WASHINGTON — Longtime baseball writer and broadcaster Tim Kurkjian has called it “the greatest baseball story ever told.” And one of its central characters is a Catholic … Read More
Book Reviews
‘Bird’s-eye view’ of famed evangelist chronicles his strengths, flaws
The Rev. Billy Graham was just shy of his 100th birthday when he died last November. His death meant the loss of one of America’s best-known Christian … Read More
History of papacy needs to be read with critical eye
Early in “Absolute Power,” Paul Collins says 1799 “was probably the lowest point in the history of the papacy.” What follows is a look at Catholic history … Read More
Sociologists refute stereotypes about religious views toward science
If you think religion and science are mortal enemies in the United States, this book might change your mind. Based on extensive research across a wide swath … Read More
Larger-than-life, humbler figures offer glimpses of Irish lives
Whether one’s heritage is Irish or not, the inhabitants of the Emerald Isle continue to fascinate us. These two books offer a look at the past and … Read More
Book offers fresh ideas, church’s teachings as guide to decluttering
Organizing and decluttering are big business these days. Thanks in part to mass consumption of largely unnecessary material goods, many find themselves in a state of too … Read More
Decades-long friendship with author flavors biography of activist priest
Jim Forest has given us an extraordinary biography and memoir of Father Dan Berrigan (1921-2016), the Jesuit priest, poet and peace activist who sometimes went to jail … Read More
Sultans, commanders come to life in battles important to Catholics
Michael Greaney ties political, social and psychological factors into his riveting history of Turkish military incursions into Europe. After opening with the 11th-century’s Battle of Manzikert in … Read More
Compendium of monastic wisdom can aid in anyone’s spiritual journey
If you’ve ever wanted to sit down and pick the mind of a monk — a man or woman steeped in the church’s monastic tradition stretching back … Read More
Books recount differing spiritual journeys, but one needed more research
These two books represent spiritual journeys. Evans migrates from evangelicalism to the Episcopal Church, Bergsma from a Baptist to a Catholic. Of the two, Evans’ book delves … Read More
