One of my favorites. Canticle is a great read, with an enjoyable plot. But it's much much more than that. There is a deeper meaning here about the ultimate nature of humanity. The book shows what good humanity can do when the forces of religion, science and politics work together. It shows how we can destroy ourselves when these forces turn against each other. It shows why each force is essential and it shows what happens when each force is twisted. And the apology against suicide that encompasses the third act is all the more heartbreaking given the author's own suicide. It is a shame Miller could not overcome his own demons, because undoubtedly this book has helped others overcome theirs. ( )

This a novel consisting of three books, book one, Fiat Homo, concerns Brother Francis Gerard of Utah, his discovery of the sacred document of Liebowitz and his subsequent life and travails. In this book we learn that civilisation has been all but destroyed in a nuclear war, and following the fallout came the destruction of learning and technology by the survivors - the 'simplification'. Many years later the church is the only international power and churches have also been the last redoubt of books and technology, where they are held as religious icons and venerated. Brother Francis, belongs to the Albertian Order of Liebowitz. When this bumbling novice finds an original Leibowitz document, a blueprint, in a fallout shelter great political events are put in motion.

In his spare time Francis takes this blueprint, a circuit diagram, and illumniates it producing beautiful religious relic, which will eventually cause his death.

Book two, Fiat Lux, some states are now civilised and technology is being re-developed, there is a struggle between the secular and divine for control of the remaining pre-war knowledge.

Book three, Fiat Voluntas Tua, it is clear that there will be nuclear war again and a small mission from the Order of Lieborwitz join a papal mission to the stars to carry the work of God and man to other worlds and away from a doomed earth.

Written at the height of the cold war, this book is a satire on politics and religion, although the church, in this book, is on the whole a force for good. The story of Brother Francis' life, told in the first book, is very funny, the best part of the story, I think. ( )

Probably my favorite post-apocalyptic novel, greatly enhanced by a historical perspective and its view of the monastic orders' role in conserving human knowledge and culture. ( )

Probably my favorite post-apocalyptic novel, greatly enhanced by a historical perspective and its view of the monastic orders' role in conserving human knowledge and culture. ( )

I read this book when I was fairly young, and it made a big impression on me. For the first time, I got an inkling that what has come before will be repeated. It made the study of history far more engaging, because I had come to realize that human activity follows discernible patterns.

If this book were assigned to more middle school and high school students, more of them might graduate with more appreciation for history. But of course, history would also have to be taught as more than a series of disassociated events with famous names attached to them. ( )