In this remarkable tour of the Catholic world, George Weigel helps us understand how Catholicism fosters what Flannery O'Connor called "the habit o...
read full description
reviews
Jan 07, 2011
Conor
rated it: 
I purchased this book a week and a half ago and finished it in a few days. Simply put: it is incredible. I warmly recommend it and think it an absolute must have for your library. With his typical verve and style, Weigel introduces the reader to the optic that is Catholicism--he shows you what it is to look at the world with Catholic lenses. And what a beautiful picture it is. Readers of Weigel will notice similar themes to other of Weigel's writings especially "Witness to Hope" and "
More...
Mar 11, 2009
Sylv
rated it: 
I have taken many quotes from this book. It provided a refreshing insight into different views of catholocism by taking a journey to some different places...often not as well known catholic places although some were very well know...such as the sistine chapel. I loved the way George Weigel worded things...very easy to read and understand.
Mar 18, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
This book is a spiritual travelogue meant to give young Catholic Christians and other "curious souls" a taste of what it means to practice the Roman Catholic faith in the twenty-first century. Weigel discusses the sacramental imagination, the "grittiness" of the faith, Mary and discipleship, and the importance of beauty. He addresses more contentious topics without becoming polemical or allowing the book to be consumed by them; all the same, it's clear that he's a traditiona
More...
Feb 07, 2012
Cocopebbles
rated it:
I really really loved this book. When I first bought it, I honestly thought it would be "cute" and full of trite, but heart-warming anecdotes, but BOY was I wrong. George Weigel is insanely smart, well-read, well-traveled, and can write one powerful, thought-provoking sentence one after another.
This is a must read for all Catholics, arm-chair philosophers, and anyone who enjoys having to work for their food (i.e. looking up a few words on dictionary.com, but being all the More...
This is a must read for all Catholics, arm-chair philosophers, and anyone who enjoys having to work for their food (i.e. looking up a few words on dictionary.com, but being all the More...
Jun 20, 2011
Lisa
rated it: 
Read this a while ago, and it was only alright for me then. I wonder how I would feel if I picked up again now...
Oct 09, 2008
Steve
rated it:
A great book. This book reminds us that being Catholic is not just about doctrine and rules, but rather about Truth and the reality behind that Truth. This book reminds us that being Catholic is a human experience in total - our minds, emotions, feelings. This book made me feel proud to be Catholic. George Weigel challenges us to live boldly for Christ because as Catholics reality matters - that is, everything matters. Truth is real and as such is worth living, fighting, and even dying for.
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 03, 2011
Kathleen
rated it:
I checked this out of my local libary and fell in love with it. It's an atypical travelogue, and a very special one. I particularly loved reading about my favorite scene from Brideshead, the pub that GKC frequented, and St. Peter's, as I'd just been there. After I finished the book, I ordered a copy for myself and one for a friend. When my son backpacks across Europe one day, I will send this with him. I hope there's a Nook version by then.
Apr 23, 2008
Monica
rated it:
A look at what it "feels like" to be Catholic, by looking through the eyes of some famous Catholics and their environs. George Weigel takes us to St. Peter's basilica to view the bones of St. Peter and Caligula's Obelisk, to England to the pub where G.K. Chesterton drank, to Boston in the 1950's....
Jan 07, 2012
Jamie
rated it:
There were a few chapters I absolutely love and the others were just okay and were unconvincing at times. Overall I liked it.
You can read the best chapter (IMO) here:
"The Scavi of St. Peter's and the Grittiness of Catholicism"
http://www.catholiceducation.org/article...
You can read the best chapter (IMO) here:
"The Scavi of St. Peter's and the Grittiness of Catholicism"
http://www.catholiceducation.org/article...
May 06, 2010
Sue
rated it: 
this book gets tedious because of its pseudo-intellectual approach to the topics. i would have liked him to not concentrate so much on the head stuff of Catholicism and more on the heart stuff--applying it to his own life--this would have been more inspirational
Mar 07, 2008
John
rated it:
A good book for a non-Catholic to read. I feel I understand a lot more about why Mary and icons are a big deal to Catholics along with a lot of their famous landmarks. The third chapter about the humanity of Jesus was really good.
Mar 01, 2008
Amanda
rated it:
I like how the author mixes history and catholic teaching. I pick it up and read bits and pieces, not front to back like a novel. But it makes me proud to be Catholic and my faith richer.
Apr 19, 2009
David
rated it:
Wonderful book packed full of Catholic stories and Catholic history. I'm going to have to read a 2nd and 3rd time to unpack all the great material.
Sep 03, 2008
Amanda
rated it:
This book had some good points, and it had a lot of things that made me really think, but I'm not sure how I feel about it all...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 27, 2010
Alex
rated it:
Interesting information about the Catholic Church. Writing Style is very dry and not as illustrative as its potential
Nov 13, 2008
Monica
rated it:
Very conversational, if you happen to have conversations with highly rated Catholic theologians.
Dec 18, 2007
Jon
rated it:
A great read that talks about the "realness" of the Catholic faith and how we cannot escape it!
May 21, 2007
Jacqueline
rated it:
Great read...the ending getsa little preachy, but you will love the journy he you through.
Feb 26, 2008
becky
rated it:
good read, interesting places mixed with lessons/thought provoking stories
Dec 17, 2009
Jessica
rated it:
What a refreshing and great read. George Weigel has written another great book.
Sep 08, 2010
Chandra
rated it:
In Letters to a Young Catholic, George Weigel visits places all over the world to help the reader better understand the foundation of Catholicism. I found the descriptions of his travels particularly interesting. He visits Chartes Cathedral, the Holy Sepulcher, a pub in London, the Sistine Chapel...and the list goes on. I very much enjoyed this one.
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 08, 2012
Feb 08, 2012
