Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
An Exorcist Tells His Story
In this powerful book, Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the renowned chief exorcist of Rome, tells of his many experiences in his ministry as an exorcist doing battle with Satan to relieve the great suffering of many people in the grip of evil. The importance of the ministry to "expel demons" is clearly seen in the Gospels, from the actions of the Apostles, and from Church history.
In
...morePaperback, 205 pages
Published
March 1st 1999
by Ignatius Press
(first published January 1st 1997)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
611)
I'm not sure I have much more to say beyond what other reviewers have already said. I was expecting more war stories; the ones the author offers are intriguing, but I was surprised -- pleasantly so -- by two of his take-home points.
First, he established his credibility with me early on by stating very clearly that not all disturbed people have a spiritual problem; for many of them, the issue is strictly psychiatric, and as an exorcist, he cannot help them. In fact, he recommends having a psychia...more
First, he established his credibility with me early on by stating very clearly that not all disturbed people have a spiritual problem; for many of them, the issue is strictly psychiatric, and as an exorcist, he cannot help them. In fact, he recommends having a psychia...more
This book is NOT:
1) a collection of horror stories. If you want such stories, go see The Exorcist or The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Granted, this book presents an assortment of possession stories, but does not go into great gory details. And if present, the stories mainly serve as illustrations for the theological/pastoral descriptions. If you're expecting a freak show, you'll be disappointed;
2) a recollection of an exorcist's day-to-day life. It's not even a recollection of an exorcist's job!;
3) a...more
1) a collection of horror stories. If you want such stories, go see The Exorcist or The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Granted, this book presents an assortment of possession stories, but does not go into great gory details. And if present, the stories mainly serve as illustrations for the theological/pastoral descriptions. If you're expecting a freak show, you'll be disappointed;
2) a recollection of an exorcist's day-to-day life. It's not even a recollection of an exorcist's job!;
3) a...more
I'm not quite sure how to describe this book. It's a religion book written by a catholic priest, but it doesn't have an imprimatur or a nihil obstat. He tells of his personal experiences as an exorcist in Italy, but it is nothing like the movies you may have seen about exorcisms. He recognizes that mental illness can look like possession and vice versa and so he asks medical doctors to assist him frequently. He talks about witchcraft and sorcery which would probably seem even more bizarre to me...more
This i the most frightening book I ever read!!!! Father Gabriel Amorth is still a practising exorcist who is an elderly gentleman and also known as the advocate in Italy. I watched a documentary about this subject where he talks about the existence of evil añd his tireless dedication.
He wrote this book with permission from The Church and those who arè mentioned in the book...I was petrified that the evil is active and is real...this book made sense to me because i am a practising Christian and...more
He wrote this book with permission from The Church and those who arè mentioned in the book...I was petrified that the evil is active and is real...this book made sense to me because i am a practising Christian and...more
view all 4 comments
Der Autor befaßt sich mit einem Thema, daß nicht allzu häufig angegangen wird. Das Buch selbst hat mich jedoch nicht begeistert, es ist dafür zu sehr zwischen den Stühlen: als theologische Abhandlung kann es nicht überzeugen, dafür ist es zu journalistisch geschrieben. Es hat aber auch bloß sehr anekdotischen Charakter und keine echte Story.
Wesentlich besser gelungen ist das großartige Werk von William Peter Blatty, das aufgrund einer wahren Begebenheit einen Exorzismus schildert und eine gelung...more
Wesentlich besser gelungen ist das großartige Werk von William Peter Blatty, das aufgrund einer wahren Begebenheit einen Exorzismus schildert und eine gelung...more
LO MALO
* El formato entrevista
* El estilo literario
* La estructura poco clara, poco ordenada
LO BUENO
* El tema, considerando que es muy importante hablar de algo que a menudo es ignorado (Baudelaire decía que la mayor jugada del diablo había sido hacer creer a los hombres que él no existía).
* Lo fácil que resulta de leer, cómo presenta un tema complejo de forma sencilla y clara, alternando explicación teórica y ejemplos prácticos.
* La idea clara que subyace a lo largo del libro de cómo el demonio...more
* El formato entrevista
* El estilo literario
* La estructura poco clara, poco ordenada
LO BUENO
* El tema, considerando que es muy importante hablar de algo que a menudo es ignorado (Baudelaire decía que la mayor jugada del diablo había sido hacer creer a los hombres que él no existía).
* Lo fácil que resulta de leer, cómo presenta un tema complejo de forma sencilla y clara, alternando explicación teórica y ejemplos prácticos.
* La idea clara que subyace a lo largo del libro de cómo el demonio...more
I found this book to not be what I expected at all. The book discusses the need for excorists to be further recognized and trained within Christianity. I though that I was going to wind up reading a lot of gory details about possessions and instead I found myself reading the well managed thought provoking argument for the training of people wihin the clergy and the laity for exorcisms. The book discusses that the exorcist is a person highly trained to d a specific kind of battle with the powers...more
My wife read this a couple years before I did and it sat on our Catholic Literature bookshelf for a time until I was ready. Her only warning to me when she saw I was reading it was: "I wouldn't read that book before you go to bed."
I am not sure if this book would make you a believer or not. Quite frankly, if you don't believe in demonic possessions then you would just as well avoid it. But you probably would avoid anything Christian based as well. Might as well avoid reading the Bible while yo...more
I am not sure if this book would make you a believer or not. Quite frankly, if you don't believe in demonic possessions then you would just as well avoid it. But you probably would avoid anything Christian based as well. Might as well avoid reading the Bible while yo...more
It is not an organized thought. There are repetitions. But still, it makes an engaging read. Amorth has in fact tried to make the book more organized and thus arranges the chapters into various points. Amorth is upset with Rationalism and Materialism which has driven many bishops, theologians and ordinary people to think against the existence of devil and his influences. Negation of devil means negation of Gospel according to Amorth. It contained very interesting anecdotes, new information, and...more
My nephew Dave recommended this to me and I since have recommended this to a number of people. I read this a number of years ago and it is absolutely fantastic! Yes, I knew the devil was real but somehow he was transformed into this little red suited creature with a pitchfork and horns. This book show the true battle that is occuring between good and evil. It details the experiences of Rome's authority on exercism. Read it, you'll be glad you did.
This subject fascinates me as I don't belong to a major religion, let alone Catholicism. As other reviewers have noted...I was expecting a few more "war stories" but Father Amorth does provide some good basic information to an "outsider" like me. Perhaps his second book goes into more of what I was looking for. He does speak of Father Pellegrino Ernetti several times who is a person of interest to me...
This book taught me the power of the sacraments. My eyes were also opened to the evil that is in the world and the importance of keeping your soul united with Christ. My love for Saint Michael the Archangel started when reading this book. Father Amorth does a great job of showing how Christ is far more powerful than any evil but at the same time that evil is real and not to be taken lightly.
May 08, 2013
Samantha Sabovitch
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
research-for-new-novel,
own-a-hard-copy
This book fascinated me.
It's a tradesman's book--a discussion of the nuts and bolts, of the challenges, and of the community. It could be about plumbing or IT development, but it's instead about exorcisms.
If you don't believe in demonic activity, you'll have a hard time with this book. You'll have to conclude that Gabriele Amorth is outright lying about the things he's seen and the work he's done.
Me, I believe him.
It's a tradesman's book--a discussion of the nuts and bolts, of the challenges, and of the community. It could be about plumbing or IT development, but it's instead about exorcisms.
If you don't believe in demonic activity, you'll have a hard time with this book. You'll have to conclude that Gabriele Amorth is outright lying about the things he's seen and the work he's done.
Me, I believe him.
This was an interesting book, but was not exactly what I expected. I assumed the book was going to show the day to day experiences of an exorcist, but instead went more into the theology of demons and possession. While I enjoyed the book, I would have liked to see more examples of possession and exorcism. I will pass on his follow-up book.
The most interesting section was the Pastoral Directives, much of the rest was anecdote and poor reasoning. Still, I'm tempted to give it one star more than Hostage to the Devil just because it wasn't sensationalistic. Maybe I'll just give Hostage one star less. I don't know why I keep reading this stuff.
Great book for Catholics. Provides insight into real exorcism and is true evidence of the works of the devil. It also provides direction on ways to live your life to stay free from the devil and his works. Once I started reading it, it kept my attention and couldn't put it down.
Saya membeli buku ini karena rasa ingin tahu saya tentang praktek Eksorsisme dalam agama Khatolik.
Buku ini menjelaskannya dari sudut pandang seorang Pastur Khatolik di Vatikan yang diberikan tanggung jawab khusus dalam menjalani upacara ini bagi orang-orang yang membutuhkan.
Pada awal bab, buku ini memberikan penjelasan awal tentang Iblis dan setan yang jauh dari dugaan banyak orang awam tentang keberadaan mereka.
Dan karena ulasan ini datang dari seorang Pastur di Vatikan, saya tidak ada pilihan...more
Buku ini menjelaskannya dari sudut pandang seorang Pastur Khatolik di Vatikan yang diberikan tanggung jawab khusus dalam menjalani upacara ini bagi orang-orang yang membutuhkan.
Pada awal bab, buku ini memberikan penjelasan awal tentang Iblis dan setan yang jauh dari dugaan banyak orang awam tentang keberadaan mereka.
Dan karena ulasan ini datang dari seorang Pastur di Vatikan, saya tidak ada pilihan...more
It was difficult to put this book down. Was it the most horrifying with stories of the possessed? No. And it certainly wasn't meant to be. This is a book by the current chief exorcist of Rome, Father Gabriele Amorth. I am so thankful that in a time when we need it most someone had enough faith and determination to write a book detailing the Rite as well as the theology behind it and what it does. This is a highly valuable book to those who don't want to ignore what exists.
Very disturbing subject, very creepy book, but a very interesting read. It took me longer to finish than normal because I couldn't read it at night - and books don't typically spook me easily.
Excellent book written by Rome's most prominent exorcist. Definitely opens the reader's eyes to the fact that exorcism is a practice in the Church which is losing credibility, and it's a problem.
Really a good book. It is hard not to take this guy seriously, although some of the attention given to the Blessed Virgin seems to my protestant ears a little over the top...
This is a book which I highly recommend for those who don't believe in Evil. The book is quite good, but I expected much more examples of possessions.. would be more interesting than..
A book based on the interview with vatican exorcist Gabrielle Amorth. He tells about his experience dealing with demons and obsessions. Nice short book.
An amazing look on the little known Church teaching on exorcism and Satan, and an inside look to what goes into this mysterious ritual.
Amazing book! Very informative. Written by the head exorcist of Rome. Honest holy look, with out the Hollywood.
This collection of writings is very informative and has allowed me to better understand how there is still so much in the world (and out of it) which the human mind cannot completely comprehend.
All in all, this book is not a collection of horror stories, but is very insightful and is a lucidly-written account of of Fr. Amorth's experiences as an exorcist. He does not romanticize these experiences, but helps readers understand why such things happen. With clear thinking and rational explanation,...more
All in all, this book is not a collection of horror stories, but is very insightful and is a lucidly-written account of of Fr. Amorth's experiences as an exorcist. He does not romanticize these experiences, but helps readers understand why such things happen. With clear thinking and rational explanation,...more
I think because the priest who wrote this book is Italian, something was lost during translation. However, it was interesting to read his perpective on exocisms.
Interesting read - but mainly aimed at the priestly audience. Amorth explains how Exorcists get the cold shoulder from other members of clergy and how he would like this to change plus how he would like there to be more exorcist appointments to be made (and for bishops to learn the Rites, as well).
There wasn't much about exorcising but that is to be expected as it is something only ordained priests with their bishop's or the Pope's blessing should be able to perform. I did find the account of a...more
There wasn't much about exorcising but that is to be expected as it is something only ordained priests with their bishop's or the Pope's blessing should be able to perform. I did find the account of a...more
Very easy to get sucked into this book and will leave you wanting to know more.
Well written. I listened to an audio version several years ago.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Readers: A Discussion on Satan | 1 | 11 | Sep 04, 2012 09:10am | |
| What is the your opinion of Satan after reading this book? | 1 | 7 | Sep 02, 2012 01:56pm |
Italian Roman Catholic priest and the senior exorcist of the Diocese of Rome.
Amorth authored two books specifically on exorcism. The publications marked a defining moment in literary history, being the first public documents to treat this subject.
The two books An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist: More Stories are not official Roman Catholic documents, rather personal accounts of his offic...more
More about Gabriele Amorth...
Amorth authored two books specifically on exorcism. The publications marked a defining moment in literary history, being the first public documents to treat this subject.
The two books An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist: More Stories are not official Roman Catholic documents, rather personal accounts of his offic...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
