Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church.

New York: Doubleday, 2005. 1st ed.. Hardback octavo, dustjacket, very good plus condition (in very good plus dustjacket), cloth spine, minor edgewear. 403 pp. John Allen provides the first serious study of the highly secretive, controversial organization Opus Dei. Provides unique insight into the wild rumours surrounding it, and discloses its significant influence in the Vatican and the politics of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei (literally "the work of God") is an international conservative association of Catholics who seek personal Christian perfection and strive to implement Christian ideals in their jobs and in society as a whole. Founded in Spain in 1928, it now has 84,000 members in 80 countries. It has been accused of promoting a right-wing political agenda and of cultlike practices, aggressive recruiting, brainwashing new recruits, and isolating members from their families. Its notoriety escalated with the publication of the runaway bestseller "The Da Vinci Code", in which it plays an important and sinister role. Granted unlimited access to the order, Allen draws on a wealth of interviews with current members, as well as with highly critical ex-members. First edition.