Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait

by Peter Seewald

In the person of Benedict XVI, the Church has a Pope who is one of the most significant of Europe's intellectuals. The journalist Peter Seewald, who has known Ratzinger since 1992, conducted the "longest interviews in Church history" with him, for two books which were best-sellers world-wide, Salt of the Earth , and God and the World. Now, for the first time, Seewald describes these intensive encounters in detail, and draws a portrait of this brilliant theologian who has put his life entirely at the service of the Catholic Church. This book is also the story of a long dialogue that changed Seewald's life. Many people are trying to understand who Benedict XVI really is. On one point they all in the person of Joseph Ratzinger, the chair of Peter is occupied by one of the most brilliant minds in the world. Peter Seewald's portrait of Benedict recounts details about the personality and life of Benedict that were hitherto completely unknown.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Catholic

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Peter Seewald - a journalist and a writer.
Declared as an atheist, who after a series of interviews with Joseph Ratzinger, together with his family, returned to the Catholic Church. As a journalist, he worked for "Stern" and "Spiegel".

Reviews

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of biographies of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) were rolled out after his election to the Holy See in 2005. This one comes from Peter Seewald, author of two book-length interviews with Joseph Ratzinger (1997's 'Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millenium' and 2002's 'God and the World').

I would consider this to be one of the most fully-rounded and indeed, 'intimate' portraits of the current pope. Commissioned in 1993 to write an article on the 'Grand Inquisitor', Seewald describes in detail his (as expected, rather diverse) encounters with Ratzinger's friends, foes, students and colleagues with whom he spoke, as well as his own personal meeting with the Cardinal himself.

A former Communist, Seewald credits his intellectual dialogues with Ratzinger for provoking and renewing his Christian faith.

I picked up this book in light of the recent news of another book-length interview with the Pope from Seewald -- the first of its kind and a rare privilege for a journalist.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent "behind the scenes" view of the Pope's life, intellectual and cultural development and his impact on the world, told from the perspective of a journalist-critic-turned-fan. A must read to understand the future of Christianity.

[Jorge Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una gran obra por parte de Peter Seewald, a nivel periodístico, intelectual y testimonial. Un libro que atrapa y mantiene expectante al siguiente capítulo, como si de una novela se tratara. Rico en filosofía, teología y posturas idealmente guiadas por algo más que razonamiento humano por parte de Benedicto XVI. Desde su vocación como académico excepcional, su viaje como obispo y guardia de la fe (guiado por el espíritu santo) ha sabido equilibrar los cuestionamiento plenamente humanos de “teólogos” y críticos con acciones fuera del pensamiento de cualquier ignorante o intolerante.

Ora et labora y su escudo de armas dicen mucho, mucho de lo que es uno de los intelectuales más activos de nuestro tiempo (no confundir con intelectualistas, de lo cual está rodeado el mundo de los intolerantes y dogmáticos radicales). Grande Benedicto XVI y maravillosa obra de Seewald que una claridad de ideas y de orden plasma lo que desea con acertada escritura.

Entre Bach, Mozart, Herman Hesse, formación intelectual, el estilo para la defensa de la fe y la disciplina moral quede maravillado con los detalles de algo más que un gran hombre.

[Jonathon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really diverse, broad perspective of Pope Benedict XVI's life, background, and portrayal. Some parts of Seewald's work seems to jump around a bit. It probably could have benefited from a bit better flow, but, overall, an excellent biography - indeed, an "Intimate Portrait".

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping to learn more about him, but this is more about the author's experience interviewing him for his other 2 books, with some biographical information. I should have read one of his other books, but this was for a book club.

[Bob Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best biography of Benedict written during his papacy. The author, on account of his unprecedented access to Ratzinger/Benedict, presents a fair but knowledgeable portrayal of the Pope Emeritus.

[Husham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insgesamt eine gute Einführung in das Leben und Werk von Papst Benedikt XVI. Es schien mir allerdings manchmal etwas langatmig, besonders der erste Teil des Buches, darin oft viele nichtssagende momentbeschreibungen usw. An manchen Stellen des Buches scheint mir der verfasser etwas zu apologetisch zu sein. Allerdings punktet Seewald mit treffenden Gedanken zum Thema glauben, deutscher Gesellschaft, und journalismus, sowie nicht zuletzt der Behandlung der "Benedikt-Kritik" und einer schönen Schilderung von Kindheit, Jugend und Prägungen des Papstes.

Es ist insgesamt lesenswert, sollte aber als Einführung oder Ergänzung zu den Gesprächsbänden von Seewald mit Papst Benedikt gelesen werden.

[Arnulfo Novo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uno de los mejores libros que he leído. Peter Seewald hizo un trabajo realmente extraordinario, el tema principal es Ratzinger como Cardenal, el Prefecto de la Congregación para la Doctrina de la Fe, el hijo, el hermano, el amigo, el ser humano y el Papa, y como tema secundario y casi sin darle importancia su propia conversión al trabajar en este proyecto. Totalmente recomendable, abarca mucho más de lo que parece y dice más de lo evidente. Excelente!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich, vor dem Lesen: Hm, hoffentlich ist dieses Buch über katholisches Dogma nicht zu trocken

Peter Seewald: hold my beer, und meine Kippen, den Whiskey und die Zigarren, ich muss noch eine Passage über Marx und den Großinquisitor schreiben.

Erfischend spannend. Ich hab das Ding an zwei Tagen weggehauen.

[EMIL ANTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best portrait of B16.

[Ci]

No rating possible.

(Ignatius Press, noted.)