The Art of the Public Grovel: Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America

The act of confession is either a public act (for Evangelicals) or a private one (for Catholics). Bauer explains the history of confession, starting with the 1215 Forth Lateran Council and ending with Oprah's couch. The many examples she brings are a who's who of sexual sin, and reading through them is like reliving the events again. Some men (and almost all of the examples are men - Bauer explains why) are able to use the act of public confession to overcome the stigma of their bad act (Bill Clinton), others cannot (Jim Bakker). The use of confession and all its religious ties has become an important part of public life in the last century, and there doesn't seem to be any change coming. People interested in the reasons why confession is different than apology, and how to tell the difference the next time a Senator is caught in a men's room with a "wide stance" will enjoy this humorous and fascinating book. Wannabe politicians and public figures should keep a copy for reference on hand for the almost inevitable slip up.

I have to say that I got quite a bit out of this book. I'm fairly ignorant when it comes to religion and much of what Bauer says here is based on religious doctrine in regards to the act of confession. Thus, most of the narrative was new to me. Indeed, I knew nothing previously about Grover Cleveland's indiscretions or the scandals of Aimee Semple McPherson. With Senator Kennedy I've never respected or liked him for political reasons but morally he's a horror show. His so called "confession" over Chappaquidick was a travesty. With an ego like that we should be very glad he never became President. The Jimmy Swaggart chapter was truly perplexing. He mastered the right formula for confession and then told his flock to go to blazes two times thereafter. That scenario surprised me. I also appreciated her explanation of Oprah mania and just how much her shtick relies on public confession. Overall, this is a strong work.

First off, let me state that I enjoy books that are both entertaining and that make me think. Susan Wise Bauer's The Art of the Public Grovel fulfills my expectations on both counts. Her writing style is succinct yet flowing, while her knowledge of both historical events and religion is impressive. As a casual Catholic, I found what Bauer details of the American evangelical movement and the development of public confession - as compared to the Catholic non-public privacy of the confessional - fascinating. I never realized how important public confession is for most Protestants. Readers with a Protestant background may find equally informative her detailing of the Catholic stance on confession as a private event - and how this difference in perception of confession played a large part in how Catholics like Ted Kennedy and Cardinal Law failed to meet the public demand for a full confession. This book, which covers not only how Kennedy and Law (and others) lost their opportunities to salvage their careers, but how Clinton (the master!) and others (from Grover Cleveland to Jim Swaggart (at first)) succeeded would make a good primer for public figures in how to make the best of a bad situation and, via public confession, save their careers. For the rest of us, it is simply a fascinating book!