Pope John Paul II (Biography (A & E)) - Softcover

Gr. 7-10. Going beyond the distant news images of the ailing Pope John Paul II at the end of his life, this lively entry in the A & E Biography series presents the dramatic story of Karol Wojtyla. The account follows him from his youth in a small Polish village during the dark days of the Holocaust and his training as a priest in an underground Krakow seminary, to his work as teacher, priest, and bishop under Communist rule and his 25 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church. Behnke's writing style is clear and direct, and the inviting design includes lots of black-and-white photos and occasional sidebars. Sources are fully documented, and chapter notes appear at the back. Along with the inspiring story of the Pope's courage, faith, and work for peace, Behnke also includes the voices of his critics, who condemned his conservative views on such topics as abortion, birth control, homosexuality, and a male-only clergy. An excellent title for reports and good personal reading for those interested in the man as well as issues of faith and politics. Hazel Rochman
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Grade 6-9–Although this book mentions John Paul II's recent death, it does not cover his passing in any detail, but it provides a very human portrait of the former leader of the Catholic Church. The pope's life and work, from his earliest days in Poland, including the loss of each of his family members by the age of 20, to his personal experience with Nazism and communism, are all discussed. Behnke does a good job of tying the experiences of Karol Wojtyla to his life's work as a priest and finally leader of a billion Catholics. Anecdotes and quotes from friends and colleagues also provide a personal touch, as do the many black-and-white photos of the pope from early childhood to his final days. While the author does attempt to point out that the pope's policies and stances were not embraced by all, the text is still highly favorable. A solid addition to biography collections.–Carol Fazioli, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, PA
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