There is no way that I could claim to write an "unbiased" review of a book about St. Josemaria Escriva or Opus Dei. First of all, I don't believe in unbiased reviews of anything. We all operate in a context and frame of reference which colors our perceptions of people and events. To claim otherwise is to try to fool ourselves. The best we can do, and should do, is acknowledge and disclose our world view and allow others to incorporate that information when evaluating our positions. Secondly, I could not offer an unbiased review because of my devotion to St. Escriva. He greatly impacted my conversion to Christianity and the rest of my life. This is an effect which began many years before I had ever heard his name or of The Work which he founded.

John Allen was given unlimited, and unprecedented, access to members of Opus Dei, their offices, centers, financial records, founding documents, correspondences and anything else for which he asked. He conducted hundreds of hours of interviews with members, critical ex-members and ex-members who remain on good terms with Opus Dei. His associates conducted an exhaustive global financial audit of The Work. He also received a detailed view of how Opus Dei views itself, it's mission and the spirituality of its members.

Mr. Allen has no reason to sugar coat the facts for Opus Dei. As a senior reporter for the National Catholic Reporter, which is a publication many (including myself) consider to lean "left" politically and to often contradict the teaching authority of the Church. If anything, Opus Dei would seem to have the greater concern of being the victim of a unfair reporting. However, to his great credit, Mr. Allen presents very balanced information and reasoned analysis.

The nonsense allegations of The Da Vinci Code are quickly and expertly eviscerated with a brevity fitting their lack of seriousness. Mr. Allen documents that Opus Dei views itself as an organization with a mission to teach people how to grow in holiness in their "ordinary" lives. Indeed this is the founding spirituality and the only reason of its existence. St. Escriva taught that Opus Dei exhausts itself in the formation of its members and explicitly forbade political or economic aspirations for The Work itself. Members, of course, participate in politics and economics according to their conscience as would any other citizens. Allegations of "cultish" behavior are analyzed in detail, with many ex-members being allowed to share their experiences and opinions. However Mr Allen repeatedly demonstrates that the evidence does not back up these allegations en masse. Indeed many of the allegations most loudly and frequently repeated can be demonstrated to be simply factually wrong; such as allegations of massive financial wealth, unparalleled control of the Vatican, and massive campaigns of recruitment.

It is very interesting, and also sad, to hear the accounts of the critical ex-members. In a way they are also very "ordinary." I have long observed that those who are "ex"-anything are usually the loudest critics of their former way of life. Indeed, I see this trend in myself, as an ex-atheist who is very critical of the ideas of atheism and many of the "new atheist" authors.

This also gives me peace about The Work. I would expect any organization with such a mission to be brutally and viciously attacked. However one must always be cautious in these matters. Clearly, simply being attacked, is not a guarantee of the merits of an organization.

In the end, my admiration of The Work and its founder were reinforced and increased. Mr. Allen's analysis confirmed what I have previously learned through study and prayer. Josemaria Escriva is a Saint and I thank God for Opus Dei.