Customer Reviews:
 For University Trained Philosophers September 29, 2005
J. M. Stout, Ph.D. (Arizona)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is an excellent scholarly treatment of Pope John-Paul II's
thinking and worldview. The only drawback is the book is written at a "16" reading level, meaning you must have graduated from college with a major in philosophy. Therefore, I recommend the author's other book on the same subject written for non-college graduates. I gave it two stars because the author and publisher did not make this clear on the book jacket - - in order to sell books, of course - - and they only printed the other edition after having received a lot of flack from critics and book stores, which had too many returned because buyers could not understand the material. In my opinion, this should have been a college textbook and not released to the general public; however,as is often the case,greed rules the book market.
 A guide to an insight of a great philosopher's mind December 16, 2003
Juan Olvera (Orlando, Florida United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book will guide you through Wojtyla's thought. Be aware that this is not a substitute to Wojtyla's own writings. However, this book gives you a philosophical perspective into his writings thus, if you don't have the basic philosophical knowledge, it will be hard to read.For example, it takes me a couple of times to read the same chapter before it clicks. If you are strong in your philosophical background you will have no problem reading Buttiglione's book. Regardless, if you are not familiar with thinkers such as Wittgenstein or Sartre, please still get this book. You'll get to know-the latter mentioned philosophers thinking and actually appreciate even more why Wojtyla is a great contemporary philosopher. I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about one of philosophy's greatest contributions since Descartes' cogito ergo sum.
 Good but a hard read. December 19, 2001
Ed K. (Harris, MN USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The book is hard to understand not only in philosophical thought but also some polish history would help.
As a casual reader I found the book to be more of a task then I wanted.
A challenge is good if you have the patience for the subject mater. I rated the book high because it was well written and informative but a little over my head. I simply didn't have the back round knowledge I needed to get full understanding.
There are other books on Pope John Paul 2 that would be more beneficial for the causal reader.
A major philosopher December 12, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The reader seeking to understand the thinking of Pope John Paul II will find no better introduction than this remarkable book. Buttiglione is a major philosopher in his own right--as if evident from his careful discussions of Adorno, Sartre, Marx, and other thinkers he brings into dialogue with Wojtyla. Highly recommended.
great intro to the Wojtyla's thought November 24, 1998
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
Buttiglione, like Wojtyla, is not an easy read. His book, however, is very valuable in that through it one can start the process of understanding the pope's previous thought. Buttiglione does not deal with Wojtyla as Pope John Paul II; as he explains this requires an interpretation in the light of the church's whole history. Along with a high recommendation of this text, a warning is in order: it does require philosophical training to understand. However, one must begin somewhere and Buttiglione is a worthy starting place.
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