A Life with Karol: My Forty-Year Friendship with the Man Who Became Pope
This intimate, affectionate portrait of Pope John Paul II by his long-time secretary and confidant reveals fascinating new details about the opinions, hopes, fears, and dramatic life of this public man.Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz worked side-by-side with Pope John Paul II for almost forty years, enjoying unique access to both the public and private man. In A Life with Karol, he provides a close-up glimpse into the pope's life and the critical events of his papacy. Dziwisz was sitting next to...
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This intimate, affectionate portrait of Pope John Paul II by his long-time secretary and confidant reveals fascinating new details about the opinions, hopes, fears, and dramatic life of this public man. Publishers Weekly Pope John Paul II's personal secretary, who is now Cardinal Dziwisz, had an insider's view of many of the events that shaped John Paul II's pontificate. Dziwisz was a seminary student in Krakow when he first encountered the man then known as Karol Wojtyla. He later became a close and trusted ally of the pope for four decades. The author does not hide his glowing opinion of the deceased pontiff; as he describes it, John Paul II stood courageously against the oppressive Communist regime in his native Poland, supported the nascent Solidarity movement and was beloved by people of all nations and religions around the globe. These two men enjoyed an intimate friendship and shared a love for Catholicism and their priesthood. Perhaps it is the closeness of that friendship that prevents Dziwisz from criticizing John Paul II for anything he did as pope. For example, his claim that "John Paul II's entire pontificate was a continual implementation of Vatican II" is widely debated. Despite the hagiographical tone, one thing is clear-John Paul II was a formidable world figure in the latter half of the 20th century, and he never allowed his position to affect his ability to be a good friend. (Mar. 11)Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Foreword: Farewell to a Beloved Face ixNarrator's Preface: The "Mystery" of John Paul II xiThe Polish YearsThe First Meeting 3New Men 9Turning Point: Vatican II 15The Millennium Crisis 21Wyszynski and Wojtyla 27The Cross of Nowa Huta 33"How Could I Fail to Speak Out?" 39Dissent Explodes 45Rebel Youth 50"A Slav Will Be Pope" 56The Papal Years"Open the Doors to Christ" 69A Journey to Anticlerical Mexico 74A Typical Day in the Life of a Pope 80A Sign of Change 90Peter the Traveler 97Rome's Own Bishop 108Earthquake in the Empire 114A Revolution of the People 122Two Pistol Shots 130But Who Armed the Killer? 137A Whole Nation Behind Bars 143Solidarity Lives! 150A New Evangelization 157Youth, Women, and the Ecclesial Movements 163"God's Sister" Teresa 173And the Wall Came Tumbling Down 179No to Communism, Not Yes to Capitalism 187The Global South 193A New Adversary 200The Spirit of Assisi 206The New Martyrs 214It Took Six Hands 223John Paul II's Jewish Roots 231Thou Shalt Not Kill in the Name of God 238"Let Me Go Home to the Lord" 248
\ From Barnes & NobleOn May 13, 1981, when Paul John Paul II was shot and nearly killed, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz was sitting beside him. Cardinal Dziwisz was also with the pontiff as the events of September 11, 2001, unfolded before their eyes. Indeed, he and the former Karol Józef Wojtyla had a long history of friendship, stretching back almost 40 years. In A Life with Karol, the faithful private secretary of John Paul writes candidly about a beloved personal friend and revered pope who left a deep imprint on the church and on the world. A unique, touching firsthand account of the first Polish pope.\ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyPope John Paul II's personal secretary, who is now Cardinal Dziwisz, had an insider's view of many of the events that shaped John Paul II's pontificate. Dziwisz was a seminary student in Krakow when he first encountered the man then known as Karol Wojtyla. He later became a close and trusted ally of the pope for four decades. The author does not hide his glowing opinion of the deceased pontiff; as he describes it, John Paul II stood courageously against the oppressive Communist regime in his native Poland, supported the nascent Solidarity movement and was beloved by people of all nations and religions around the globe. These two men enjoyed an intimate friendship and shared a love for Catholicism and their priesthood. Perhaps it is the closeness of that friendship that prevents Dziwisz from criticizing John Paul II for anything he did as pope. For example, his claim that "John Paul II's entire pontificate was a continual implementation of Vatican II" is widely debated. Despite the hagiographical tone, one thing is clear-John Paul II was a formidable world figure in the latter half of the 20th century, and he never allowed his position to affect his ability to be a good friend. (Mar. 11)\ Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information\ \ \ Library JournalAs secretary for 40 years to Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II), Cardinal Dziwisz was privy to many of his thoughts and actions. This memorable account colorfully describes thoughts and stories that offer a firsthand glimpse into the pope's life and his papacy. While it is not a substitute for Wojtyla's own writings, its richly artistic canvas offers a context that makes it easier to appreciate biographies such as Witness to Hopeor comprehensive summaries like John Paul II For Dummies. Rich in emotional and psychological detail, this book well covers the Polish and the papal years. Not concerned with critics of his life or thought, Wojtyla is portrayed as a man with depth, sincerity, and a sense of mystery. Recommended for public libraries of all sizes; libraries with a limited budget and seeking to add two or three central works that convey a timeless sense of the man would do well to add this title.\ —Leroy Hommerding\ \ \ \ \ \ From the Publisher"Memorable.... Richly artistic." —-Library Journal\ \
