-Caveat Lector- from: http://www.drjohnholleman.com/jh/mwfbdr.html <A HREF="http://www.drjohnholleman.com/jh/mwfbdr.html">William F. Buckley, Jr. Nearer, My God : An Aut </A> ----- Nearer, My God : An Autobiography of Faith by William F. Buckley, Jr. The New York Times Book Review, William R. Everdell : It is "an autobiography of faith," a personal topic, and Buckley considers the political to be separate from the personal. Such criteria turn Nearer, My God at the outset from a treatise to a personal essay, perhaps the most personal of all of Buckley's books.... Buckley's many loyal readers will be pleased with this book. The American Spectator, Paul Johnson : In short, it is a bit of a rag-bag, and I have the impression that Buckley had some hesitation in deciding whether to write the book in the first place, and then in settling the way he should do it. But all these problems arise from what emerges as Buckley's strongest characteristic: his honesty. He is not prepared to slide over difficulties, to fudge, avoid or belittle them.... I suspect many people, both cradle Catholics and converts, and indeed those with other faiths or none at all, will find reading this sincere and straightforward book a fruitful experience. >From Kirkus Reviews , 08/01/97: This eloquent spiritual ``autobiography'' is, disappointingly, almost entirely about people other than Buckley, and about theology rather than faith. Buckley, erstwhile leader of the political right (founder and editor of the National Review) has departed from his usual subjects here. (Refreshingly, he humbly admits that this book took five years to write and that he was dissatisfied with the finished product, feeling that it lacked the fervor and narrative vigor usually associated with spiritual memoirs.) The book begins wonderfully: Buckley recounts his Catholic childhood in England and America, describing his devout parents, his privileged life of tutors, travels, and boarding schools. With his customary humor, he offers a teenager's view of Jesuit education; he also reveals a tender side, recounting his early prayers for his beloved mother's health (somewhat precarious after bearing 11 children). Yet the tenor of this chapter is in no way sustained throughout the book, which becomes an argumentative debate about the great issues of the Catholic Church. Even here, Buckley does not reveal much of himself, choosing instead to recount the intellectual struggles of adult friends who converted to Catholicism, among them Malcolm Muggeridge, Clare Boothe Luce, and Richard John Neuhaus. Buckley calls these pundits ``the forum,'' and he solicits their advice about many of the great theological debates: theodicy, the meaning of the crucifixion, papal infallibility (``the forum is divided on the issue of contraception,'' he tells us). Even the chapter entitled ``Experiencing Lourdes'' is primarily a detached observer's discussion of the site's history and the Church's lengthy process for authenticating miracles. One of the few hints we get about Buckley's own position is his r estrained comment that ``the spiritual tonic is felt'' by pilgrims at Lourdes. But despite the aloofness, Buckley remains, as ever, a witty and controversial commentator. Readers looking for meaty discussions of Catholic doctrine could do a lot worse. (1 b&w illustration, not seen) -- Copyright �1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Synopsis: World-famous social and political commentator William F. Buckley, Jr., turns his attention to a more personal subject in this reflective, poignant, and searching exploration of his faith, continuing the debate he began 43 years ago in his provocative and intelligent work, God and Man at Yale. >From the Publisher : His Roman-Catholic faith has been an enduring part of the life and personality of William Buckley, Jr. Now, for the first time since his ground breaking God and the Man at Yale he has written a book about faith--his own. Nearer, My God, An Autobiography of Faith is William Buckley's superbly written story of his life seen through his abiding love for the Catholic Church, a love instilled in him from childhood. He reminisces about his school days in England, his family, the affect the Lunn/Knox dialogue had on him, and examines many aspects of Catholicism and its theology, doctrine and liturgy and on the way discourses about Lourdes, the vernacular mass, the Church and the State, the Crucifixion, the priesthood, contraception as well as the many people who have assisted him on his life's journey. A remarkable, revealing book about one man and his faith. ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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