{"title":"John L Allen Jr","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the insightful world of Graham Turner, a master of narrative non-fiction and investigative journalism. From in-depth travelogues to sharp social commentary, discover compelling reads that inform and engage.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"opus-dei-book-john-l-allen-jr-9780385514491","title":"Opus Dei","description":"The first serious journalistic investigation of the highly secretive, controversial organization Opus Dei provides unique insight about the wild rumors surrounding it and discloses its significant influence in the Vatican and on the politics of the Catholic Church. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOpus Dei (literally the work of God) is an international association of Catholics often labeled as conservative who seek personal Christian perfection and strive to implement Christian ideals in their jobs and in society as a whole. Founded in Spain in 1928, it now has 84,000 members (1,600 of whom are priests) in eighty countries. But far from running bingo nights at local parishes, Opus Dei has become a center of controversy and suspicion both within and outside the Church. It has been accused of promoting a right-wing political agenda and of cultlike practices, aggressive recruiting, brainwashing new recruits, and isolating members from their families. Its notoriety escalated with the publication of the runaway bestseller \u003ci\u003eThe Da Vinci Code\u003c\/i\u003e (Opus Dei plays an important and sinister role in the novel) and with the previous pope's much-debated canonization of its founder (often linked with Francisco Franco's facist regime) and the discovery that convicted FBI spy Robert Hanson was a member of Opus Dei. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith the expert eye of a longtime trusted observer of the Vatican and the skill of an investigative reporter intent on uncovering closely guarded secrets, John Allen finally separates the myths from the facts in \u003ci\u003eOpus Dei\u003c\/i\u003e. Granted unlimited access to the prelate who heads the organization and to Opus Dei centers throughout the world, Allen draws on a wealth of interviews with current members, as well as with highly critical ex-members, to create an unprecedented portrait of the activities, practices, and intentions behind its veil of secrecy. Allen reveals the remarkable power that Opus Dei commands in shaping Vatican policy and presents a detailed look at the full extent of its network, which includes people in key positions in politics, banking, academia, and other influential arenas. He even describes the arcane rituals--including self-flagellation--performed to preserve and promote a spiritual tradition strange and unsettling to modern sensibilities. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFor years, Opus Dei has been the subject of conspiracy theories and dark, uninformed speculation. \u003ci\u003eOpus Dei \u003c\/i\u003esets the record straight.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49561288933649,"sku":"GOR004153593","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49578472243473,"sku":"GOR013615582","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50468609687825,"sku":"CIN0385514492G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50507859460369,"sku":"CIN0385514492VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ WELL_READ \/ SBYB","offer_id":50761966125329,"sku":"CIN0385514492A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ LIKE_NEW \/ SBYB","offer_id":53498052968721,"sku":"CIN0385514492LN","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0385514492.jpg?v=1751038594"},{"product_id":"cardinal-ratzinger-book-john-l-allen-jr-9780826413611","title":"Cardinal Ratzinger","description":"On Tuesday 19th April 2005: white smoke signals the election of a new Pontiff, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. Reprint of Cardinal Ratzinger with a New Preface, revised title and jacket. The elevation of Joseph Ratzinger to the Papacy has raised more questions than it answers about what the future holds for the world's one billion Roman Catholics. Seasoned Vatican watcher, John L. Allen Jr is ideally placed to answer these questions tracing Ratzinger's story from his Bavarian routes (including a spell in the Hitler Youth movement), his support for Vatican 11, and the unique relationship he shared with John Paul 11 whilst number two in the Catholic Church. Whilst a Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger never failed to polarise opinions, attracting adoration and opprobrium in equal measure He is certain to continue to do so whilst Pope. This book needs to be read by Catholic and non-Catholics alike to understand the mind of a man who now has one of the most powerful roles on earth.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49563611595025,"sku":"GOR001616650","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49643723751697,"sku":"GOR001226441","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50369025212689,"sku":"CIN0826413617G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50963678069009,"sku":"CIN0826413617VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52332930990353,"sku":"NLS9780826413611","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0826413617.jpg?v=1750786830"},{"product_id":"francis-miracle-book-john-l-allen-jr-9781683307501","title":"Francis Miracle","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49565265101073,"sku":"CIN168330750XG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":50296862572817,"sku":"CIN168330750XVG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/168330750X.jpg?v=1750896768"},{"product_id":"rise-of-benedict-xvi-book-john-l-allen-jr-9780385513203","title":"The Rise of Benedict XVI","description":"Commendable and balanced . . . With crisp writing and an amazing attention to detail, Allen brings readers inside the papal jockeying, covering the days of mourning and the conclave. --\u003ci\u003eThe Los Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA welcome contribution to understanding the new pontificate . . . \u003ci\u003eThe Rise of Benedict XVI \u003c\/i\u003eis a useful chronicle that packs a lot into relatively few pages. \u003cbr\u003e--Richard John Neuhaus, \u003ci\u003e First Things\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor a current look at the new papacy, Allen is the person to read. He is fair, free from the oracular pomposity of some American commentators, and, as always, highly readable. --\u003ci\u003eCommonweal\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Rise of Benedict XVI\u003c\/i\u003e . . . covers the subject thoroughly and thoughtfully. In smooth, readable prose devoid of polemics, he outlines competing expectations and explains the strengths and weaknesses of each. --\u003ci\u003eSan Antonio Express-News\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A worthwhile contribution to understanding why Rome has its first German pope in 800 years. --\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOn April 18, 2005, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gathered to elect a successor to Pope John Paul I. Faced with several potential candidates, the cardinals made a bold choice, entrusting the Keys of the Kingdom to 78-year-old Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a man whose views on the challenges facing the Church and the broader culture could not be more unambiguous, or controversial. Questions arose as the world watched while Ratzinger was installed as Pope Benedict XVI. No one can tell the story of exactly what took place during the closed doors meeting, known as the conclave, when Cardinals from around the world cast their votes for the next pope, better than John L. 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In every diocese in America you can find parishes that are flourishing.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The faith represented there is not an exaggerated religious frenzy that feeds an uncritical view of the Church. Catholics are nothing if not sober realists about the humanity of their institutions and leaders. They see the Church not as a debating society or a multinational enterprise, but a family-with all the flaws and dysfunction, but also all the joy and life, of families everywhere. This is why Archbishop Dolan is such an important part of the Church's emerging landscape.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e In \u003ci\u003eA People of Hope\u003c\/i\u003e Dolan is seen at his best, capturing an upbeat, hopeful, affirming Catholicism that's the untold story about the Church today. As readers spend time with Dolan here, they may find that his love for people and zest for friendship is what's truly fundamental about the man, not a PR device calculated to conceal some other agenda. Dolan can and does draw lines in the sand when he believes that core matters of Catholic identity are at stake. He's well aware that we live in a deeply secular world in the West, in which powerful pressures, both subtle and overt, seek to blur the counter-cultural message of Catholicism on many fronts. One key to Dolan's character, however, is that changing hearts, not knocking heads, is always his first instinct.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e John Allen draws out a picture of future trends by exploring where Dolan wants to lead, and how will a Church that increasingly bears his imprint look and feel? To understand this, what's really necessary is to get inside his head and then let him speak for himself. To that end Allen frames questions in a way that allows Dolan to expand on the topic himself as much as possible. The result is a book more \"with\" Dolan than a book \"about\" him, which is indeed the best way to understand the man. 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According to the secular International Society for Human Rights, 80 percent of violations of religious freedom in the world today are directed against Christians. In effect, our era is witnessing the rise of a new generation of martyrs. Underlying the global war on Christians is the demographic reality that more than two-thirds of the world's 2.3 billion Christians now live outside the West, often as a beleaguered minority up against a hostile majority-- whether it's Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia, Hindu radicalism in India, or state-imposed atheism in China and North Korea. In Europe and North America, Christians face political and legal challenges to religious freedom. 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A teenage American POW as the Third Reich crumbled and a progressive wunderkind at the Second Vatican Council, Ratzinger, for twenty years, has been head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (until 1908 known as the Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, or Holy Office). The book goes a long way toward explaining the central enigma surrounding Ratzinger: How did this erstwhile liberal end up as the chief architect of the third great wave of repression in Catholic theology in the twentieth century? Based on extensive interviews with Ratzinger's students and colleagues, as well as research in archives in both Bavaria and the United States, Allen's account shows that Ratzinger's deep suspicion of the world, his preoccupation with human sinfulness, and his demand for rock-solid loyalty to the church run deep. 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What the church needs today as always are not adulators to extol the status quo, but men whose humility and obedience are not less than their passion for the truth; . . .men who love the church more than the ease and the unruffled course of their personal destiny.-Joseph Ratzinger (1962)","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":49852161884433,"sku":"CIN0826417876G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0826417876.jpg?v=1750703389"},{"product_id":"future-church-book-john-l-allen-jr-9780385520393","title":"The Future Church","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eOne of the world's foremost religion journalists offers an unexpected and provocative look at where the Catholic Church is headed\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e--\u003cb\u003eand what the changes will mean for all of us.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat will the Catholic Church be like in 100 years? 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With crisp writing and an amazing attention to detail, Allen brings readers inside the papal jockeying, covering the days of mourning and the conclave. --\u003ci\u003eThe Los Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA welcome contribution to understanding the new pontificate . . . \u003ci\u003eThe Rise of Benedict XVI \u003c\/i\u003eis a useful chronicle that packs a lot into relatively few pages. \u003cbr\u003e--Richard John Neuhaus, \u003ci\u003e First Things\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor a current look at the new papacy, Allen is the person to read. He is fair, free from the oracular pomposity of some American commentators, and, as always, highly readable. --\u003ci\u003eCommonweal\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Rise of Benedict XVI\u003c\/i\u003e . . . covers the subject thoroughly and thoughtfully. In smooth, readable prose devoid of polemics, he outlines competing expectations and explains the strengths and weaknesses of each. --\u003ci\u003eSan Antonio Express-News\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A worthwhile contribution to understanding why Rome has its first German pope in 800 years. --\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOn April 18, 2005, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church gathered to elect a successor to Pope John Paul I. Faced with several potential candidates, the cardinals made a bold choice, entrusting the Keys of the Kingdom to 78-year-old Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a man whose views on the challenges facing the Church and the broader culture could not be more unambiguous, or controversial. Questions arose as the world watched while Ratzinger was installed as Pope Benedict XVI. No one can tell the story of exactly what took place during the closed doors meeting, known as the conclave, when Cardinals from around the world cast their votes for the next pope, better than John L. 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