Customer Reviews

The Struggle is One

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In the 25 years I have taught liberation theology I have used many books. This is both the most digestible and the most faithful introduction to what at root is a movement of theological and scriptural reflection among the poor of Latin America. Mev Puleo's carefully selected set of interviews and first-person narratives of Brazilian churchworkers, ministers and scholars gives the lie to most of the ill-informed criticisms of liberation theology as "Marxist" or "played-out," and shows both the intelligence and the compassion of those who have fought their way out of oppression and into liberation through listening carefully to the words of scripture and the voices of their own consciences. Their words challenge and prick our consciences too. Fifteen years old, the book is as fresh as ever.

Though now quite dated, this remains one of my favorite books about liberation theology. The author, now so sadly deceased, managed to capture the essence of the LT movement - and moment - through her perceptive interviews with some of the most famous names in LT. What was also excellent was her inclusion of less famous figures. Above all Ms Puleo's pictures capture the hope of her subjects. OK, so its not a grand theological synthesis; nor does it 'advance the discipline' - what is does is give a revolutionary moment human faces. Every now and then I go back to this book, I think of all the viciousness in the world now [a US president out of control,the IMF/WTO/WB/G8 and the rest who impoverish the Two Thirds World etc etc] and remind myself that we had hope...Perhaps there is new hope too,now [not least as Latin America moves leftwards]. BUT, who are the new liberation theologians of the new world disorder? And who will write as eloquently of them as Mev Puleo did?