Thomas S. Bokenkotter (1924–2021)

Told from the perspective of somebody sympathetic to the Church, this provides a nice counter-point to many of the historical arguments against Catholicism and is well worthwhile for that reason.

On the other hand, the writing regularly crosses the line from biography to hagiography, with many characters introduced as "bold" or "working tirelessly". If an editor had toned down the superlatives, the rest of the book may have been more believably objective.

An excellent history up to the end of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 and its aftermath (first 75% of the book). Thereafter it goes downhill (final 25%). Readers should know that this book was first published in 1977. New editions with added material were released in 1979, 1990, 2004, and 2005. Unfortunately, the new material was simply tacked on to the old with apparently no effort to update the language, verb tenses, etc. in the older text to reflect the fact that time had passed show more between the additions/editions. Should have ended so much better. show less

Excellent analysis of the development of the Catholic theology but written so a lay person can understand it.

Excellent presentation of the ups and downs of the Catholic Church with a focus on the critical moments.