Customer Reviews

Stories of Karol: The Unknown Life of John Paul II

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I received this book as a Christmas gift. It was amazing. It does read as more of a history book but does a wonderful job illustrating how Pope John Paul II was directly affected by WWII and the holocaust and how be came to receive God's calling.

The stories and trials of the young man who would be Pope were remarkable. I could not put it down. Read the book in a day and re-read most of it the following day. It was wonderful to understand why John Paul II was so darn passionate about human rights and the unborn. Unfortuately, our modern school curricula do not spend nearly enough time on the hardships endured under Communism and Nazism. This book will give you a first hand insight into how both political systems tormented young Karol for caring about his country and the Jewish people.

Because I had seen the Hallmark Channel's production of the early years of John Paul II and was frustrated by my inability at that time to obtain a copy, I went looking for the book. It is a very fast read, very hard to put down. A wonderful experience if you are intersted in the events that helped to form John Paul II's huumanity. You are able to learn about his personal life as a child and the tragic events that led him to his decision to enter the priesthood. An excellent first book for those wanting to know more or for anyone wanting to start at the beginning of the life of this incredible human being.

I purchased this book hoping to get little glimpses into the life of Pope John Paul II before he became Pope. What I got was the story of Poland during WW II. Very, very disappointing.