Customer Reviews

Milestones: Memoirs, 1927-1977

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cardinal Ratzinger's memoirs are brief and pleasant enough to read easily in one sitting. They are full of interesting biographical background that conjures a picture of family and professional life full of simple joys and of earnest intellectual pursuit of the truth. It is a refreshing and inspiring picture given the prevalence of cynicism and nihilism in our modern Western societies. His vignettes once again demonstrate that simplicity of life is the best route to lasting joy.

But in addition to the personal, we also have insight into the theological and cultural currents in the Church from the end of the Second World War into the late seventies. Especially interesting is Ratzinger's view of the Second Vatican Council from within and how destructive forces have exploited the Council in ways unimaginable to the Council Fathers. The other related facet is the frank portrayal of the ongoing conflict within the Church-- a conflict between those who accept the revelation of the living God given in both Scripture and Tradition always necessarily together (and never apart), and those who wish to remake the Church into an essentially agnostic society whose beliefs fluctuate with the latest academic fads. This book makes a perfect introduction to Cardinal Ratzinger's theological works.

In "Milestones" Ratzinger, the Cardinal, allows us a little glimpse at the soul of Joseph, the man. Yes, there truly is a human individual behind the persona which catches the headlines; and not always in the most favorable of lights. This brief, interesting, easily read 150+ pages shows us a man who loves and is loved by a family with encounters, some normal and others not so due to the times in which lived. We are permitted to see a man, priest, scholar making decisions based sometimes upon very ordinary and personal considerations.

"Milestones" in a quite simple way ties together some great Catholic, theological thought represented by the individuals who walked across the stage of the Cardinal's life; Rahner, Kung, de Lubac, Congar, von Balthasar, Danielou, Bouyer, et alii. Individuals some of whom I have met only in their works were his contemporaries. I find it interesting that this present papacy reflects the theology of not only John Paul II himself but of that of the likes of de Lubac, Congar, von Balthasar, etc.; theological currents with an appreciation for Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Fathers of the Church. And in its midst is a man comfortably familiar with it all, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

The book includes a selection of illustrations which give it a very warm and inviting setting. We see the Cardinal not only in his official capacities but also in some very personal moments with family and friends.

"Milestones" is a simple but important introduction to a man who, one suspects, is far more than just Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. At its end it leaves one wanting more.

Without hesitation, I give "Milestones" a five star recommendation.

This book was wonderful to read and have a sense of the author's personal experience from childhood, living under the Nazi's and Communists, becoming a Priest, Bishop, and Cardinal. The focus is not so much theology but that comes into focus at various times as the author describes his involvement with pre-Vatican II events , the Council itself and the aftermath. It is very insightful for anyone wishing to have a overall picture of the process of the Vatican council and the theological processes that were there at war with each other. Great way to get a picture of the mind of Cardinal Ratzinger.

"I have carried my load to Rome and have now been wandering the streets of the Eternal City for a long time. I do not know when I will be released, but one thing I do know: that the exclamation applies to me too: "I have become your donkey (In terms of bearing loads, not of foolishness), and in just this way I am with you."--Pope Benedict XVI

After Pope Benedict was elected I of course wanted to read some of his writings, I figured his memoirs was the best place to start. I have to say it was a very very brief, but engaging read. Having seen him characterized over and over while cardinal as a hard and unfeeling person, it's amusing to see just how sensitive he actually is, and to see his very human faults as well as his strengths. It also clarifies much of the rumors that have built up around him, particularly in the days of World War II.

I really loved this book, my only complaint was that the photo montage was a little too long, because many of the pictures are the same picture from various angles.

I highly recommend it as a first stepping stone in getting to know Pope Benedict XVI

With the elevation of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the papacy this year, the Roman Catholic Church has not only elevated an experienced bureaucrat, but a theologian of the first rank. I've been reading a swath of Ratzinger's books, but I decided to start with his memoirs to get a better understanding of "Ratzinger the man."

Ratzinger was born into a Catholic and anti-Nazi family in Germany near the Austrian border. At the end of World War II he was drafted into the German army, but deserted. He was invited to the Second Vatican Council in the 60s. Even if he hadn't become a confidant to JP II, he would have been seen as one of the more important Catholic theologians of the century. (For example, his INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIANITY was translated into English in 1969.)

This book covers Ratzinger's life up to the time he was named bishop in 1977. Ratzinger's studies and career intersected with many of the most important names in Catholic theology, such as Michael Schmaus, Hans Kung, Romano Guardini, Karl Rahner and Hans Urs von Balthasar. The book makes for pleasant reading, but if you take out the photos, it's only 115 pages long.

What I found most interesting was that in a couple of places Ratzinger hints that his career advancement was delayed because certain (unnamed) church officials and theologians suspected he was something of a liberal. If Ratzinger doesn't want to name names, at least he could tell us what the controversy was about. Inquiring minds want to know.

A small book in which one can meet a good, kindly and intelligent man. Also here the reader can encounter some of the theological and political forces that shaped his present world view.

The book has been around since 1997 but the last paragraph of the book is especially touching in the light of his recent election as pope. The, then, Cardinal recounts the story of a bear who is forced to carry the load of St. Corbinian's beast of burden which the bear had earlier torn to pieces. He goes on to say: "It is said of Corbinian that, once in Rome, he released the bear to freedom. The legend is not concerned about whether it went up into the Arbuzzi or returned to the Alps. In the meantime I have carried my load to Rome and have been wandering the streets of the Eternal City for a long time. I do not know when I will be released, but one thing I do know: that exclamation applies to me too: "I have become your donkey, and in just this way am I with you."

It is hard no to be compelled by Cardinal Ratzinger's (and now pope Benedict XVI) memories. Here is a man that was born in a small german village from a modest family and who was, since the beginning very moved by his spirituality. This was not an easy task, to preserve one's moral and spiritual integrity in nazi Germany. But Ratzinger went through it and turned out to be a priest, dedicating the best os his intelectual gifts to God. His theologic achievements are quite remarkable, especially his criticism to the deterioration of moral values in the west outside the framework of christianity. Is it possible that liberal democracy could emanate, by itself a system o ethical and moral values without the substract of religion? The point is interesting and is only glimpsed at this little book. The reader wants more, but this thirst can be quenched by other of Ratzinger's books. In any case, these memories finish a long time ago, in 1977, when Ratzinger moved to Rome. Probably a very interesting period of his life evolved in these subsequent years (his friendship with Wojtila, his work at the Vatican etc) and for this part the reader is left with his own imagination. In any case, it is a very interesting experience, to be introduced to pope Benedict XVI, the man, through these pages.

I was expecting this book to be a tough read and I passed it up for years but it's not dry or scholarly at all. In fact, parts of it are actually entertaining. Joseph, then Cardinal Ratzinger writes with reticence, brevity and gentle humor about his boyhood years to 1977. His earliest memories were happy but even as a little boy he was aware that serious things were happening in Berlin. At first it was just something that adults argued about, then it became a subject which visibly depressed his father and then suddenly the principal at his school, who did not like the Nazis, was fired. The family moved to a quieter more out of the way village but the war followed them there and took over their lives. Cardinal Ratzinger tells this part of the story in a highly controlled way almost flat way. The only emotion that seeps through is when he describes with obvious disgust how in the waning days of the war, fanatics took him and his classmates out of high school and sent them across the country to be junior soldiers.

As for the humor, flashes of it are numerous. Among them is his description of how much he, the quiet and probably, pampered youngest child in his family hated it when he had to go a school where gym class was held every day and lasted for two hours. Later we read his pithy remarks on the rotten typist who almost botched his dissertation and the people who accused him of being a modernist as a young professor.

This is really a surprising and sometimes sweet glimpse at the Pope's long ago life.

Awesome!

What is truly wonderful about this book is that you "hear it from the horses mouth." Unlike the Q&A format that the later quasi-biographical/introspective books conducted by journalist interviewers, Ratzinger writes this book in his own words.

I first picked this book up shortly after he was elected Supreme Pontiff (as I am sure many other have). I wanted to know what this man thought and said as he saw fit to publish. I was not disappointed. Reading this work led me to pick up almost every other one of his published books (including his dissertation in English) to learn more about the theology of Joseph Ratzinger.

My only negative comment is that the chronology ends with 1977. My only fear is that, now as Pope, Benedict will not be able to find the time to write Volume II: 1977-20??.

I highly recommend this book! A Must-Read!

Like most people, I read this book, to see what the new Pope had to say about his own life. This book is most interesting when he talks of his childhood. Once he goes off to his theological studies, it's less so. The biggest drawback is that the book was written years ago, it stops at 1977. What we would have loved was to have a memoir encompassing his years with JPII and as the Prefect. Considering the very moving speech he gave at JPII's funeral, I would have loved to read something about those years. I truly hope he will have time to put those down.