What Catholics Really Believe-Setting the Record Straight : 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith
by Karl Keating

Midwest Book Review
What Catholics Really Believe addresses fifty-two of the most common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith that are held by many Catholics and Protestants. Drawing upon Scripture and the Catholic tradition, Karl Keating shows the logical errors in these positions and clearly spells out Catholic teaching, explaining the rationale behind frequently misunderstood doctrines and practices. What Catholics Really Believe is an excellent guide to what Catholics really believe -- and why.

Buy this book

Catechism of the Catholic Church : Revised in Accordance With the Official Latin Text Promulgated by Pope John Paul II

Amazon.com
Catechism of the Catholic Church is the first new edition of the catechism in 400 years. Catechism means "instruction," and this text will remain the standard reference for Catholics for many future generations. It is the authoritative summary of Catholic belief regarding the Church creeds, sacraments, commandments, and prayers. To get some idea of the level of detail with which the Catechism engages Catholic doctrine, consider that 17 pages of explanation accompany the opening words of the Apostle's Creed ("I Believe in God the Father"). The book is exceptionally well organized, with line-by-line explanations of every conceivable aspect of orthodox Catholic belief. Extensive cross-referencing, indexing, footnotes, and "In Brief" summaries of each section further ease the project of finding the precise answers to any questions a reader might have. Even the layout of information on the page is easy on the eyes, with wide margins for readers who wish to make notes. Furthermore, the back cover features a true rarity in the annals of world literature: a blurb by the Pope. --Michael Joseph Gross --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Buy this book

Catholic Christianity : A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church
by Peter Kreeft

Subtitled "A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church". For the first time in 400 years the Catholic Church has authorized an official universal catechism which instantly became an international best-seller, the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Using this official Catechism, the highly-regarded author and professor Peter Kreeft presents a complete compendium of all the major beliefs of Catholicism written in his readable and concise style.

Since the Catechism of the Catholic Church was written for the express purpose of grounding and fostering catechisms based on it for local needs and ordinary readers, Kreeft does just that, offering a thorough summary of Catholic doctrine, morality, and worship in a popular format with less technical language. He presents a systematic, organic synthesis of essential and fundamental Catholic teachings.

Buy this book

Living the Catholic Faith : Rediscovering the Basics
by Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop Charles, O.F.M. Cap Chaput

Reviewer: Catherine Dickson from Powhatan, VA United States
Words cannot express my gratitude to Archbishop Charles Chaput for this beautiful book. He writes with clarity, incite, knowledge and humility. I read the book in two days (the first time) but can foresee returning to it again and again for a lifetime. From first becoming a Christian to the work of living as a Christian, the Archbishop lovingly explains the Basics of our Faith. This book is not for the faint of heart, however! You start the journey with a trip over Niagara Falls that is electrifying. Next, Chapter 2, Living in Christ, embraces the unsuspecting reader and holds so tight through the glorious drama in the synagogue of Nazareth it is hard to breathe. And it just gets better. I would highly recommend this book (only 159 pages!) for RCIA classes, Adult Faith Formation, Confirmation Classes and for anyone who wants to understand the Church to better follow Jesus.

Buy this book

The Jerusalem Bible : Reader's Edition

Book Description
When it comes to Bible translations, readability and reliability are what count; and on both counts, the original JERUSALEM BIBLE stands alone. A product of the age of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), THE JERUSALEM BIBLE (published in 1966) was the first truly modern Bible for Catholics. Using definitive original language texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical scholars of L'École Biblique in Jerusalem produced a meticulously accurate, wonderfully readable French translation of the complete canon of Scripture (La Bible de Jérusalem). From this French original came the English edition, edited by renowned Bible scholar Alexander Jones.

For all the people around the world who are discovering or revisiting the mysteries contained in the Scriptures, only a clear, understandable Bible translation will do. With language as exquisite but more modern than the King James Version, THE JERUSALEM BIBLE is the one they can trust.

Buy this book

The Family Story Bible
by Ralph Milton, Margaret Kyle

This Bible story book for children will satisfy parents who are looking for gender balance in story selection and inclusive language for God. The book is delightfully illustrated by Margaret Kyle.

Buy this book

The Westminster Guide to the Books of the Bible
by William M. Ramsay

A comprehensive introduction to all the books of the Bible, including the Apocrypha, written in a clear, inviting style for laity, students, adult study groups, and ministers. It reflects the latest biblical scholarship without relying on an extensive technical vocabulary, and is ecumenical in its approach, employing the use of inclusive language when appropriate. The New Testament portion is a revision of the Westminster John Knox Press The Layman's Guide to the New Testament (1981). Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Buy this book

Reading the Bible and the Confessions : The Presbyterian Way
by Jack Rogers

Reviewer: A reader from Michigan
After being active in the Presbyterian church for over 25 years, I finally have some understanding of what the Confessions are all about. This book gives real insight into how Presbyterians interpret the Bible. It also explains the theological process whereby they changed their thinking over time on issues such as slavery, women in the church, and the distinction between essential and non-essential issues. To outside observers, these shifts may appear to be "political" more than theological, but Rogers shows that the changes are firmly grounded in core theology. Given that the Presbyterians-- torn in a dispute over the role of homosexuals in the church--recently wrote into their Book of Order (constitution) a provision elevating the Confessions to an exceptionally high level, this book becomes nearly invaluable if one is to see these developments in historical and theological context. I recommend this book very highly.

Buy this book

The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History
by Michael Glazier (Editor), Thomas J. Shelley (Editor)

The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review, Charles R. Morris
One of the virtues of The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History is that besides the mandatory list of important people, religious orders and geographic surveys, there is a good selection of issue-oriented articles, including ones on lay reception of official Catholic sexual ethics, Catholic-Jewish relations, academic freedom on Catholic campuses and a fascinating history of American Catholic spirituality.... The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History is a splendid achievement. The choice of entries is thoughtful, creative and comprehensive. The articles are high quality, written by top scholars and embody the most recent research. The encyclopedia will be an essential acquisition for any academic library, for anyone working seriously in the field or simply for buffs who enjoy random strolls through nugget-strewn groves.

Buy this book

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Reviewer: Vonda Tedford Keon from Mississippi
Finally after many years I have had the wonderful fortune of spending time with the Blessed St. Bernadette. This 'ignorant' miller's daughter suffered so much in the flesh and was so persecuted at first for her strong faith by the older more educated people who just didn't understand that the reason the Blessed Mother would appear to her, a mere uneducated child, was because Mary herself was a pure simple girl also. To read about Bernadette is to live and walk in her path of holiness. This is by far the best account I have found of her life and the events that happened at Lourdes. This book is truly a blessing for those that believe in the communion of saints. May we all find inspiration in the life of Bernadette to lead a life of prayer and penance, penance, penance.

Buy this book

Our Lady of Fatima
by William Thomas Walsh

Reviewer: A reader from Boston
This book claims to reveal prophesies that predicted the rise of communism, World War II, and other major events. It also claims that freemasons blamed pious Catholics for the murder of Jacinta and Francisco the following year in order to fulfill the prophesy of 1917 (in fact they died from natural causes). The author fails to mention that Lucy's "prophesies" were not written down until the 1940's, AFTER all these events had occurred. The New York Times article describing "the Miracle of the Sun" on the day following the event DOES NOT EXIST. If you don't believe me, go to your local library and look it up yourself. This is like the fraudulent Nostradamus e-mails that predicted the World Trade Center disaster, but that only appeared AFTER the event. In fact, "the Miracle of the Sun" never took place and the supposed 70,000 witnesses did not exist!

The Catholic Encyclopedia of 1909 (available online) has scholarly researched articles that prove that both the Rosary and the Shroud of Turin are frauds, but the Catholic Church continues to pawn these on the public. It acts like a parent who tells her child that the tooth fairy stole her tooth in the middle of the night. I know many people will be angry with this review, but I challenge them to research the original sources before giving a blanket condemnation.

Reviewer: A reader from San Diego, CA United States
I've read many books on Fatima, and this is the best--hands down. William Thomas Walsh's writing is truly magnificent. Fatima literally comes alive in these pages, with rich descriptions, and a truly exciting prose style.

I must disagree with a previous reviewer that said that the book's age is beginning to show. The apparitions of Fatima occurred in 1917. The fact that the book was written closer to the time-frame of the occurrences there is an asset, not a detriment. And yet the book and it's well regarded message could not be more current. This one is not to be missed.

Buy this book

New Directions in Sexual Ethics : Moral Theology and the Challenge of AIDS
by Kevin Kelly

Buy this book

Catholic Sourcebook
by Cline, Peter Klein

Completely revised and given a fresh new look, this book contains the essential teachings and basic texts of Catholic beliefs, prayers, practises, and traditions. It is filled with clear, concise, and accurate information on scripture, sacraments, doctrine, the liturgical year, devotions, saints and heroes, councils and popes, church history, religious practises and customs, Catholic symbols, and much more. Also contains an extensive glossary and listings of religious words and terms. Better than any almanac and more useful than an encyclopedia or dictionary, this is the one Catholic reference book that every home, parish, and classroom needs

Buy this book

The Orthodox Church
by Timothy Ware, Kallistos Ware

Reviewer: Jonathan A. Hamby from Hewitt, Tx United States
As a Non-Orthodox Christian, I found Timothy Ware's edition of the "Orthodox Church" very helpful in coming to glimpse with the historical and doctrinal aspects of the church.

Part One of this book displays a well-defined and compact discourse concerning the Early Church, the Church of the Seven Councils, and the struggling Church in a state of siege and persecution.

Part Two makes evident the faith and worship of the Orthodox Church. In this section, Timothy Ware discusses the principles behind Orthodox Liturgy, the Sacraments, and God's relations with the individuals that constitute the invisible body of the Church. As a reader I discovered the the little things that engendered big friction between the East and the West. Also I found valuable information about the rise of communist Russia, the internal and external dissent between Orthodox Churches during this period, and the prevalence of a faith that has remained nearly unchanged throughout the ups and downs of its long history.

So I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Church History, or for someone who simply wishes to look at the Orthodox Church from the pen of an Orthodox writter.

Buy this book