Book Reviews

I know we all try to do as much reading as possible, and many of us are always sharing our latest find in books. If you've read a great book recently that you would like to share with others, please provide a review and mail it to John Kennington and I will post it on this page.

To start us out, here are some reviews from another Cursillo site.

To provide more information on these books, clicking on title will open a page at Amazon.com (or an alternate site if not found at Amazon.) I would encourage you to check our local Catholic book shops to purchase them.

How to Change Your Husband - Owner's Manual for the Family
by a Friend of Medjugorje

excerpt:
Within the unit of the family, the children's lives revolve around the parents, and to break it down further toward the core, the center is the husband and wife's relationship; i.e. the relationship to each other, their treatment of each other, with the husband guiding and the wife following. He is the center; he protecting; she nurturing; he fathering; she mothering--on and on. If based on God's precepts and love, this relationship contains every lesson, every teaching, their children will need to be whole and to make up society. Society's cure lies within the spirit of the husband and wife toward each other. It is why Satan wants with all his might to destroy the sacramental union

Recommended by Sharon Kennington:
This book uses the monthly messages from Mary at Medjugorje to demonstrate what is wrong with society and families. The title is deceptive - this is not a feminist book. The author's premise is that to change your husband, the wife must change first, placing the husband at the head of the family. Only then can the family function as God intends, bringing true happiness and peace in the household.

The Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist
and
Healing the Father Relationship
and
Coming to Life - Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit
by Fr. Robert DeGrandis, S.S.J.

Recommended by Sharon Kennington

Catholicism And Fundamentalism - The Attack On "Romanism" by "Bible Christians"
by Karl Keating

The author defends Catholicism from fundamentalist attacks and explains why fundamentalism has been so successful in converting "Romanists". He examines anti-Catholic groups and presents their arguments in their own world, offering rebuttals that are clear, detailed and charitable.
Recommended by Sharon Kennington

Surprised By Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic
and
Surprised By Truth 2: 15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons For Becoming Catholic2
by Patrick Madrid, 1994 and 2000

Recommended by Steve Krause
I highly recommend these for Evangelization.

Introduction to the Devout Life
St. Francis De Sales, John Ryan, 1972, 320 pages

A spiritual masterpiece for all Christians, Introduction to the Devout Life is rich with spiritual reflections and exercises. It mandates a slow, reflective read. The book focuses the reader on their past and present life rallying them to purge themselves of past sin and affection for present sins. St. Francis recommends spiritual exercises to avoid future spiritual decline, and unites the reader's future devotion with God. Introduction to the Devout Life is a "life" changer.

Pilgrim's Regress
C.S. Lewis, 1998, 277 pages

The first book written by C.S. Lewis after his conversion, The Pilgrim's Regress is the record of Lewis's own search for meaning and spiritual satisfaction, a search that eventually led him to Christianity. This brilliant, Bunyanesque allegory tells a fascinating story and constitutes an effective Christian apologia.

Mere Chrisitianity
C.S. Lewis, 1997

Mr Lewis tells, in a very easy to understand way, why Christianity makes perfect sense. This book has caused my faith in Jesus Christ to grow. I know that I am a better man for reading it. I chose this book as a subject for my Philosophy final report. I now can say that in no small part, because of Mr Lewis's work, I have philosophy I can call my own. A must read for anyone searching for the deeper purpose in life.

Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis, 1998, 128 pages

As the senior devil advises his young apprentice in leading humanity astray, Lewis delves into question about good and evil, temptation, repentance, and grace, offering knowledge and guidance to all who are trying to live good Christian lives.

Show Me God
Fred Heeren, 1997, 397 pages.

Stephen Hawking, NASA leaders, and Nobel prize-winning astronomers talk about how their discoveries have affected life's big questions. Topics include the creation and fine-tuning of the universe, the purpose of life, and the nature of God. Author Fred Heeren tells why even Einstein had to revise his thinking to bring it in line with the Bible's claims. You'll learn why many leading scientists today are bringing God into the equation.

Did Adam and Eve Have Bellybuttons?...And 199 other questions from Catholic Teenagers
Matthew Pinto, 1998, 270 pages

Teenagers ask tough questions, and then they want short answers. Matt Pinto, not so long out of his own teenage years, delivers. This is the book I recommend be put in the hands of any teen who wants to know in brief terms what the Catholic Church is, why it believes what it believes and why it does what it does, and what difference it all makes to folks like you and me. I recommend the book strongly, and suggest it as an excellent gift idea for parents, grandparents, and Confirmation sponsors.