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His Holiness
Two of the world's greatest investigative journalists tell the fascinating story of the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures of our time--Pope John Paul II--with the same meticulous reporting skills and narrative excitement that went into All the President's Men, including unprecedented access to rare sources in Rome, Washington, and even once top secret Soviet files in Moscow.
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First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
Carl Bernstein
60 books816 followersCarl Bernstein is an American journalist who, as a reporter for The Washington Post along with Bob Woodward, broke the story of the Watergate break-in and consequently helped bring about the resignation of United States President Richard Nixon. For his role in breaking the scandal, Bernstein received many awards; his work helped earn the Post a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1973.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 24, 2009
Aside from the obvious subject of Pope John Paul II, this book gives a rarely heard account of how the Vatican and JP II helped bring about the downfall of Communism. In this time of rhetoric about hope it is worth reading the true story of how two men's belief in truth and the inherent flaws of Communism and their pointed attacks on those flaws brought about the bloodless fall of one of the worlds most horrific empires.
Unfortunately the media never gave the teamwork of Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II enough public acknowledgement for their major roles in the downfall of the Soviet Union. While every word of our new, untested, President is extolled as bringing untold hope and focus to our current problems it is a good exercise to look at the courage and common sense of one of our past Presidents in the approach to the greatest problem of that era. The author of this book is a respected journalist who helped expose the excesses of the Nixon Administration and bring about his resignation.
Pope John Paul II grew up under the Nazis and the Soviets and had no illusions regarding either. At the same time he never advocated nor partook in violence against either regime while still combatting the effects of both. Upon becoming Pope, John Paul proceeded to reverse the Vatican policy of Otpolitik and working with the Reagan administration, the CIA and the Polish Solidarity movement to actively undermine Soviet Communism. While Reagan is called the Great Communicator, this episode is mostly about morality and moral courage and their importance when facing a problem that was considered only from a military and political approach for decades.
Unfortunately the media never gave the teamwork of Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II enough public acknowledgement for their major roles in the downfall of the Soviet Union. While every word of our new, untested, President is extolled as bringing untold hope and focus to our current problems it is a good exercise to look at the courage and common sense of one of our past Presidents in the approach to the greatest problem of that era. The author of this book is a respected journalist who helped expose the excesses of the Nixon Administration and bring about his resignation.
Pope John Paul II grew up under the Nazis and the Soviets and had no illusions regarding either. At the same time he never advocated nor partook in violence against either regime while still combatting the effects of both. Upon becoming Pope, John Paul proceeded to reverse the Vatican policy of Otpolitik and working with the Reagan administration, the CIA and the Polish Solidarity movement to actively undermine Soviet Communism. While Reagan is called the Great Communicator, this episode is mostly about morality and moral courage and their importance when facing a problem that was considered only from a military and political approach for decades.
November 28, 2021
I first read a condensed version of this book in the Book Section of the October 1996 issue of the Reader's Digest.
March 16, 2012
Well first of all, "(authors)set the standard for modern investigative journalism with his Pulitzer Prize-winning Watergate reporting..." so that doesn't tell you, the reader something to begin? Reading the book, in content and message, has left me unpeaceful. That may take some explaination. Firstly, reading it was like sitting down with that familiar literary demon, to awaken all your personal demons, called doubt (all arguement aside about the presence of Satan); secondly, the literary demon sits on your couch dressed like the average guy, reading glasses, sport coat...after about three days, he is no longer welcome; a very suspicious guest (Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi); why so?
The twist at the end of the story is a transformation of an energetic Pope into somebody unfamiliar...in question..well for example the report, in detail, that a nun did not kiss the pope's ring...what is the papal reaction? in the book it is well explained; the source of this is suspect. The problem with this modern work seems to be two fold, a reporter is said not to ride the horse, he only reports about some else riding it, keeping experience to himself, interviews consequently tell the facts of riding. Non involvement is written between the words; extreme journalism is an editorial; although, the authors may present the facts in chronological order; and 'so sweet irony or ironies,' it's as though the author is reporting someone being eaten by wolves, only jumping in the pen, safely protected by having no sources. The extreme journalism, to go back for a moment, could be thought of as taking in the world view by statistics, what is normal-the rest is accusation, ie, the trend in the church... with the name of God mentioned from time to time; an unpeaceful feeling must struggle inside the reader. (you are forewarned here)..
to conclude, perhaps a better choice of topic would best end a chapter of the book. The last might naturally explain the phrase,'example of contridiction.' Given as to further understand Jesus Christ, always recognized with a twist at the end of His story.
The twist at the end of the story is a transformation of an energetic Pope into somebody unfamiliar...in question..well for example the report, in detail, that a nun did not kiss the pope's ring...what is the papal reaction? in the book it is well explained; the source of this is suspect. The problem with this modern work seems to be two fold, a reporter is said not to ride the horse, he only reports about some else riding it, keeping experience to himself, interviews consequently tell the facts of riding. Non involvement is written between the words; extreme journalism is an editorial; although, the authors may present the facts in chronological order; and 'so sweet irony or ironies,' it's as though the author is reporting someone being eaten by wolves, only jumping in the pen, safely protected by having no sources. The extreme journalism, to go back for a moment, could be thought of as taking in the world view by statistics, what is normal-the rest is accusation, ie, the trend in the church... with the name of God mentioned from time to time; an unpeaceful feeling must struggle inside the reader. (you are forewarned here)..
to conclude, perhaps a better choice of topic would best end a chapter of the book. The last might naturally explain the phrase,'example of contridiction.' Given as to further understand Jesus Christ, always recognized with a twist at the end of His story.
January 18, 2014
I received a lot of insights reading this book about Pope John Paul 11. I discovered about his vocation to be a Carmelite monk but his Bishop did not approve of it and discouraged him from entering the Carmelite Monastery. The Bishop, who saw great potentials in him for Pastoral work told him that he doesn't have to enter a monastery to remain a contemplative. This contemplative spirit that he fostered within himself was probably what brought fruitfulness to his papacy. Prayer and contemplation led him to work for the downfall of communism in Poland and then the neighboring communist countries. He had always maintained that Prayer is the primary weapon to combat evil in this world.
November 23, 2012
A very compelling read that gives a good history of of John Paul II. Its not an all encompassing history and does leave out large portions of his life. However, the areas it does cover, especially his role in the Cold War make this a very worthy book to read. Full of great information interesting to read.
Read
April 14, 2008Great insight into the person that John Paul II was, his tremendous intellect, talents as an actor, and above all a scholar, diplomat, and leader totally dedicated to his role as the Pope even though he would have preferred to remain in the background of the church rather than lead it.
Read
April 3, 2009An audio recording on cassette tape I've been listening to in snatches when I have the free time (and a tape player handy).
June 11, 2009
decent bio, more than a tad to the left, of JPII. starts well, deteriorates. skip the last chapter, comically bad.
August 14, 2010
His impact on citizens of Krakow long before he ever became Pope. Though book chronicles his life.
July 23, 2014
Loved loved this book, written about world history from the involvement of the Holy Father Pope John Paul. Fascinating read. I could not put this historical non-fiction down.
December 20, 2015
Leído hace más de quince años... me pareció una muy buena biografía de Su Santidad Juan Pablo II... bien vale la pena su lectura...
May 2, 2022
Well I found this to be an interesting read for many reasons. I can remember my Polish Granny talking about the Polish Pope and Lech Walesa. But as a kid I never really understood what they meant to her and the people of Poland. I get it now. I wish I could go back and talk to her about it. I may need to go and explore my Polish roots.
So much of this book felt like a movie. It is fascinating.
So much of this book felt like a movie. It is fascinating.
July 12, 2022
Wow! A bio that at times read like a thrilling novel; from the narration to the amazing secret spy memos obtained from the politburos of the Soviet Union and Poland. This book is a first rate biography to understand the modern state of the church and the Papacy of Pope Saint John Paul II.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2018
I love Pope JPII. Read it because it was written by Bernstein. Not bad, kind of dry, but I feel I "know" the pope better.
July 12, 2025
Bio of Pope JPII with emphasis on politics and influence of ending Communism in eastern block
July 14, 2023
The work was excellent in regard to Karol Wojtyla early life and his development into Pope John Paul II. The Pope found joy as a student and an actor, two aspects of his life that would serve him in good stead as Pope. Also well done was the coverage of the Pope's early life in the Church as he navigated the slow climb up the Ecclesial hierarchy and his dealings with the Polish Communist Party. He refused to condemn the Party directly, from the pulpit, knowing full well Poland's powerless situation. Bernstein and Politi don't criticize him for this and point out he dialed back his rhetoric after he became Pope when warned by the Communist.
For most of this work, this was an excellent biography and then of course the attack began. The authors give a glowing report of Karol Wojtyla early life. His devoted and loving parents and how his life seemed intertwined with Poland's history. He was born during the celebration of Poland's victory over the Soviet Union's invasion in 1920. He grew up in a brief interlude during which Poland was a fully independent nation. He then begins his study for the priesthood during the Nazi occupation. Finally, the Polish Communist party approve his appointment as archbishop of Krakow because an apolitical academic wouldn't cause them any problems.
In his formative years, he suffered poverty and the loss of his parents. In high school, he excelled in theater and some remarked that the stage had suffered a loss when he became a priest. He also had "sort of" girlfriends which may have been a factor in his ease with dealing human sexuality (he wrote a sex book as a bishop).
As Pope, he confronted Communism in the Soviet Union as forthrightly as he could. But the authors revealed that he had to pull some punches especially in his beloved Poland in consideration of the secular power he was facing. They chide him about confronting Liberation Theology within the Church, unable to see that Marxist priests were just commissars with collars.
But after the collapse of the Soviet Empire, we get the section that the authors entitled "The Angry Pope." Because the Pope wouldn't accept the Sexual Revolution, Women's Lib, and Gay Rights, he disappointed the authors.
Particularly noxious were two accounts they give of women confronting the Pope. In one, a UN ambassador who was a Moslem, confronts the Pope on his stand on abortion and birth control. According to her, the Pope said some hateful things
during the interview. The authors take her word as "gospel' but there were no other witnesses. Could a committed leftist lie about a man she hates? Not according to Berstein and Poletti.
The other incident was that a Nun who acted deliberately rudely to the Pope when she was chosen to greet him. She didn't wear her habit, addressed him as Sir instead of Your Holiness, and shook his hand instead of kissing his ring. Later she claimed that when called to meeting of priests to address her bad behavior, she instead told them off as they cowered. Wouldn't it been nice to hear their side of this? The authors didn't think so.
So the Pope John Paul II disappoints the author and you know what so will Francis I.
For most of this work, this was an excellent biography and then of course the attack began. The authors give a glowing report of Karol Wojtyla early life. His devoted and loving parents and how his life seemed intertwined with Poland's history. He was born during the celebration of Poland's victory over the Soviet Union's invasion in 1920. He grew up in a brief interlude during which Poland was a fully independent nation. He then begins his study for the priesthood during the Nazi occupation. Finally, the Polish Communist party approve his appointment as archbishop of Krakow because an apolitical academic wouldn't cause them any problems.
In his formative years, he suffered poverty and the loss of his parents. In high school, he excelled in theater and some remarked that the stage had suffered a loss when he became a priest. He also had "sort of" girlfriends which may have been a factor in his ease with dealing human sexuality (he wrote a sex book as a bishop).
As Pope, he confronted Communism in the Soviet Union as forthrightly as he could. But the authors revealed that he had to pull some punches especially in his beloved Poland in consideration of the secular power he was facing. They chide him about confronting Liberation Theology within the Church, unable to see that Marxist priests were just commissars with collars.
But after the collapse of the Soviet Empire, we get the section that the authors entitled "The Angry Pope." Because the Pope wouldn't accept the Sexual Revolution, Women's Lib, and Gay Rights, he disappointed the authors.
Particularly noxious were two accounts they give of women confronting the Pope. In one, a UN ambassador who was a Moslem, confronts the Pope on his stand on abortion and birth control. According to her, the Pope said some hateful things
during the interview. The authors take her word as "gospel' but there were no other witnesses. Could a committed leftist lie about a man she hates? Not according to Berstein and Poletti.
The other incident was that a Nun who acted deliberately rudely to the Pope when she was chosen to greet him. She didn't wear her habit, addressed him as Sir instead of Your Holiness, and shook his hand instead of kissing his ring. Later she claimed that when called to meeting of priests to address her bad behavior, she instead told them off as they cowered. Wouldn't it been nice to hear their side of this? The authors didn't think so.
So the Pope John Paul II disappoints the author and you know what so will Francis I.
Read
October 9, 2015very good
April 19, 2017
Overall I like the book very much. You do need to filter out some author bias from time to time. Especially when Reagan or abortion are discussed.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews