The Secret Life of John Paul II

by Lino Zani, Marilù Simoneschi

"I still remember the moment I first saw his open, jovial face, that one-of-a-kind smile, the lively and luminous eyes that seemed that they might be laughing even more.I should have understood already from that smile who he would truly become, what he would represent for me, for us, for everyone, for history." Blessed Pope John Paul II was an avid sportsman, a skilled skier, and a lover of the outdoors. That much is known. But the story of his secret trips to the mountains with a handful of his closest friends remains hidden. No longer.For the first time in English, join Lino Zani, John Paul's ski guide and friend for a behind-the-scenes look at the Pope away from the Vatican. The Secret Life of Pope John Paul II is the story of the Pope as you've never seen him before, at play and prayer in his beloved mountains.

Genres: Religion, Catholic

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a review pdf of this book. Here's the back cover blurb.

Outdoorsman, thinker, skier, hiker, believer Pope.

Blessed Pope John Paul II was known and loved in his public life for his adherence to the True Faith, his accessibility and his deep connection with the peoples of this world. He was also an avid sportsman and a skilled skier and hiker who found refuge, solace and spirituality in the mountain peaks and great outdoors.

Now, translated for the first time into English, this first-hand account by Lino Zani, John Paul II s ski instructor and mountain guide, offers an intimate portrait of the Pope.

Away from the demands and intrigues of the Vatican. A place of quiet respite for the Pope, it was on one of these secluded Alpine trips where he experienced a profound mystical vision of himself as the Fatima Pope.

There is a review embargo until August 15, after which my review will be posted. For now I will say that personally it was nice to be reminded of Pope John Paul II, especially as a vital, vigorous man from the 1980s.

[Jeff Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review at Patheos http://www.patheos.com/blogs/happycat...

[Alex Deakin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is ok. I very much enjoy the perspective from which it is written and how it humanizes a character as celestial as a Pope. Often times we think of this people more as figures and not as people and this book helps with that.

My main apprehensions however are that Zani too often goes into detail about his life, or about another moment and it always feels as though it's distracting from what I came to read. Without a doubt Zani himself is an interesting man, but I came here to read about the secret life of the Pope, not what mountains Zani climbs in his free time.

All in all this is a well intentioned book, and the fact that it's only 200 hundred pages rights the wrongs that I have previously mentioned. There is genuine substance here. Mostly in the parts when they are together in Adamello and in the last few pages of the book. I just wish I'd gotten more of those parts and not a history listen of the sighting of Fatima that was obviously stretched.

There are a great 100 or so pages in this book, sadly they are held back by a so-so hundred pages as well. But if you have the time I'd recommend readings the bits involving the 1-on-1 action between Zani and the Pope because that is something that is indeed special.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non avrei forse letto spontaneamente questo libro, se non mi fosse stato consegnato e consigliato da una collega. Le presentazioni insistono troppo sul rivelare finalmente qualcosa di a lungo tenuto nascosto. È vero, ma insistere molto su questo aspetto mi sa più di gossip che di incontro. Invece sono felice di averlo letto, proprio perché vi ho incontrato un uomo che ricordo perlopiù come malato, tremante, affaticato. Qui invece è pieno di vita, amore per la buona compagnia e la montagna, come luogo in cui l'umanità può raggiungere, sentire, contemplare, l'Altezza e al tempo stesso la Profondità dell'esistenza.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

tu la conosci una montagna? no? allora cercala, trovala. Arriva in cima, un giorno in cui ti sembra di non farcela. Siediti, guarda davanti a te. Aspetta con fiducia e qualcosa succederà. Non chiedere, non pensare, mettiti in ascolto. Di colpo una percezione, capirai

[sillopillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

La semplicità dei grandi.
Libro semplicemente bellissimo. Con la sua forma diretta e scorrevole, raccontato in prima persona da chi ha vissuto direttamente quelle esperienze, riesce a far emergere la componente umana più genuina di tutti i protagonisti indipendentemente dalla loro importanza, dalla figura immensa di Giovanni Paolo II del quale si evidenziano tratti veramente inediti, fino a quella del brigadiere della stazione locale dei carabinieri che si mette sull'attenti quando si rende conto di essere al telefono con Pertini. E’ il classico libro che si legge e si rilegge volentieri scoprendo sempre nuovi dettagli ed emozioni. Consigliatissimo :)

[Jeff Cann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend from work gave it to me and I enjoyed the light reading. It was a unique perspective from someone who had a personal relationship with Pope John Paul II.