Wilmington, Massachusetts, U.S.A.: Houghton Mifflin, 2002 Wilmington, Massachusetts, U.S.A.: Houghton Mifflin, 2002 390 pp with index. Posing questions for Catholic and non-Catholic alike, "Why I am a Catholic" argues for the continuing relevance of a papacy understood as a symbol of unity, not of infallibility. Text is clean,tight and unmarked. DJ is clean,bright, undamaged. In Brodart jacket. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Near Fine.. First Edition.. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine.

Synopsis

In this provocative work, which could not be timelier, Garry Wills, one of our country's most noted writers and historians, offers a powerful statement of his Catholic faith. Beginning with a reflection on his early experience of that faith as a child and later as a Jesuit seminarian, Wills reveals the importance of Catholicism in his own life. He goes on to challenge, in clear and forceful terms, the claim that criticism or reform of the papacy is an assault on the faith itself. For Wills, a Catholic can be both loyal and critical, a loving child who stays with his father even if the parent is wrong. Wills turns outward from his personal experiences to present a sweeping narrative covering two thousand years of church history, revealing that the papacy, far from being an unchanging institution, has been transformed dramatically over the millennia -- and can be reimagined in the future. At a time when the church faces one of its most difficult crises, Garry Wills offers an important and compelling entrée into the discussion of the church's past -- and its future. Intellectually brisk and spiritually moving, Why I Am a Catholic poses urgent questions for Catholic and non-Catholic readers alike.

Reviews

On Dec 23 2014, The Old Library Bookshop said:

Two-hundred pages into this 300+-page book, I was still wondering why Mr. Wills--indeed, why I--remains a Catholic. Wills's area of expertise seems to be the history of the papacy. He romps through two thousand years of church history outlining all the shameful details of abuses and failures of those charged with tending the faithful. It is only in the last 50-page section of the book, when Wills's focus turns to the Apostles' Creed that the clouds start to part and a faithful Catholic begins to be reassured. With frequent quotes from Augustine, William F. Buckley, and G.K. Chesterton to bolster his liberal Catholic viewpoint, Wills succeeds in explaining why he (and, likewise, so many Catholics) are still committed to the Church despite its historic flaws.

(Log in or Create an Account first!)

Details

Bookseller: Catron Grant Books (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 000881
Title: Why I am a Catholic
Author: Wills, Garry
Format/Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition: Near Fine
Edition: First Edition.
ISBN 10: 0618134298
ISBN 13: 9780618134298
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Place of Publication: Wilmington, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2002
Keywords: CATHOLICISM RELIGION
Bookseller catalogs: Religion and Philosophy;

Terms of Sale

Catron Grant Books

30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged. Books must be returned in the condition in which they were sold. No returns on books valued at less than $9.00.

About the Seller

Catron Grant Books

This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Biblio member since 2012

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Ask Seller a Question

About Catron Grant Books

Specializing in olderbooks on travel and exploration in Asia, and World War II Pacific and Southeast Asia.Online sales and antiquarian book shows in the American West.

Glossary
Frequently asked questions

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Jacket: Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Brodart: Generally used to refer to a clear plastic cover that is sometimes added to the dustjacket or outside covering of a book. The...