Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait

Three and a half years into Pope Benedict XVI's reign as the Vicar of Christ, this is exactly the type of biography that should be coming out. After the flurry of hastily prepared books (some quality, some not), Seewald gives us a thoughtful, in-depth portrait of the pontiff. Seewald, of course, was the impetus behind Salt of the Earth and God of the World, two important books written in conjunction with the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. This book offers a glimpse into the process of Seewald's introduction into the world of Ratzinger and his subsequent reconversion back into the Church. Seewald tells of his commission in 1993 to write an article on the oft-mistunderstood "Panzerkardinal" and in what I think is the most interesting part of this book, recounts some of the interviews he conducted in preparation for that story. Interviewees include those supportive of the Cardinal (including his own brother, Georg) and those who resent the Cardinal (like Hans Küng). In his interviews, Seewald says that he came away with a dual view of the Cardinal. Eventually, Seewald gets to interview Cardinal Ratzinger himself for the two books, and he recounts the travails involved in this process. In addition, Seewald credits Ratzinger for his move from an atheist-Communist-apostate to reentry into full communion with the Church. In this sense, it is as much Seewald's story as it is Ratzinger/Pope Benedict's, but God as he works through Pope Benedict exists at the center of the work. While not as detailed as Brennan Pursell's Benedict of Bavaria with regard to Ratzinger's childhood experiences, I found these sections to be sufficient and appropriate given the goals of the book. One is given an overall impression of Ratzinger's life from childhood, through his appointment to as the Cardinal Archbishop of Munich, to the sometimes-shackling position as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Throughout, Benedict's great intellect and humility shine forth as perhaps his defining qualities. Overall, this is the best biography of Benedict I have read and I greatly appreciate Mr. Seewald's work. I recommend it to anyone who wants to gain knowledge about perhaps the most important man of this age.

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A very good book about a very good pope!

Well written, well thought, easy to read and follow book full of stories and inspiring text for both Catholics and non Catholics alike.

Excellent

For the purposes of my dissertation on B16, I've read *a lot* of books on him. I'd say this is perhaps the best one, or at least one of the top 3 for sure. Seewald conducted several personal interviews with B16 and was converted in the process himself. So this is from a journalist who knows how to write, knows Benedict XVI personally, and also understand the faith. A wonderful combination of biographical and faith-related material. The highest recommendation for anyone looking for one good book to read about B16!

Well, now I'm finished reading "Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait," and I'm exhausted but very, very satisfied!"Intimate Portrait" is not just about the Pope but also about the author's journey back into the Church. The book chronicles the author's extensive research not only on Benedict's personal background but also a crash course on catholicism and Ratzinger's theology, if he were to interview the then Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith and not appear stupid. And what a ride! The author even had a sample taste of personal sacrifices and a bit of the dark night of the soul! Bottom line: Coming home to the Church.The fact that both the author and his subject are German reflects a kind of intimacy from the very start. Seewald had the temerity to throw some unimaginable (for a journalist) hard-ball questions and Ratzinger answered them with calmness, clarity, humor, kindness and love.Everything I liked about our Pope is there - his "dictatorship of relativism" homily just before the start of the conclave, his election to the Chair of Peter, his World Youth Day boatride on the Rhine while thousands of young people waded in the water, his controversial Regensburg lecture, his visit to Turkey that earned him the title, "Benedict the Brave," and much, much more. Seewald personalized them and I shared all that he saw and felt.However, "Intimate Portrait" is not in an interview Q and A format, but rather an indepth, balance (critics and supporters given equal opportunity to weigh in), and ultimately sympathetic narrative. The story of how "Salt of the Earth" and "God and the World" came about, along with a slice of Benedictine monastery life make "Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait" doubly enjoyable to read.Being a huge Seewald fan, how could I have missed "Intimate Portrait" when it first came out? It was published in 2007, but I heard nothing of the author's other books after "God and the World."I highly recommend "Benedict xvi: Intimate Portrait." And now I'm ready for Seewald's new book, "Light of the World."