HOLY FATHER Pope Benedict XVI, Pontiff for a New Era

Not simply a biography of Joseph Ratzinger, the man who would become Pope Benedict XVI, this is at once a primer on the papacy (with many short biographies on some of the men who have held the office of Pope) and an exposé documenting the transition between the two most recent Vicars of Rome. John McDonough follows through expertly on the reading, giving a handful of alternate pronunciations, but otherwise tackling the daunting vocabulary and papal roster effortlessly. Best of all, he is talking to the listener, and engagingly so, presenting what could have been a tenebrous text. Anyone wanting a short overview of the Roman Catholic Church won't be disappointed with this book. S.M.M. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 06/ JAN 07]