Customer Reviews

Miracles of Mary: Apparitions, Legends, and Miraculous Works of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

 

 

This beautiful book is a nice, but not exhaustive, compilation of the various miracles of the Virgin Mary. I liked how Durham grouped the miracles by theme, and I find it interesting that he himself is not Catholic. The quality of the illustrations is very good, and the depictions of Mary are from all around the world, from old-master paintings (Caravaggio, El Greco) to New World sculptures and paintings (including work from Peru, Mexico, Canada). I do wish that the book had illustrations of the things it spoke of, for example, at the point where The Black Madonna of Czestochowa, Poland was discussed, I would have liked to have had that image right there. However, I really did enjoy this book as it had such a great collection of Marian images.

This book is mainly a collection of various apparitions of Mary. It covers widely known apparitions such as Lourdes, Fatima, and Guadaloupe as well as less familiar ones. This book, I would say, is an introduction for those who want to study Marian apparitions in depth. It briefly summarizes the accounts, and provides SOME testimony from the visonaries themselves. The best part of the book, I think, is the beautiful artwork of Mary through the ages that are shown on every other page.

I am not Catholic and therefore had never heard the miraculous stories of our Mother Mary. This book left me wanting more.

This certainly is a gorgeous volume, splendidly illustrated and feeling luxurious to the fingers, with the thick, cream-colored bond paper and all. However, given the generally high tenor of the reviews, I expected the book to offer rather more by way of investigation. It failed me miserably in that department, instead offering little more than a collection of anecdotes and historical backdrop paintings, however charmingly conveyed. I keep asking myself, for instance, what was _truly_ done to tear apart the "miracle" of Zeitoun and determine whether it was fully on the up-and-up? If the events were so incredible that hundreds of thousands stood shell-shocked in the street getting neck aches, why was coeval mention thereof restricted to the occasional news footnote? (Can I trust Cairene policemen to conduct a state-of-the-art investigation of the same caliber that I might expect from, say, the FBI?) I was directed to this volume with a hearty, "Aha! finally!" but I ended up ultimately disappointed.

The numerous miracles that Mama Mary has done further strengthen my Catholic faith. She made us feel that the Lord is always there. The author was able to convey to us the love and gift of the Lord. He made use of art pieces which made the book more beautiful . He made use not only of master artist but as well as contemporary ones.

The most important gift this beautiful book gives to one with an open mind/heart is the overwhelming conviction of the reality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Spiritual World--of God's active interest and intervention in our every day life, for all peoples. Apparitions are described in places as diverse as Ecuador, Japan, the United States, and more, from the 500's up to the 1990's. Indeed, Mary is our ever present, ever-loving Mother, continuing the work of her Son in sheperding the poor, uneducated, simple humble folk and children so dear to Him in his earthly life.

Yes, as other reviewers have noted, it is a survey only, but the reader who wants to learn more need only Google for more info--I was delighted to learn about scores of appearances of the Blessed Virgin I would never even have known to investigate further, and the 15 or so friends have shared this with feel the same way. When we finish reading a section that we like, we just Google the site, or the visionaries names, for more info. In this way, it truly serves as a sourcebook. (He also gives a great bibliography in back for those who want more in depth reading (which I am planning to use as a purchase guide.)

This book well deserves the five stars it consistently gets. The author, although as others have said is not avowedly religious, keeps his ego entirely out of sight and delights the reader with page after page of heart melting and soul uplifting sweetness.

An excellent book for those just starting to explore of topic of Marian Apparitions. It has a good selection of myths, stories and verifiable facts surrounding some of the more famous stories about Mary's appearances on earth since the death of Christ.

The gorgeous paintings in this book aptly convey the esteem in which we Catholics hold Mary. The stories of the miracles were beautifully told, and reminded me of all the magic of those catechism hours. I don't think you have to be Catholic to enjoy this volume . . . remember, Mary and Jesus both were Jewish. This would be a thoughtful gift to anyone who appreciates beauty and spirtuality. I hope there's another volume soon, since I'm sure there are so many more parables and paintings that deserve to be heard and seen.

The book is truly lovely, a really well written and well illustrated volume. The stories are concise, interesting, and told with great detail. The artwork is excellent, this book is a treasure

Stay away from any writing or anything pertaining
to the Virgin Mary. She is a false mediator.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name [the LORD Jesus Christ]under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto
the Father, but by Me." John 14:6