Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi, the dean of Vatican journalists, tell the amazing story of Pope John Paul II. At once compelling journalism, drama, history, and biography, His Holiness reveals how John Paul II has used his global pulpit to make headway in the world political arena. of photos.

Pope John Paul II was 100% sold-out to God, mystical. The book treats him with reverence in some passages and scorn in others for not "modernizing the Gospel" to fit sexuality, abortion, etc. Presents the Popes as the sole defeater of Communism and very authoritarian in the Church. ( )

2957 His Holiness John Paul II and the Hidden History of Our Time, by Carl Bernstein and Marco Polito (read 16 Feb 1997) 90% of this book is a joy to read, and tells the dramatic story of the Pope and the fall of Communism. But there is a part toward the end which gives the impression the Pope is losing his touch--and he could well be. The Pope's positions are right, but an over-authoritarian position may be such as to smooth the path to error, and so is to be regretted. ( )

Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi, investigative journalist, argue that Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan conspired to hasten the collapse of Soviet Communism. Some of the evidence they cite includes the CIA's support of the Polish Solidarity Movement and the sharing of American military intelligence with the Pope.

There is a brief history of Pope John Paul II's life and his ascendancy to the Seat of Peter. The coverage of the Pope's early life up until his ascension to the throne was very interesting and pretty well done. And we get a brief look inside of the Vatican's political apparatus. Even though I felt that there appears to be an anti-Catholic agenda in the later half of the book, it is worth reading. John Paul II was a gift to the world in our lifetime whose main message was that we could be better than we are. The author seems to forget that the Pope is Catholic first and last. He always did take the highest Catholic stance on matters of faith and morals as would be expected of a pontiff. I found this an interesting and fast read. ( )

Pope John Paul II was 100% sold-out to God, mystical. The book treats him with reverence in some passages and scorn in others for not "modernizing the Gospel" to fit sexuality, abortion, etc. Presents the Popes as the sole defeater of Communism and very authoritarian in the Church. ( )