Imagining Argentina

Book Description

Imagining Argentina is set in the dark days of the late 1970's, when thousands of Argentineans disappeared without a trace into the general's prison cells and torture chambers. When Carlos Ruweda's wife is suddenly taken from him, he discovers a magical gift: In waking dreams, he had clear visions of the fates of "the disappeared." But he cannot "imagine" what has happened to his own wife. Driven to near madness, his mind cannot be taken away: imagination, stories, and the mystical secrets of the human spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Nice, at times Compelling, but it rings false.......2005-11-03

As an Argetine who grew up in Europe and in the US as well as in Buenos Aires, I was attracted to this novel, but almost from the first page had a hard time sustaining my suspension of disbelief.

I find it very hard to accept that while Lawrence Thornton's creative imagination may have been captured by the very idea of Argentina --by its beauty, its complexity, and its horror-- he nonetheless did not even find it necessary to actually visit the country where his novel takes place.

I just simply don't understand this! As a writer, research is always fundamental and though some may very well point out that this is a story about "imagining" Argentina, still, in actual fact, the story line itself does not imagine Argentina at all, but actually takes place IN the country, IN the city of Buenos Aires, by an American supposedly living there and by supposedly very Argentine human beings.

Therefore: to start with, right on the very first or second page, he talks of "Calle Cordova" -- a place which does not, in fact, exist or has ever existed. There is an AVENIDA CORDOBA in Buenos Aires, but Calle Cordova is probably in Madrid! Right there, I was pulled away from the story and had a hard time "imagining" what was going on and although it's true that most of the readers for this book will not be Argentines or even people who know Argentina, it still seems silly to write a book about a place, whether mystical or not, and not get your facts right! After all, would a Frenchman write a book about New York depicting the Statue of Liberty as being in Long Island? Or 5th Avenue actually being called "Fif Street"? I think not. And even if there are more people in the world who know New York well enough to check these facts and complain, it still makes no sense. If you write about a subject, check your sources. Actually, the very thing that attracts strangers to the idea of Argentina is its elusiveness, the fact that it is almsot forgotten territory, at the bottom of a continent, and if you do decide to bring it out into the open, then make sure what you're writing is true. You need to at least center your fiction on something real; this is what makes the fictional so compelling. By centering fantasy within reality, the reader can say to himself, well, this COULD have happened, why not?

South American masterminds of fantastical literature, which seems to be Thornton's inspiration, like Garcia Marquez and even Isabel Allende, know their subjects very well and what compells the reader into the fantasy of their fiction is the fact that every detail is perfectly described and easily visuallized, because all these details are true.

(Another point: the flowers in these gardens, such as cyclamen, would be hard to find in a typical Buenos Aires garden!!)

That said, there's a lot to like in this novel, even though the long-winded sentences do sound better in a Spanish language novel than in English. But the voice is at times compelling, the quest is formidable and very human, and the climax, though a bit tepid, is filled with optimism.

Very realistic.......2004-09-23

I wanted to address the comments of people who said this novel was not historically accurate. I write this as an Argentina Human Rigths Activist and the founder of Proyecto Desaparecidos, http://www.desaparecidos.org/arg/ . It's exactly the opposite, reading the story was as if the Ruedas clan had been introduced into a completely real situation. The story starts with a real event, the forced-disappearance of several students who were lobbying for student-priced bus fare. Cecilia, Carlos Ruedas' wife is a journalist with the real-life newspaper La Opinión, the only newspaper (save for English language Buenos Aires Herald) that actually dared to write about the repression and the disappeared at that time. In response, she's disappeared herself (and the account of her disappearance comes straight from the testimonies of such events) and taken to the ESMA where she's tortured and treated in a "typical" manner for the time. In his search for her, Carlos comes into contact with many real-life people, most of whom are given pseudonyms in the book. For example Mario Rabán, alias "Gustavo Santos", is a navy man who in the book infiltrates the families of the disappeared and plans their kidnaping at the Church of the Holy Cross, where they met. In real life, Alfredo Astiz, alias "Gustavo Niño", was a navy man who infiltrated the families of the disappeared and planned their kidnaping at the Santa Cruz Church. Both in the book and real life, Rabán/Astiz also shoots Dagmar Hageling (her real name).

The types of stories told by Carlos about what happened to the disappeared are very realistic, though perhaps there is a greater rate of escapes and liberations in his stories than in real life. Still, most seem to have been taken out of real testimonies. The winding down of the repression, with Amnesty International's and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights' visits are also historical events, as is the eventual trial of the generals.

There a couple of things that are not completely accurate, such as the command line structure at the (real life) secret detention center ESMA, but this is a novel and that type of detail would hinder rather than help the story.

Finally, what I found most amazing was the voice of the narrator and thus of the book itself. It sounded like Argentine Spanish translated into English, so much so, that sometimes I found myself translating back into Spanish for an easier flow. How an American writer can accomplish such a feat is a mystery to me.

Impressive Novel.......2004-01-06

I was assigned Thornton's Imagining Argentina for my International Politics class last semester and dreaded the day that I would have to read the book.

Much to my surprise, Imagining Argentina is a gripping novel about the tortures experienced in Argentina and throughout South America.

Thornton's grasp of Magical Realism is astonishing, especially given his native tongue and land. Thornton shows an obvious study of Spanish and South American literature and manages to evoke the nature of Magical Realism in a book written in English for an American audience.

Read Imagining Argentina. It is a fascinating novel that is impressive in both literary prowess and contemporary political importance.

Simply Magical.......2003-12-19

In this masterfully spun and tragic tale, Lawrence Thronton captures the very essence of the genre of mystical Latin American literature. In an homage to the works of authors like Marques and Allende, the author blends the fantastic and the deadly real, giving the reader a heart wrenching view of Aregentina during the military junta. Thornton, himself not Latin, brings to life the pain and hopelessness of those whose relatives would disapear under the military's rule and who had no one to whom they could turn.

In colorful language that seems to flow off the page and into your heart, he creates a world so real that you feel like you know the depth that these characters suffer. Magical realism can be extremely dificult to write as it often fails to hold the reader. Exactly the opposite is true of this wonderful novel.

"Imagining Argentina": A Book of Passion, Heart and Spirit.......2003-03-21

A brilliant and inspiring novel, Lawrence Thornton's "Imagining Argentina" effectively portrays the turmoil and struggle in Argentina in the 1970's as people were taken from their loved ones by corrupt government officials and became members of "the disappeared". Using exceptional and eloquent writing techniques, Thornton is able to portray a story of love, imagination, despair and most provocatively, faith. Perhaps the most impressive thing about this novel, is its ability to establish a relationship between the reader and the protagonist, Carlos Rueda. So deeply intriguing and stimulating is this central character, that the reader cannot help but communicate with him, by sympathizing the losses of his wife and daughter, understanding his desperation and desperation and inhaling his words of wisdom and bold faith in humanity. The story emphasizes on the theme of faith and the power of the human spirit. Carlos' unbreakable belief in his wife's survival is never tarnished nor questioned, as he able to unite a lost community and bring hope that their loved ones will return someday. The only negative aspects of this novel is that sometimes the book is so plotted out that it feels like you are watching a movie rather than reading a book. The novel also starts off slow but picks up very quickly towards the middle. I highly recommend this novel, "Imagining Argentina" and hope that it moves you just as much as it has moved me.

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Imagining Teachers
Gustavo E. Fischman
Manufacturer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Textbook Binding

General | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Pedagogy | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Women's Studies | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0847691829

Book Description

This book calls for a different understanding of the professional preparation of pre-service teachers, critically reflecting on issues of caring and gender, and challenging the dominance of words only educational research methodologies. Using conceptual tools from visual anthropology, cultural studies, feminism and critical pedagogy, Fischman focuses on the educational dilemmas that students and professors in teacher education programs face within institutions that reinforce, rather than challenge, oppressive class, racial, ethnic, and gender dynamics.

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Imagining Argentina 1ST Edition
Lawrence Thornton
Manufacturer: DOUBLEDAY & CO INC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q0R0SE

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IMAGINING ARGENTINA. A Novel.
Lawrence. Thornton
Manufacturer: Doubleday & Co.,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MZ3XJS

Borges and tango: imagining Argentina.(Jorge Luis Borges): An article from: West Virginia University Philological Papers

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Borges and tango: imagining Argentina.(Jorge Luis Borges): An article from: West Virginia University Philological Papers
Michelle McKay Aynesworth
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000VYWT2C
Release Date: 2007-09-12

Book Description

This digital document is an article from West Virginia University Philological Papers, published by Thomson Gale on September 22, 2006. The length of the article is 2773 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Borges and tango: imagining Argentina.(Jorge Luis Borges)
Author: Michelle McKay Aynesworth
Publication: West Virginia University Philological Papers (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 53 Page: 55(6)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Subverting the Present, Imagining the Future: Insurrection, Movement, Commons

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Subverting the Present, Imagining the Future: Insurrection, Movement, Commons

Manufacturer: Autonomedia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Political | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Subversion is a truly human phenomenon. To subvert means to bring to the surface what is hidden beneath the forms of bourgeois respectability, a respectability in which every human capacity has its price. To subvert is to revolt against any system - economic, political, cultural or religious - where humanity is no more than an object to be manipulated, exploited, and dominated. Against the enclosures of our time, cycles of struggles build new commons of resistance, forming the basis for a new world from the insurgencies against the existing order. To subvert means to be realistic, to demand the impossible.

With Human Autonomy as its Subject, with Dignity as the Purpose of the Human Subject, with Solidarity as the Purpose of Human Subjectivity in Action, this collection examines the socio-historical constitution of capitalism and its dynamic. It analyses the contemporary means of subversion-in-movement, and assesses the trajectory of struggles in the Americas, from Argentina to Mexico, from Bolivia to the United States of America.

Authors include the Midnight Notes Collective, Massimo De Angelis, Werner Bonefeld, Paul Zarembka, Mariarosa Dalla Costa, the Leeds May Day Group, Harry Cleaver, Nick Dyer-Witheford, Stevphen Shukaitis, Ana Dinerstein, George Caffentzis, Conrad Herold, Patrick Cuninghame, and Sergio Tischler.

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Imagining Argentina
Lawrence Thornton
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I2ZNDO

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Imagining Argentina
Lawrence Thorton
Manufacturer: Doubleday & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PHTCF2

Book Description

HAS ENGLAND’S MOST INFAMOUS BRIDE THIEF FINALLY MET HIS MATCH?

At six-and-twenty, Samantha Briggeham knew her marital prospects were fading by the season and she was pleased by the thought. She had no intention of being betrothed–especially against her will–to a man she did not love. She had a plan...and it didn’t include being swept into a pair of powerful arms and spirited away by a masked rider. News of Sammie’s heroic rescue from undesired wedlock turned her into the toast of the ton, wooed by suitors far and wide. But she couldn’t forget the swashbuckling brigand who’d abducted her–something about him intrigued her completely. Then she met Eric Landsdowne, the dashing and seductive Earl of Wesley.

His exploits were legendary, his life filled with danger. He was the elusive Bride Thief, who had his own reasons for helping young women escape the unhappy fate of arranged marriages, and whose true identity was a scrupulously guarded secret. But from the moment he rescued Sammie–only to discover she’d already managed to get herself un-betrothed–Eric knew he couldn’t lose her a second time. Marriage was out of the question. Which left only one option: A clandestine affair that might lead to scandal, social ruin, and the unmasking of a love-bested legend. . .

Customer Reviews:

Fun read that needed a better editor.......2007-08-27

"The Bride Thief " is a sweet story, and quite entertaining. The only reason I did not award the story five stars is the book was in serious need of a better editor. There were inconsistencies in the text, sometimes from one sentence to the following one. The hero, Eric, visits the heroine, Sammie, and expresses interest in her younger brother's new microscope. The next paragraph it's a telescope, and a few paragraphs later it's back to a microscope. It bounces back and forth like that for chapters (as the story progresses further, it becomes obvious that it should have been a telescope all along). While it certainly does not alter the story in a major way, it's a glaring error that should have been caught during the editing process.

Also, there are a few sections of the story that drag where the hero and heroine spend too much puttering about indecisively. If a book is going to be 357 pages long, I expect all 357 pages to be worth reading. I am not interested in sections of "filler".

The plot is a little on the unbelieveable side, but it doesn't stop the story from being a fun read. The characters are likeable (well, most of them are), and are fully fleshed out. I, personally, would have liked more info on the future of the hero's sister Margaret. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.

Poignant and adventurous.......2006-08-20

Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley, had seen first-hand in his own family the devastation wrought by an arranged and loveless marriage. His own loving and kind mother was forced to marry his father, a domineering and cruel taskmaster who thought nothing of abusing her and his children. To further add to his misery, while Eric was away, his only sister, Margaret, was forced into marriage to a callous and abusive viscount whom she despised. His impotence at her plight constantly pained and enraged him so he redirected his rage to a more constructive use: As the notorious Bride Thief.

For five years, the Bride Thief has terrorized England as he snatched up women who were being forced into a loveless marriage. After kidnapping them, he would provide passage elsewhere with enough money to make a new start. It soon becomes a dangerous adventure for Eric as the highly incensed fathers organize themselves into a group called the Bride Thief Posse and offer a substantial reward for his capture.

Eric and Samantha first meet when he kidnaps her the day before her wedding. However, Samantha didn't need saving. She had already convinced her betrothed that she would make a very unsuitable bride for him. Frustrated but also intrigued by her, Eric dutifully takes her back to her family and escapes. He, however, can't stop thinking about her.

His attraction to her leads him to seek her out, to pursue her, to first be a friend and then eventually a lover. But his mind is set on never marrying because of what he witnessed in his family and also because his life has become too dangerous. His growing affection for Samantha, however, will make it harder for him to keep her away and eventually force him to risk it all for love.

I enjoyed this book. It's a wonderful tale of a man who honors his sister by trying to save others in the same predicament she found herself in. The storyline is unusual for that same reason. An idea that a woman has a right to choose her mate is an unusual and revolutionary one in 19th century England where women are nothing more than chattel to be foisted off in a marriage that is no different from a business arrangement. There is nothing that causes it to stand out amongst all other great tales but for its poignancy. Eric's pain is palpable and most acute regarding his sister. Samantha, as well, is a memorable character; stubborn, lively, unusual, brave and loyal. She is not a helpless maiden in constant need of rescue. Rather, she uses her wits to get herself out of scrapes. The story's pace is adequate without any pockets of tedium that will bore you to tears. I'm sure you will enjoy reading this book.

Excellent Regency Romance! .......2006-06-01

I absolutely LOVE this book along with D'Alessandro's other book Red Roses Mean Love. It has the three things that I find crucial in a romance book 1) likeable -if not lovable characters 2) an interesting plot mixed with tension and humor 3)IMPORTANT!- a romantic ending (no - I love you's and thats the end).

I won't regurgitate what others have so well articulated here and I won't give any spoilers, but this is the type of book that you won't be able to put down. The way D'Alessandro writes makes you feel the love lifting off the page. The tension and passion -no its not sleazly in the least- between these too is unbelievable. You will NOT be tempted to skim this book! All the characters are interesting and the subplots too. But Eric and Sammie? Their just beautiful together! ~sigh~

Jump in your car and get The Bride Thief and Red Roses Mean Love right now! Oh and your family shouldn't expect to see you for the next several hours.;)

The Review.......2006-05-12

This book was really amazing and didn't make you think that you were reading some book about this really beautiful girl who always gets the guy. There was a lot of conflict in this book but turned out to make it more exciting. There was one very sexual chapter which may not be sutible for young teens who can't handle it maturely. I was actually not prepared for it becuase I did think it was a young adult book but realized when I reached talk of it that it wasn't, though I feel anyone who is mature can handle it. I became worried at the thought of The Bride Thief getting caught because I felt his cause for doing what he did was very relevent and very heroic. To tell the truth I fell in love Eric as the story continued. I suggest this book for all.

"Loved the Book So Much" .......2006-03-11

LOVED IT SO MUCH!!! - Choua Xiong

This was the greatest book ever. I couldn't put it down and reread it at least five times now. It is so funny and I loved all the characters. Eric was my favorite character because of his heroic intentions and his dangerous ways. He was a lovable character, as was Sammy.

Samantha was a woman who wanted nothing to do with marriage, and when she hears that her father has betrothed her to an old - and I mean literally old - gentleman and friend of her family's, she sets out to break her engagement with him.

Eric, the Earl of Wesley, aka the Bride Thief hears about the young woman and her unwanted engagement. So he goes and tries to rescue her, plucking her from the ground, and onto his horse. He rides to a hidden cottage only to find out that she has already taken care of the matter herself, and he does the one thing that he has never done before. He lets her go!

Later on in the story, they meet again, and Eric can't stop thinking about Sammy. They fall in love, however Eric still holds his secret identity from her. What will happen if she finds out? Read and find out!!!

The Bride Thief (Harlequin Historical, 373)

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The Bride Thief will Steal Your Heart
Love and Jealousy
The Bride Thief

The Bride Thief (Harlequin Historical, 373)
Susan Spencer Paul
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

Harlequin Historicals | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

Regency | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373289731

Customer Reviews:

The Bride Thief will Steal Your Heart.......2002-06-20

This follows the story of another Baldwin brother from the Bride's Portion" and "The Heiress Bride" only this is Justin's story. He was always sombre and so very serious growing up it was a delight to see him become so assertive and steal away Isabelle Gaillard after he had fell under her spell when courting her cousin Evelyn.

Justin was not stupid and only courted Evelyn whom he had seen was manipulative because it was the only way he could keep seeing Isabelle. He stole her away and brought her to his small holding Talwar.

Isabelle, had fallen in love with Justin the moment she had laid her eyes on him. He was different than most of the men courting her beautiful cousin but she had never hoped that he would even notice her. Her life was something akin to a Cinderella - the poor relation kept only to serve her relations.

The story was superb, as I've found all of Ms. Pauls bride books to be. Each book stands on its own, and this one does splendidly. Both Isabelle and Justin had only to believe in their good fortune in believing in each other. This book had all the elements one comes to expect from Ms. Paul - couldn't put it down. Find it at all costs and enjoy the superb work of this author.

Love and Jealousy.......2000-10-06

The Bride Thief is a story of love and jealousy. It shows the power of true love and the evils of jealousy. Isabelle can't believe Justin would want her as his wife instead of the rich and beautiful Evelyn, but he does. She is kidnapped and taken to Talwar with him where everything is fine until Evelyn shows up. Her extreme jealousy of Isabelle and wanting of Justin wreak havoc on Talwar.

This book has some slow parts in it but I loved it anyway. Especially when Evelyn shows up at Talwar claiming to be a changed woman. The love between Justin and Isabelle was written well. Their love story was a make-you-feel-good story. The character of Evelyn was written well also. The things she did were outrageous. I think the author did an excellent job of bringing to life on the pages the jealousy and evilness of Evelyn.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction, a love story, or a villianess.

The Bride Thief.......2000-04-04

Like in the First two Baldwin books, the bride is kidnapped again. This one is Isobella Gillard, and the youngest Baldwin, Justin. Isobella finds this is not funny and that anyone would want her. But Justin does. The only problem is selfed-center cousin, and her mean father want to keep Isobella's skills for them self. It is a wonderful addition to the Bride Triology.

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The Bride Thief

Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739424513

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The Bride Thief (Harlequin Historical, 373)
Susan Spencer Paul
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OWHFU2

Amazon.com

Babylon 5 is a rarity among SF TV series in having a thoroughly worked out future history, even if parts of that history are only hinted at on TV. Which is where this novel comes in. Based on an original outline by series creator J. Michael Straczynski and following Dark Genesis: The Birth of the Psi Corps, it is the second novel of a trilogy detailing the history of the Psi Corps. Yet it is sufficiently self-contained to be accessible to readers unfamiliar with B5.

The book chronicles the life of the Psi Corps Alfred Bester from boyhood to the dramatic events that will first take him to the eponymous space station. As befits the show, Deadly Relations is complex and well characterized, aware of SF history, and filled with fascinating background detail. J. Gregory Keyes portrays Bester's paradoxical nature: a man haunted and lonely, able to read the thoughts of others, and capable of betraying those closest to him out of a sense of duty to the greater good. A sinister, ruthless figure becomes a sympathetic, almost tragic antihero as the book ranges from Earth to the Beta Colony and Mars.

The fictional Alfred Bester had a real-life namesake who authored several major SF novels. These include the still extraordinary 1953 thriller of murder and psychic detection, to which Deadly Relations pays due homage. If you enjoy B5, try The Demolished Man by the original Alfred Bester. It's a genuine SF classic. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

The child of their greatest heroes--
he was destined to become their darkest enemy . . .

In the twenty-second century, the discovery of human telepaths led to terror and bloodshed, and to the creation of the Psi Corps--a government agency of elite telepaths who were used to control their own kind. Under the command of a power-mad politician, the Corps became a ruthless tool of oppression, and the telepath underground was formed.

Matthew and Fiona Dexter led the resistance to its greatest victories. But when they were martyred for the cause, their only child was claimed by the very forces they had died opposing.

Raised from infancy within the Psi Corps, Alfred Bester was a telepath of exceptional ability, determined to make his mark by transforming himself into a master of deceit. Schooled in hate but tormented by shards of conscience, he wrestled with the seductiveness of the sinister cause he served. But slowly stripped of humanity by the war between decency and betrayal, he surrendered his soul--and rose to become the most dreaded figure of his time . . .

Book Two in the gripping new epic trilogy that uncovers the secret history of the Psi Corps.

Customer Reviews:

Very Complete Background on Bester.......2007-09-26

If you wanna know why Bester is the way he is, this book will tell you. You might even feel sorry for him at times, and will see things from his -twisted- point of view. If you liked Babylon 5 and particularly the Psi Corps episodes, I guarantee you're going to like it!

Bestor backstory.......2005-08-01

Reading the background of a complex character is very interesting. Monsters do not see themselves as monsters because they had their own very good reasons for doing what they did. Knowing the reasons they did things make them more real, and less a monster. I would have given this book a 5 star rating on content and story but I took a point away because of some technical writing errors. Any fan of B5 would enjoy this book.

The history lesson continues........2004-02-23

This book, based on an outline from Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski (so you know it's official), covers the period in B5's history detailing the early life of Psi Cop Alfred Bester, from his first years being raised by Psi Corps right up to before his first visit to the Babylon 5 station.

There were revelations abound in this book, including details of Bester's first love, Lyta Alexander's internship with the Psi Cops, and just how Bester's hand became crippled. Let's just say, it's a big surprise.

The book also gives a greater look into the Bester character and after reading it you start to understand his motives for the things that he does both here and during the B5 series. Highly recommended.

Understanding Bester.......2004-01-03

After reading this book, now I have a better insight "why Bester is who he is". The book explained the motives of BEster, give me a better understanding of the great series of Babylon 5.

I used to hated Bester almost as much as Ivanova, but after reading this book, I feel pity for Bester, and I can understand his point of views

Not bad. Interesting storyline........2002-11-12

This book offers some background information on Bester.

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Deadly Relations Bester Ascendant
J. Gregory Keyes
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OV792M

Book Description

Aidan Nichols' timely book is the first full-scale investigation of Joseph Ratzinger's theology in its development from the 1950s to the present day.

It presents a chronological account of the development of Ratzinger's writing which reflects a wide range of historical and theoretical interests such as: Augustine's ecclesiology; early Franciscanism and the idea of salvation history; Christian brotherhood; the unfolding of the Second Vatican Council; commenting on the Apostles' Creed; explorations of the concept of the Church; preaching, liturgy and Church music; eschatology; the foundations of dogmatic and moral theology; the Church and politics; ecumenism, and the problem of pluralism. This book is a comprehensive introduction to a figure who is in his own right, quite apart from his significance in the politics of the Church, a major German Catholic theologian of the twentieth century.

This new edition provides an amplification of the existing chapters by reference to books and articles produced by Joseph Ratzinger between 1986/1987 and his election as Pope in 2005. This is especially important in the area of the Liturgy, where his 1999 study 'The Spirit of the Liturgy' takes further his critique of contemporary Western Catholic worship and his call for a new liturgical movement which would aim to 'reform the Reform'.

Nichols also includes two wholly new chapters devoted to (a) Ratzinger's writings on Judaism, Islam and other religions, as well as (b) secularization and the future of Europe.

Customer Reviews:

Praise for Aidan Nichols.......2005-07-02

Nichols has written yet another fine work, this time on the theological thought of Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Written in the late 1980s, Nichols does not go into much of Ratzinger's work as head of the CDF, a Roman congregation whose purpose it is to defend and clarify the Faith. However, he does go thoroughly into Ratzinger's pre-conciliar work, his work at the Second Vatican Council, and his work in Germany afterwards. An absolutely wonderful book; it gives the reader less of a biography of Ratzinger and more an overview of those things which have influenced the way he thinks. A must-read.

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