep praying.
Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone
Review: Akin has given Catholics just what many wanted, an easily-accessible source of liturgical norms. He uses the official Church documents and rubrics to explain the do's and don'ts of the Latin-rite liturgy. With many "innovations" and changes to the liturgy that we see today, this book helps wade through the opinions to get down to the official word and final say in the matter. This book isn't for everyone. It has one goal to tell you what should and shouldn't be done in the liturgy. It doesn't answer the "why's" or tell us where the problems came from. There are other books that do that well. A warning: Don't think that you are now the Liturgical Lone Ranger just because you have read this book. Too many pastors will continue to do their own thing regardless of the Church's rules - so be discerning in how you use it and keep praying.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of the Liturgy
Review: Although liturgical practice tends to be the most tedious and boring subjects of the Catholic faith, Akin uses his unique writing talent to engage this monumental task. This work is thorough and complete, while at the same time easy to understand for the average layman. The only thing I regret after reading this book is that when I go to Mass, it's difficult to not enjoy it completely. It's quite easy to read a liturgical book and become a "liturgy policeman", since abuses nowadays are so common. I go to a parish in Berkeley, so this parish definitely has its share of liturgical abuses in the name of "ecumenism". But this is something I can't blame the book for, since I'm sure all excellent liturgical treatments will result in this type of mentality. Regardless, this book is still recommended. It allows you to appreciate the Mass for what it is and show you the reasoning behind certain aspects of Catholic worship.
Rating:
Summary: Western Mass confusion
Review: As a Orthodox (Eastern Catholic) christian, I found the book enjoyable but not surprising. Since the West has embarked on its post Vatican Two liturigical choas with Mass make it up as we go along thinking, I have seen a marked decline of respect for the sacred. The book is open and attempts honesty. I just hope some western catholics will read it and think before they find themselves in a strange new church with a weekly change in liturgy.
Rating:
Summary: A very useful resource in an age of liturgical 'innovation'
Review: At mass, you notice that the priest routinely omits the Confetior. You wonder, "Is this permitted?" If you had read James Akin's book, you would know that the answer is yes. However, when this same priest substitutes the Apostles Creed for the Nicene Creed at an adult mass, you'll also know that he's stepped over the line. Always respectful to the priestly office, James Akin has written a terrific resource for Catholics who worry that their priest might be taking liturgical innovation too far. He also gives detailed instructions on how to approach a priest who has transgressed liturgical law, and what to do if you can't get a response. In these days of clown and balloon masses, paganesque liturgical dancing, and 'guest speakers' at the homily, this book will offer valuable guidance for the confused layman.
Rating:
Summary: This book easily wins the "five-star" award.
Review: Charity---that is, Gospel love---is based on obedience to the will of God. And for a man to obey the will of God, he must obey the will of the Catholic Church. Indeed, there can be no true happiness on or off the earth apart from holy obedience. Adherence to this principle is what makes this book so great. A lot of liturgical texts and liturgical "experts" advocate disobedience to the Church's law in order to make the Mass more "spiritual" or "relevant." Worse still, they promote deviations from the will of the Church as the "spirit of Vatican II." These sentiments, however, are false, because the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass is not the private property of liturgical "experts." It is, rather, the public prayer of the Church, and the highest form of worship. Thus it is thoroughly improper to make changes to the Mass that are not in accord with Church law. Disobedience, particularly disobedience of the Church in her highest form of worship, is a kind of uncharity---truly an affront to God. Thus, disobedient Masses are not more "spiritual;" they are, rather, highly destructive of the spirit (which must have charity in it in order to live). Disobedient Masses are certainly not more "relevant," either. There is, in the end, really only one thing that is "relevant," and that is the grace that Christ gave us when he sacrificed himself on Calvary. Nothing, therefore, could possibly be more "relevant" than a Mass conducted according to the wishes of Christ. (It is, of course, Christ's will that men obey his Church.) Finally, there is no more terrible a lie than to say that Vatican II promoted disobedience of the Church; the great council, truly guided by the Holy Spirit, never said such a thing. Mr. Akin's book cuts through all the liturgical "experts'" fallacies with ease, and simply states what the Church requires. Every Mass should be celebrated the Church's way; and that way is spelled out with flawless accuracy in the book. Mr. Akin gives us the _real_ spirit of Vatican II, not the imposter that is so popular among the "experts." Mr. Akin's work is a terrific accomplishment, and let us hope and pray that it will be the catalyst for a new liturgical renewal in the Church---one that reflects the authentic teaching of the Second Vatican Council. As Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger puts it, it is time for a "reform of the reform," and this book is a great place to start. This book gets the five-star rating without hesitation.
Rating:
Summary: Protect your liturgical rights!
Review: I can't stress how important it is to own this book. Every Catholic needs a copy next to the Catechism, Missal, and Canon Law. I'm sure you've all seen minor liturgical abuses (ommission of the lavabo, ad lib on the blessing of gifts, improper postures, etc), defend your right to an Orthodox and Catholic [universal] liturgy. Don't worry about being overly pedantic, these are your rights as members of the universal Church....but don't let it go to your head either, mass is a place for worship of God, not a courtroom. An invaluable book.
Rating:
Summary: Do or Don't
Review: I have thought since the folk mass enthusiasm of my college days that liturgical abuse would come back to haunt us. So it has. This book is the beginning of a new remedy for repairing the damage done to the liturgy by inarticulate wannabe talk-show priests who intended the Mass to be--well, more like Oprah or (the icon of the period) Phil. What we learn is simple: a priest who can't extemporize in Latin shouldn't try it in English. What is legitimate is written. The rest is--or should be--silence.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource
Review: I recommend Mass Confusion to anyone who is serious about the liturgy. I've purchased a copy for many priests and I use it as a resource for adult and high school level education. I hope it becomes available in Spanish.
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