POPE JOHN PAUL II: A Pope for the People

This unusual book combines two unlikely genres—the topical scholarly anthology and the glossy photography book—into a successful and oddly erudite coffee table opus about the life and contributions of Pope John Paul II. Five authors present essays in their areas of specialization: Fischer offers an entertaining biographical study of the man born as Karol Wojtyla; Stehle examines the pope's legacy of anti-Communism and savvy understanding of international diplomacy; Hertzberg analyzes his relationships with Jews, especially during the crucial World War II years; Accattoli lauds his soul-searching humility in issuing more than 100 "mea culpa" statements throughout his papacy; and Politi explores his efforts to preserve the Church's exalted position in a rapidly changing Europe. The book is enhanced by 139 photographs, 111 of them in color and many of them large two-page spreads. We see grand, vivid scenes of papal visits to India and Cuba and mass celebrations in St. Peter's Square. These imposing images exist side-by-side with more intimate portraits of the pontiff at worship: kneeling at the grotto in Lourdes, France, for example, or paying his respects at a memorial in Auschwitz. The opening pages include historic photos of the pope as a boy and seminarian, while the final pages offer images from the 2003 jubilee celebration. (May)