This intimate, affectionate portrait of Pope John Paul II by his long-time secretary and confidant reveals fascinating new details about the opinions, hopes, fears, and dramatic life of this public man. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz worked side-by-side with Pope John Paul II for almost forty years, enjoying unique access to both the public and private man. In A Life with Karol, he provides a close-up glimpse into the pope's life and the critical events of his papacy. Dziwisz was sitting next to the pope during the assassination attempt in 1981. He recounts the pope's reaction to 9/11, describing his thoughts and feelings on that day. And the cardinal's moving description of the pope's haunting memories of World War II uncovers the roots of the pontiff's intense opposition to George W. Bush's war on Iraq. The two men shared moments of fun and spontaneity as well. Dziwisz writes about the times the pope would slip out of the Vatican wearing a Panama hat to stroll the streets of Rome, and he describes the clandestine ski and hiking trips the pair made to escape the Vatican. His firsthand account of the pope's last years also reveals that John Paul II considered resigning. These stories and others lend added poignancy to Dziwisz's extraordinary portrayal of the pope's courage and calmness during his final illness.
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"This book was very moving. The way Pope John Paul II responded to the assasination attempt on his life was inspiring. The positive way he approached his Parkinson's disease was incredible. Plus I loved when it talked about his close friendship with Mother Teresa." — Ashley (4 out of 5 stars)
"This book was very moving. The way Pope John Paul II responded to the assasination attempt on his life was inspiring. The positive way he approached his Parkinson's disease was incredible. Plus I loved when it talked about his close friendship with Mother Teresa."
“Memorable…Richly artistic.”
Memorable.... Richly artistic.
" I think it could be a great book, but just very hard to read and follow. "
" This book is really good to know some more polish culture, history. You can learn, how to be, from a Great Person. "
" This is not only a testimony to a 40 year-old friendship based on loyalty and respect but also a mini history lesson. Oh, you'll need your Kleenex reading the last chapter. :) "
" The descriptions of the attempt on his life in 1981 and of his passing in 2005 were moving and better than I have read elsewhere. The book is merely okay otherwise but is still worth reading by those interested in Blessed Pope John Paul the Great. Santo subito! "
" Loved it. Didn't want to put it down "
Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz was personal secretary to Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) in Krakow and in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1963, was appointed Archbishop of Krakow in 2005, and in 2006 was made a cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI.
Norman Dietz is a writer, voice-over artist, and audiobook narrator. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and was named one of the fifty “Best Voices of the Century” by AudioFile magazine. He and his late wife, Sandra, transformed an abandoned ice-cream parlor into a playhouse, which served “the world’s best hot fudge sundaes” before and after performances. The founder of Theatre in the Works, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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