POPE JOHN XXIII

The uniquely human qualities of the reigning Pontiff, John XXIII, make him an appealing subject for a biography, and the publishers have responded accordingly. Their presses have turned out so many in a short time that it is difficult to imagine what can be said that hasn't been sail before. This extensively illustrated attempt at a new biography is an over sentimentalized interpretation of the life of the peasant's son who became a Pope. It is written in the style of lives of saints of old in which the hero does everything well. Perhaps because of his humble beginnings, little was available about his early years. To fill in the gaps, it is evident that the author has drawn on the opinions of people ""who remember the Pope when"", and who embellish their stories accordingly. Pope John XXIII certainly will get a chuckle out of learning about some of his achievements particularly when he was a youngster as described here. This great Pope deserves better treatment than given in this biography. It is short, however, and there are pictures.