Man of the Century: The Life and Times of Pope John Paul II

A sympathetic portrait of Pope John Paul II journeys inside the life of the visionary leader, explaining how his firm religious conviction and nonviolent struggle for peace, unity, and the end of totalitarianism have changed the course of twentieth-century history. 50,000 first printing.

Other reviews that may interest potential readers:
"Kwitny scores a stunning achievement...likely to become the definitive study....lively journalistic style...in spite of its great detail, an accessible story."--Publishers Weekly, showing Man of the Century with six other books illustrating "PW's Best Books... The year's most distinguished titles." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Man of the Century must be considered the best life of Wojtyla available and, by a substantial margin, it is the most thoroughly researched, the most complete and offers the best balance between maintaining a sometimes prickly critical distance and showing open admiration for its subject.... Kwitny's diligent research and readable chronicle will be a fundamental source for understanding these critical events for years to come."--Los Angeles Times (by Charles R. Morris, author of American Catholic). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Kwitny, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and host of The Kwitny Report on PBS, presents an immensely readable narrative.... As his main thesis, Kwitny posits that the fall of communism...was not due to any "holy alliance" between Washington and Rome.... It was mainly because of the vision and efforts of John Paul II. It is here that Kwitny shines.... Based on extensive interviews with American and Polish players at the time...Kwitny dramatically documents that few have been as prepared philosophically, theologically, culturally and spiritually to lead the world out of an old millennium and into a new one as the 'man of the century,' Pope John Paul II."--Philadelphia Inquirer (by Catholic theologian Paul Quinter)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Incisive analysis of John Paul II's social teaching...informative, highly readable...Kwitny argues--convincingly, in my judgment--that the Reagan Administration's support of the Polish Solidarity movement was minimal at best and that its role in bringing down the Soviet regime has been mythologized. Given the scope and depth of Kwitny's investigative reporting, those who may wish to challenge him on this issue have their work cut out for them.... We can be grateful that a writer of Kwitny's caliber as an investigative reporter and the respected author of several previous books has stepped in."--America Magazine (by Monsignor George Higgins).~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Kwitny is a journalist, not an academic historian. He communicates unstuffily, even when he is explaining philosophy. His career has largely been spent covering the Cold War, and he has developed a grandness of perspective that academics, mostly specialists, seldom acquire. Best, he does not grind axes or ride hobbyhorses; he briefly, prefatorily announces his opinion of his subject and then lets the record speak for itself. In short, he may be the perfect biographer of Pope John Paul II while that pontiff lives."--Booklist ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Kwitny's honest and thorough accounting of Pope John Paul's life, views and work is comprehensive without losing a feel for the unique personality and passion of the man. You can't come away from Man of the Centuiry without a profound depth of knowledge and appreciation for Pope John Paul and his significant role in world history."--Dr. Laura Schlessinger.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "This thorough, readable and badly needed description of our underappreciated pontiff does history a service by giving us a fuller and truer view."--Governor Mario Cuomo