This is a very detailed diplomatic history of the causes, international ramifications, and results of the Italo-Turkish war over Lybia and the Dodecanese islands. Very little information regarding the war itself is given as this is almost exclusively a diplomatic history.

Italy, a second rate power still smarting from their defeat in Ethiopia, used the French extension of power in Morocco as cover to invade Ottoman-held Lybia under the flimsiest pretenses. Quickly controlling the coastal regions, Italy soon found itself in a military and diplomatic stalemate with the Ottomans in the Lybian hinterland. Great Power indifference lead to an expansion of the war to the Aegean and a temporary closing of the Straits. It was only the beginning of the First Balkan War which threatened Ottoman possessions in Europe which hastened the Porte to the bargaining table.

The internal politics at Constantinople and Rome are both thoroughly discussed as background to the diplomatic maneuverings of both nations. These are particularly interesting given the turbulent situation in the Ottoman government at the time. Turkey's future alliance with the Central Powers and the Italian government's predilection towards fascism have their roots in the events of this period. Italy's schizophrenic diplomatic stance with Turkey (robbing them in North Africa while propping them up in Europe) is fully explored. Diplomatic archives from both Turkey and Italy have been thoroughly utilized by the author. Primary sources from the foreign ministries of the Great Powers are also used to show Europe's reaction to this war. Secondary sources such as political memoirs give the main actors' apologia for their actions and Europe's subsequent death spiral into the Great War.

This is a fascinating and detailed rendering of what second and third rate power diplomacy was like at the end of the Concert of Europe.

I read first read this book in its orignal edition nearly eight years ago following a workshop by E. Timothy Burns. While the writing itself is average, the content and the weaving of human aspect that creates resilient children is elegantly and simply presented. Having loaned (many times) and finally lost my original copy, I am getting myself another! This is both an inspirational and referential text. It is a little gem I have gone too long without. Any family with children, anyone working with children or adult-children, or those called upon to opine about growing up in an often harsh world should read, keep, reread, and reference this book. It is, as I have said, a little gem.

B. Groeschel's attempt to analyze and propose solutions to the clergy sexual abuse disaster falls far short in both content and presentation. It's poorly written and ill-informed, insulting both the reader's intelligence and the gravity of the situation with pat, predictable "answers." As in the case of most of Groeschel's books, there is a smattering of humor, but here it is entirely out of place. Of course, he blames the usual suspects and even throws in a few more (such as the trend of people dressing "down" for Mass. Come on)! What Groeschel ultimately wants, it seems, (though his confused style makes it hard to discern) is a "ghetto" Church (and at one point he actually defends this desire). But really, he's not worth arguing with in this book, given its slapdash and erratic meanderings. It's simply NOT worth reading. Try George Weigel's "The Courage to be Catholic" or, better, Donald Cozzens' "Sacred Silence."

While erudite and witty, this account of the current crisis in the Catholic Church, betrays objectivity by attempting to pin all ills related to this crisis on laxed seminary formation and an increasingly permissive Western society.

That may be so. But in the opinion of this reader (and of most Americans) the larger part of this crisis lies in the dereliction of duty and outright cover up practiced by US Bishops and the Roman Curia.

Indeed, key questions such as Why doesn't the Catholic Church come clean about this matter by opening its files to civil authorities?, Why haven't more bishops, who have been found guilty of such cover ups followed Bernard Law in resigning? and Is there a need for laity and other groups within the Church, not only to express their displeasure, but to demand a place at the decision-making table? are almost ignored.

Sadly, the one prescription that is repeated at infinitum in the book, namely more orthodoxy, seems to reflect Groeschel's own desired medicine than what is truly needed in the mind of this reader, namely MUCH MORE accountability on the part of church leaders.

Gustavo A. Bujanda
Dallas, Texas.

Father Groeschel has written a small book that is not difficult to read; but for its brevity and simplicity, it is remarkably perceptive.

Father Groeschel cuts straight to the heart of the matter: the Church (especially in the United States) needs reform - or, perhaps better, renewal. The Church needs to get back to the basics and to be true to the mission given to Her by Jesus Christ. For too long, members of the Church have allowed themselves to be influenced by the spirit of the world. As a very sad result, the Church is now afflicted by an all-too-worldly scandal.

One may be surprised that the author doesn't spend more time talking about the responsibility of the bishops. I maintain that most of the book deals indirectly with the bishops. If seminary formation has been lax or irresponsible since Vatican II, the bishops are the ones who have allowed it to happen.

Yet Father Groeschel manages to avoid condemning anyone. He acknowledges that even he had been caught up in the worldly spirit that has been so prevalent in the Church. His answer is to point to the examples of great saints whose personal holiness helped to bring about great renewals when the Church faced troubled times in the past.

This is not a complete or comprehensive account of the scandals, their causes, or the solutions. It is, however, a good place to begin looking for answers about how the scandals could have happened or how they can be overcome.