From a bestselling author with unprecedented access to Pope Francis; an investigative look at the recent financial scandals at the highest levels of the VaticanA veritable war is waging in the Church: on one side; there is Pope Francis’s strong message for one church of the poor and all; on the other; there is the old Curia with its endless enemies; and the old and new lobbies struggling to preserve their not-so-Christian privileges.The old guard do not back down; they are ready to use all means necessary to stay in control and continue the immoral way they conduct their business. They resist reforms sought by Pope Francis and seek to delegitimize their opponents; to isolate those who want to eliminate corruption. It’s a war that will determine the future of the church. And if he loses the battle against secular interests and blackmail; Pope Francis could resign; much like his predecessor. Based on confidential information―including top secret documents from inside the Vatican; and actual transcripts of Pope Francis’s admonishments to the papal court about the lack of financial oversight and responsibility―Merchants in the Temple illustrates all the undercover work conducted by the Pope since his election and shows the reader who his real enemies are. It reveals the instruments Francis is using to reform the Vatican and rid it; once and for all; of the overwhelming corruption traditionally encrusted in the Roman Catholic Church.Merchants in the Temple is a startling book that will shock every reader. It’s a story worthy of a Dan Brown novel; with its electrifying details of the trickery and scheming against the papacy―except that it is real.
#47760 in Books 2013-01-13 2013-01-13PDF # 1 9.00 x .22 x 6.00l; #File Name: 161382291X96 pages
Review
63 of 65 people found the following review helpful. for they allow us to gain a better understanding of how far our society has comeBy JayahThis autobiography was assigned to me when I was a junior in high school. Three years later; as a sophomore in college; I was asked to read the book again for my class on Black Thought and Literature. I wish that I had taken the time to slow down and analyze Frederick Douglass' narrative from a literal; analytical; and figurative perspective. Had I done that the first time around—as opposed to treating the book as another required reading that I needed to speed-read through—I believe that my understanding would have been more in-depth and meaningful. The emotion and conviction with which the author writes is not only poetic and moving; but captivating as well. The imagery; combined with Douglass' views on religion's role in the enslavement of black bodies; masterfully paints a story that (in combination with other narratives) has; unfortunately; been lost throughout time. In fact; many Black writers during this period refused to publish their experiences for fear that they will be caught and returned to slavery. In other cases; some writers used pen names to add some anonymity to their experiences. Nevertheless; such works should be cherished and valued; for they allow us to gain a better understanding of how far our society has come; and how much more needs to be done to ensure a future where everyone is equal (in the truest sense of the word).0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. What a Heart-breaker!By Donna KelleyI marvel that someone could have endured such deprivations and abuses of slavery and yet lived to tell it. I did not care for the long; run-on sentences which seem to be typical of that period in history. The poem at the end perfectly encapsulated the woes of slavery. I found the book so poignant that I could not have read it all in one sitting. My empathy could not withstand the mistreatment of the main character for long reading sessions. .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Please read or rereadBy CustomerAlthough there is difficulty in typing that a work like "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass; An American Slave" was enjoyable; I feel more humane after reading this text. And I enjoy the idea of this progression. With the types of difficulties we have today being American; there is also a feeling of reward accompanying the finishing of a text where ingenuity and the pursuit of learning are not portrayed as traits of the vain; but as the talents of those with the will to exist. Fredrick Douglass' narrative is uniquely American and inherently African American and anyone who feels pride belonging to one or both of these groups should read or reread this book.
