Prison journals of a priest revolutionary [Hardcover]

Philip Berrigan (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 198 pages
• Publisher: Holt, Rinehart and Winston; 1st edition (1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030845130
• ISBN-13: 978-0030845130
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The conscience of the Nation, December 26, 2002

By 

Alan Mills (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Prison journals of a priest revolutionary (Hardcover)

Philip Berrigan was a decorated WWII vet who became one of the most influential anti-war activists (most notoriously for burning draft records as part of the Catonsville Nine).

These early prison journals of Father Berrigan set out in detail his non-violent, christian revolutionary perspective on this country in the early 70's. He covers everything from the Vietnam War to the Civil Rights movement, to the hypocrasy of the Catholic Church, to the problems with our criminal justice system.

While now 30 years old, Father Berrigan's writings remain relevent today. His challenge to the Catholic Church is particularly apt, as the Church today is being shaken to its foundations by allegations of sexual abuse.

His challenge to the war mentality which rules so much of America's foreign policy rings true as applied to the current debate over invasion of Iraq.

While many disagreed with Father Berrigan, the world could surely use more principled voices, willing to dedicate their lives to asking the rest of us if we are not abandoning sanity in order to fulfill our visions of the "good life." His untimely death this Fall has deprived us all of a much needed voice urging peace.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GOD BLESS PHILLIP BERRIGAN, June 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Prison Journals of a Priest Revolutionary (Paperback)

I was shocked to hear he died fall 2002! We need more folks as steadfast and true to their beliefs! here's to a true patriot and a friend; god bless you and we hope you don't find heaven too boring.
back to the book review; if you are interested in the story of phillip berigan's life this book is a good place to start. it covers the early years of his political struggle. for many questioning authority in today's world; you are sure to find it truly inspirational. a fast read, but a deep one. you are also sure to want to re read it from time to time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EPITOME OF PRIESTHOOD AND AMERICAN PROPHET NOW PASSED AWAY HERE PROUDLY PROCLAIMS JESUS'S GOSPEL OF PEACE, November 15, 2007

By 

C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" (among us humans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prison Journals of a Priest Revolutionary (Paperback)

"How can we serve both love and war? The fact is that we can't."

During an early US invasion and occupation of Spanish colonial and Mexican territories, Henry David Thoreau was thrown in jail for refusing to pay the war tax. A friend came and asked him what he was doing in there. He in turn asked what his friend was doing out there.

Father Phillip Berrigan here asks us the same. In this time of merciless and wasteful war, why do we not courageously, correctly serve the Prince of Peace as we proposed in our Baptism? Can we really serve two masters and not get noticed?

The other five star reviews here adequately cover the territory and I can only add my voice to theirs, hopefully without redundancy.

Forbidden access to a typewriter in prison, and allowed to write to only a select short list of relatives, including his brother the Reverend Father Daniel Berrigan SJ, because he had dared submit for publication a few articles early in his imprisonment, while then later out on bail and appeal he taped interviews regarding his experiences in the US system of injustice. Vincent McGee here edits those tapes and articles into a spiritual unity for our lectio divina.

Father Phillip Berrigan, who went on to spend much of the rest of his life in prison as well for his Plowshares Actions beating nuclear warheads with hammers, fills us with strength and solace as we realize the need now to act as courageously, as evangelically, for peace and justice, as Jesus driving the money changers from the Temple, although it led to His own arrest and execution by the Empire and other powers.

Read this book and read it once more. Walk with Father Phillip Berrigan through this passion for the living Christ, Prince of Peace, and see how we must also now take up our Cross and walk the hard narrow path to Peace.

Please see as well the Reverend Father John Dear's own Peace Behind Bars: A Peacemaking Priest's Journey from Jail and the further works from the brave Brother Berrigan, including To Dwell in Peace: An Autobiography.