This book summarises and completes all of western thought on the body for the last 500 years. Fr. Ashley's breadth and sheer genius cannot be praised highly enough. For the serious thinker of any denomination or of none, this book will convince you of God's design for man and the human body. It is a natural law tour de force.

Benedict Kiely, born in Co. Tyrone and now living in Dublin for over 60 years, turned 80 in August 1999. "There Was an Ancient House" tells the story of a young man's struggle with other novices trying to conform to the religious life. Kiely, Ireland's finest novelist, writes with humor, honesty and clear, lyrical prose. It is a classic novel.

Note: This "review" is the only way I can find to communicate with you that Ben (a great friend) has just had published two new books:

"The Waves Behind Us" (Metheun) is the second volume of his memoirs. The first volume, "Drink to the Bird" came out in 1996.

The second book, "A Raid into Dark Corners" (Cork University) is a compilation of 26 of his essays written over the past years on various Irish authors from George Moore to Sean O'Faolain to Seamus Heaney. The title of the book is from a definition Heaney gave to poetry, which he likened to "a raid into dark corners."

I bring this latter book to your attention because some weeks ago you had listed "Of Clay Gods and Men" which was the title of this book of essays by Wolfhound Press. That deal fell through and Cork University published it as "A Raid..."

Ben is an extraordinary writer and I hope this information will enable you to list his complete works. Thank you very much.

The life of the late Terence Cardinal Cooke has been a great inspiration to me. He suffered greatly during the last few years of his life. Fr. Groeschel sets out a wonderful portrait of a man who was totally devoted to God and his people. During the last nine years of his life, Cardinal Cooke suffered from cancer. Yet, he did not wish that be known. He did not wish to be "a lame duck Archbishop". He would receive chemotheraphy and then continue the arduous schedule of the Archbishop of New York. He kept this up for nine years. It is for this reason that the Catholic Church is considering making him a saint. He was one who spent his life for God and his people on earth.

This tale has everything you could ask for in a story. Intrigue and romance played out on a grand scale during the American revolution. The real story behind Benedict Arnold's defection is told in fascinating detail. The reader gets a glimpse of the everyday concerns of our nations greatest heros and it's greatest villians. We meet the beautiful and ambitious Peggy Shippen and the handsome and tragic Major Andre'. A rousing good yarn.

555 Pp. PB. Masterful combination of theological principles and practical application regarding divine love-the subject of Our Lord's first and greatest commandment. Based on Scripture, the Fathers, St. Thomas, it reveals the author's great learning. An acknowledged classic which goes to the heart of the True Religion

We are all going to get old; that's a given. How we handle that inescapable fact of life is important to us. This book, which treats the subject of ageing with love, concern and sensitivity, should be read by folks who can accept age graciously, and also by those who cannot. Everyone faces the long, dark corridor at the top of the stair, but we must be optimistic, and move steadily toward the Light at its end. Read this work, it will help.

Oxford academic Adam Roberts, long considered the most influential expert on the subject of the UN system, has produced an excellent book, with great academic rigour, very comprenehsive, and very concise (or at least as concise as it could possibly be, given the enormous amount and variety of issues covered therein). With great ability, the author manages to highlight the positive and negative sides of the UN system and its work, criticizing them where appropriate and by giving very thorough explanations, and praising them in other respects. It offers information and analysis on the major challenges confronted by the UN in the recent past, and those likely to arise in the near future. The book is an absolute must for anyone wishing to know more on the UN system. It is suitable both for those intending to learn the basics, and those who are on a start of deep research work on the subject. It is a serious academic study, yet easy to read and even enjoyable.

There has of late been something of a cottage industry for Twentieth Century Vatican history, partially due to increased openness of Catholic archives. Pope Benedict XV is not only the unknown Pope of John Pollard's title, but surely the last great figure of World War I to be the subject of a modern biographer.

Lacking the sensationalism that has been a recent hallmark of some Catholic history, this work combines substantial original research in Catholic and State archives in the Vatican City, Italy, Britain and the United States with an exhaustive analysis of printed primary and secondary sources in an array of languages.

Having also pursued researches in the Vatican's Secret Archive I can testify that this must have been no easy task.

What emerges is a portrait of Pope Benedict XV balancing delicate issues between the Allied and Central Powers in the face of continued difficulties with the Italian state, but also a compassionate man who cared greatly for those around him, and for the sufferings of war.

Adopting a broadly chronological approach, Pope Benedict XV's origins, ascent to the papacy, role in the war and relations with Italy, humanitarian relief, peace diplomacy and post-war relations with Italy and the rest of the world are all covered seemlessly.

A seminal work which points the way ahead for church history and will surely prove the inspiration for further work on Pope Benedict XV and the role of the Papacy in the Twentieth Century, this book also deserves to be read by anyone with an interest in World War I, humanitarian aid, diplomatic and Italian history.

More uncommonly, this work is written in a clear style. John Pollard continues to hold the reader's attention and employs a light touch to explain the many curiosities of a pre-Vatican II pontificate.

Benedict's thought-provoking book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the myths of rape that continue to pervade our culture. Benedict places media coverage of sex crimes into historical perspective and casts light on our understanding of sexual violence and gender relations. This is a smart, readable book.