Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II

To write a biography of John Paul II, George Weigel leaves with advantage. He is a Professor of Ethics as the subject, and well known for his articles about religion and public life. Weigel also understands and professes the Catholic faith. If we add his privileged access to very close collaborators to the Pontiff and several hours of encounters with the Pope himself, the result should overcome any precedent biographies. We are before a work of remarkable dimensions, with two very clear parts: before and after the Cardinal's Wojtyla election like as Pontiff. Weigel has spoken with many direct witnesses of the polish times of the Pope's life, which gives this section of the work the freshness and novelty than the pontificate years of his work back. He gives the impression that these years are dominated by the documents, the speeches and the points of view, while he losses the essence of the inher character .

Weigel's biography of Pope John Paul II is a must read for anyone wanting to gain insight about the current "culture wars" that are raging in the Western world. What makes this book so outstanding is the author's lack of embarassment in presenting his subject from a spiritual and Catholic viewpoint. Unlike the secular media, who have already decided that truth is limited to the material world, Weigel examines the life of John Paul II in an integrated way, showing how the exterior life of the pontiff is motivated by his deep, interior spirituality. Prior to this book, the world knew the Pope as either a "conservative" or a "liberal" depending on what issue was being debated. Now the world knows the Pope as a renowed philosopher and theologian with something to say to all of us.

This is a comprehensive biography of Pope John Paul II, based on extensive interviews and a thorough study of writings by the Pope covering more than 50 years. Despite the size of the book, it is very readable. The author places emphasis on the significance of John Paul's contributions to philosophy, theology, evangelism, and the Catholic Church over the long run. Hence the book is more than journalism, a common fault of most treatments of the life of this Pope. While the author has made a strong case elsewhere (in the magazine First Things) for Pope John Paul II as the most important person of the 20th century, this book leaves one with the clear impression that of all the leaders of the 20th century, John Paul is the most likely to have the greatest influence on the course of the 21st century. I cannot think of a better book to read as the new millenium approaches.

For this Presbyterian, George Weigel's book about Pope John Paul II was a revelation not only about a remarkable figure in history, but also about Catholic thought and practice. Weigel has written far more than a conventional biography. "Witness to Hope" is also a sweeping history of John Paul's times and his papacy, a trenchant observer's comments on politics in the '70s and '80s, and a sharp-minded theologian's explication of John Paul's voluminous writings. A couple of critics have sniped that Weigel's book lacks "incisive criticisms" of John Paul. In fact, Weigel does speak critically at many points; he simply does so with such civility and respect that bloodthirsty adversaries of the Pope and his church are likely to be disappointed. Far more valuable is Weigel's fidelity to a principle that he states at the outset: that John Paul's life and papacy can only be understood "from the inside." Weigel's vantage point is as "inside" as any author is likely to get; footnote after footnote reveals that information provided by Weigel comes directly from conversation with John Paul II. Weigel's own credentials as a religious thinker and writer, his access to the Pope and to senior officials of the Holy See, the dramatic life of his subject--- all these make the nearly 900 pages of this immense book richly rewarding for the serious reader. Consistently throughout "Witness to Hope," George Weigel paints a fervently evangelical and intellectual Pope who presents Christianity as demanding, but exciting and fulfilling. One might say the same about George Weigel's book: it makes greater demands upon the reader than would a more superficial, sentimental biography--- but it richly rewards the reader with its account of an important life.

This author did not waste his time and was not lazy in writing about this Pope of Hope. If you are a Roman Catholic you will enjoy the insight and may cringe about the foresight of what is revealed. If you are Jewish you will see the opportunity that is available now in coming to grips with reconciliation based on truth of history known only to sons and daughters of Abraham. The book is easy to read, follows in details and reveals as much as one can know about this man of honor, spiritual healing and forgiveness to those who hate him, tried to kill him and disdain his faith. Communists will see just how puny their ideas and philosophy are compared to what motivates and guides this man of God. In the end, like all good biographies you will learn more than you came to know about a simple but powerful example of a man called John Paul II. Excellent superb excellence.