Man of the Century:
The Life and Times of Pope John Paul II
by Jonathan Kwitney
Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1997
Review by Darris McNeely
Jonathan Kwitney's Man of the Century: The Life and Times of Pope John
Paul II,is a sympathetic treatment of the life of the former
Bishop of Krakow, Karol Wojtyla. This 678-page biography traces the
present Pope's life from his birth in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. His
story is told within the context of Cold War Poland and its struggle
against Communism. John Paul is presented as a key player in the
overthrow of Communism in Eastern Europe and Russia.
This book offers a review of the
major issues that have concerned the Roman Catholic Church in the past
50 years. The issues of Communism, birth control, ecumenicalism, and
attacks upon the centuries old authority of the papacy and church tradition,
are all treated in this book. You are introduced to the themes of Polish
cultural history, basic Catholic theology, and Vatican politics. The
book seems well researched. The author delves into many issues covered
by previous books on the papacy and refutes previously held ideas.
A strong case is made that this
Slavic Pope was largely responsible for the peaceful overthrow of Communism.
His support for Poland's Solidarity movement along with his visits
to the country helped galvanize resistance to the Moscow backed regime.
Indeed, he did employ nonviolent methods as effectively as anyone,
but the influence of his role will be analyzed and debated for some
time.
Fascinating Personal Insights
Kwitney offers fascinating insights
into the personal life of Karol Wojtyla. By age 21 he was orphaned
and alone. After working in a factory and dabbling in the theater he
decided to enter the priesthood. This decision is presented as a natural
step for an introspective and private individual who was not known
for forming any romantic relationships with the opposite sex. His personal
habits reveal a man of simple tastes who has collected few material
goods through his life. Repeatedly he would give away the gifts of
clothing from friends and continue wearing the used items to which
he was accustomed. He has never had an interest in money or the things
money can buy. A bishop once told a supporter not to hand then Cardinal
Wojtyla any money, which would have gone to some other cause, because
he would not know what to do with it.
