A Map of Life: A Simple Study of the Catholic Faith

Frank Sheed is one of my favorite theology authors, and this book did not disappoint. Before describing his map, he describes the destination (Heaven), and then lays out the paths provided by the Church to get there. Well done.

Sheed bases his book on the postulate that every man is on a journey. This journey ultimately must take into account the destination, but also who man is and the various turns he will encounter on the path. Sheed answers these questions, turning his attention to various aspects of human nature and the end of man as understood in Catholic theology. This is a useful book for clarifying one's thoughts on such topics as the Trinity, the Four Last things: death judgment, Heaven, Hell, and many other topics in between.

In his book "A Map of Life," Mr. Frank Sheed gives his short plan of life to the reader in simple, easy terms that are not extremely theological. At the same time, it is not watered down "Kumbayah" Catholicism. These are not meditations; they are simple chapters that outline certain truths that the Catholic Church holds. The book is very well written and is written from the perspective of a layman who spent fifty years preaching on the streetcorners of London. Various topics include original sin, Hell, the Supernatural Life, Heaven, and Law. A good read, "A Map of Life" can be knocked out in two afternoons.

This book contains a wealth of information on every single page. Father Sheed has an excellent way of presenting theology in a very simple, and interesting fashion. Since it is only about 150 pages, it might be appealing to people who aren't big fans of large theological treatises. I found the section that deals with the Supernatural Life (Sacraments, prayer, Mass) and how it comes to the soul to be the most exciting. Highly recommended to anyone interested in life's mission.