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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but not explosive, March 19, 2001
Altogether, I found this to be a good but somewhat disappointing work. Written after the Vatican's publication of the third secret of Fatima in 2000, the book jacket refers to the controversy and doubts that still linger and poses the question, "What is the Vatican trying to hide?" Well, apparently, nothing. I don't want to spoil the story for future readers of this book, but I must say I was somewhat surprised to learn that the author pretty much accepts the authenticity of the Vatican's recent announcement. I am sure, though, that the more sensational references on the cover were the product of the publisher's marketing scheme and not that of the author. I do not mean to say that the book promises something that it does not deliver. Hesemann does give a fairly good description of the Fatima visions and provides a good background and assessment of the three prophecies. For myself, there just wasn't as much in this book as I would have wished. This is a very quick read, largely because the author, for the most part, does not go in to great detail. As a result, the force of his story and the impact of his conclusions is weakened. For example, I just cannot get overly enthusiastic about his contention that the efforts of Pope John Paul II (especially in terms of finally acceding to the Virgin Mary's 1917 request at Fatima to consecrate Russia) was largely responsible for the collapse of Communism. Basically, this book is interesting and worth reading if you have some interest in the subject, but it is certainly not required reading for either New Age or Christian readers. There's really not much to get excited about here for either side. As an aside, I have to wonder what a Roman Catholic would think after reading this book--I've known one Catholic in my whole life , so the basic material of this book consists of concepts and traditions that I (coming from a Southern Baptist background) have little or no personal knowledge of.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exzellent Reading! Fascinating Subject!!, December 13, 2000
I read this book in one night. I couldn't stop. It's a mindboggling trip into a world we too easily ignore. To me it proved that God indeed is watching us, cares for us and intervenes into our history. Hesemann is an excellent writer and he takes you on a guided tour through the fascinating world of miracles and apparitions, mystics and secret messages, deep into the most secret vaults of the Vatican. Does the fearsome 3rd Secret, published by the Vatican in June, indeed refers only to the past, is it indeed only symbolic? Hesemann doubts that - with good reasons. I hope he is wrong but I am afraid he isn't... this book concerns all of us!!
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22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
The Fatima Secret, July 13, 2002
By A Customer
This book was a total waste of time and money. It basically goes over what is already known about the story of the three children that had the Fatima experience and then largely disappoints the reader by making suggestions why the Pope chose to tell the version of the third prophecy he did. I do not normaly write reviews about books, but this book was such a let down, that I felt I should. The cover leads the reader into thinking they will learn something new, or unknown about the third prophecy, but they don't. Save your time and money and don't buy this book.
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