All the Pope's Men : The Inside Story of How the Vatican Really Thinks

by John L. Allen, Jr. | Religion & Spirituality |
ISBN: 0385509669 Global Overview for this book
Registered by livelywriter of Virginia Beach, Virginia USA on 8/13/2004
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5 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by livelywriter from Virginia Beach, Virginia USA on Friday, August 13, 2004
What is the Vatican? The Vatican is where the Pope lives, the Vatican is the seat of the Catholic Church, the capital city of Catholicism -- all plausible answers. But for all the answers one might give or be given, many likely will not answer more than what the Vatican is in a physical sense. To say that the Vatican is where the Pope lives does not specify how the Vatican operates, and what daily functions are performed. The questions, among many others, are answered by John A. Allen, Jr. in his book, All the Pope's Men.

All the Pope's Men is a textbook explanation of the Vatican's functions, a succinct analysis of the city-state which governs the Catholic faith in Christ's stead. Explored in this book are the Vatican's hierarchy, beginning naturally with the Holy Father and his duties as successor to St. Peter, as are minute details ranging from the Vatican's pension plan for lay employees of the city-state, various congregations and councils, the Vatican's communication and media departments, and the Synod of Bishops.

Author Allen also touches upon various topics that have enhanced the Vatican's legacy (and, perhaps, allowed a sinister perception for some) over the centuries -- the secret nature of the Swiss Guard and the always mysterious Vatican finances -- to more contemporary concerns like the Vatican's involvement with recent clerical scandals and views on the war in Iraq.

For the curious non-Catholic, and the Catholic seeking a more enlightenment with regards to the technical aspects of the Catholic Faith, All the Pope's Men serves as a well-thought primer. Note the book should not be read as a work of apologetics or evangelism (as the many varied works of the Church Fathers and saints would serve better that purpose), but as a treatise from a journalist whose experience with the Vatican city-state is evident in the words he writes.

Journal Entry 2 by HallieK from Austin, Texas USA on Thursday, September 2, 2004
This came as a RABCK in the mail yesterday from livelywriter! Thanks so much. I'm looking forward to reading this.

Journal Entry 3 by HallieK from Austin, Texas USA on Tuesday, May 17, 2005
I'm starting up an international book ring for this one. This is the list so far:

1. sqdancer
2. Pyan
3. Rob-B
4. echesketch
5. back to me!

Mailed out 5/21/2005.

Journal Entry 4 by sqdancer on Wednesday, June 8, 2005
Arrived safe and sound. The wrapping paper was torn along one edge, but the book seems to be okay.

It looks quite interesting.


Journal Entry 5 by sqdancer on Saturday, July 9, 2005
Very interesting and very enlightening.

Oops! I thought I had already journaled on this book. I mailed it out on Thursday, July 7, 2005, to Rob-B.

Pyan asked to be skipped as is not doing any rings this year due to too many TBR books and wants to spend time catching up.


Journal Entry 6 by Rob-B on Sunday, July 24, 2005
Arrived a week ago. Next to read.

Journal Entry 7 by Rob-B on Monday, December 19, 2005
Read this last month -- sorry, new job has really cut down reading. Liked it - very interesting. PMing next on list to move along...

Journal Entry 8 by echesketch from Lincolnton, North Carolina USA on Tuesday, February 7, 2006

2/7/06 - Received the book today. This should be a fascinating read!




Journal Entry 9 by echesketch from Lincolnton, North Carolina USA on Saturday, March 11, 2006

The book was finally mailed out today, 3/11/06 via media mail and so it's on its way back to HallieK.

There was so much that I learned from this book and it could be very useful as a source of reference as well.

I wish I could remember details but toward the end of having possession of this bookring, we had a family emergency that resulted in an unhappy ending. I never quite finished the book and my mind is too scattered to even begin to sort it out for preparation of a decent journal entry.

But I do know that I'd like to revisit this book again and sometime in the future I'll probably purchase a copy.

Thank you HallieK for including me in your ring.

Journal Entry 10 by HallieK from Austin, Texas USA on Monday, October 29, 2007
This made it home ages ago and I never journaled it again. I sent it home with my MIL in September this year.

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