John Paul II: A Pope for the People - Hardcover

Fischer Et Al., Heinz Joachim

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810949849 ISBN 13: 9780810949843

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2004

Synopsis

Five authoritative essays, highlighted by nearly 140 illustrations, take a close-up look at the life and papacy of Pope John Paul II, describing his complex personality and politics, his influence on the Catholic Church, his accomplishments, and the significance of a non-Italian pontiff.

About this title

About the Author:

Heinz-Joachim Fischer is a writer for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in Rome. Luigi Accattoli is a journalist and author of several books on John Paul II, including When a Pope Asks Forgiveness: The Mea Culpa's of Pope John Paul II. Arthur Hertzberg, rabbi and Jewish scholar, is professor emeritus of religion at Dartmouth College and author of A Jew in America. Hansjakob Stehle is a Vatican specialist who was for many years a correspondent for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Die Zeit. Marco Politi, coauthor with Carl Bernstein of His Holiness: John Paul II and the History of Our Time, contributes regularly to La Repubblica and Il Messaggero.

From Publishers Weekly:

This unusual book combines two unlikely genres-the topical scholarly anthology and the glossy photography book-into a successful and oddly erudite coffee table opus about the life and contributions of Pope John Paul II. Five authors present essays in their areas of specialization: Fischer offers an entertaining biographical study of the man born as Karol Wojtyla; Stehle examines the pope's legacy of anti-Communism and savvy understanding of international diplomacy; Hertzberg analyzes his relationships with Jews, especially during the crucial World War II years; Accattoli lauds his soul-searching humility in issuing more than 100 "mea culpa" statements throughout his papacy; and Politi explores his efforts to preserve the Church's exalted position in a rapidly changing Europe. The book is enhanced by 139 photographs, 111 of them in color and many of them large two-page spreads. We see grand, vivid scenes of papal visits to India and Cuba and mass celebrations in St. Peter's Square. These imposing images exist side-by-side with more intimate portraits of the pontiff at worship: kneeling at the grotto in Lourdes, France, for example, or paying his respects at a memorial in Auschwitz. The opening pages include historic photos of the pope as a boy and seminarian, while the final pages offer images from the 2003 jubilee celebration.
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About this edition

• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0810949849
• ISBN 13: 9780810949843
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 216