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Spirituality and ReligionMarch 2015
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New and Recently Released!
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| An American Cardinal: The Biography of Cardinal Timothy Dolan by Christina BoyleCardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, aspired to the Catholic priesthood from an early age. In this engaging biography, journalist Christina Boyle recounts Dolan's early life, focusing on his service as a bishop in St. Louis and Archbishop of Milwaukee during a period fraught with sexual abuse scandals. She concludes with a review of his tenure since 2009 as Cardinal Archbishop of New York and discusses speculations that he could be elected Pope. An American Cardinal, called an "introductory look at a media-visible priest" (Booklist), portrays a down-to-earth, approachable man whose primary calling is to be a pastor. |
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American Saint: The Life of Elizabeth Seton by Joan BarthelMother Elizabeth Seton was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1975, 200 years after her birth to a prominent Episcopalian family in New York City. In American Saint, Joan Barthel, a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, engagingly highlights the significance of Elizabeth's contributions to American education, the Catholic Church, and women's roles in the Church. Barthel relates Elizabeth's rejection by New York society after her conversion to Catholicism, her relocation to Maryland, her struggles within the Church, and her eventual triumph in founding the first American women's religious order and establishing the first parochial school. Kirkus Reviews calls American Saint "a rounded portrait of an ambitious woman."
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| The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope by Austen IvereighJose Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, has attracted attention since his election because of his devotion to the poor and his willingness to shake things up within the traditional Catholic hierarchy. In The Great Reformer, Catholic journalist Austen Ivereigh provides a detailed account of the Pope's family background, the Second Vatican Council's influence on him as a young priest, and the significance of his Jesuit spiritual training. Ivereigh concludes that Francis' vision for the Church will bring about significant innovation. Publishers Weekly calls this "the best examination of the current pope to date." |
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Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen ArmstrongIn Fields of Blood, acclaimed writer Karen Armstrong offers insight into the connections between religion and violence. A comprehensive history, it explores the use of violence in early human communities and shows how religion was later employed to justify it. As religion evolved, its adherents (especially in Christianity and Islam) promoted principles of love and non-violence, but despite these core teachings religion often takes the blame for terrorism and political oppression. Armstrong's expertise in religious studies contributes to her "definitive voice in defense of the divine" (Kirkus Reviews), which rebuts those who assert that religion's influence is necessarily harmful.
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Spiritual Biographies and Memoirs
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Christ Actually: The Son of God for the Secular Age by James CarrollAward-winning religion columnist James Carroll examines Christian doctrine about Jesus Christ in Christ Actually, looking for an interpretation that makes sense in the post-Holocaust and post-Hiroshima era. Concluding that Jesus' identity as a Jew has been neglected or obscured by the Church, he analyzes the record in the New Testament, emphasizing Jesus' relationship with John the Baptist and Paul's Jewish training. Though Carroll's scholarship does not break new ground, he makes Jesus and Christian faith newly relevant for the 21st century in this thoughtful and engaging book.
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| In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad by Tariq RamadanThe Prophet Muhammad inspired a great international religious movement; nearly 25% of the world's population are Muslims. Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan's In the Footsteps of the Prophet offers an accessible and informative biography of Muhammad that connects his spiritual and ethical principles to significant events in his life. Emphasizing how the Prophet's profound consciousness of God inspired him to love his followers, Ramadan also illustrates Muhammad's compassion towards everyone, offering moving examples of his kindness towards slaves, animals, and prisoners of war. This thoughtful profile will draw readers of all faiths into a deeper understanding of Muhammad. |
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| Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet by John G. TurnerBrigham Young, who was at first skeptical of the gospel proclaimed by Prophet Joseph Smith, eventually embraced his teachings from the Book of Mormon wholeheartedly. Historian John Turner's Brigham Young discusses spiritual influences that helped form Young's faith before he took over leadership of the Mormon community after Smith's death. In this accessible and balanced account, Turner portrays Young's complex, sometimes controversial character while clarifying his lasting influence on the Latter-Day Saints' beliefs and practices. Library Journal says, in a starred review, "there aren't enough superlatives for this book." |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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