Witness to Hope

The Biography of Pope John Paul II

By: George Weigel

Narrated by: Sam Tsoutsouvas

Now, with an updated preface, the latest edition of the definitive biography of Pope John Paul II that explores how influential he was on the world stage and in some of the most historic events of the 20th century that can still be felt today.

"Fascinating...sheds light on the history of the 20th century for everyone." (New York Times Book Review)

Witness to Hope is the authoritative biography of one of the singular figures - some might argue the singular figure - of our time. With unprecedented cooperation from John Paul II and the people who knew and worked with him throughout his life, George Weigel offers a groundbreaking portrait of the Pope as a man, a thinker, and a leader whose religious convictions defined a new approach to world politics - and changed the course of history. As even his critics concede, John Paul II occupied a unique place on the world stage and put down intellectual markers that no one could ignore or avoid as humanity entered a new millennium fraught with possibility and danger.

The Pope was a man of prodigious energy who played a crucial, yet insufficiently explored, role in some of the most momentous events of our time, including the collapse of European communism, the quest for peace in the Middle East, and the democratic transformation of Latin America. With an updated preface, this edition of Witness to Hope explains how this "man from a far country" did all of that, and much more - and what both his accomplishments and the unfinished business of his pontificate mean for the future of the Church and the world.

©1999 George Weigel (P)1999 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The book is rich in new detail....The book is well written and Weigel's command of the material is impressive." (Publishers Weekly)

"A book that will become a standard for students of church history and that sheds light on the history of the 20th century for everyone." (The New York Times Book Review)

"A tremendous achievement." (Washington Post)

"Well-wrought and comprehensive." (Wall Street Journal)

If you want to learn more about Pope John Paul II

What did you love best about Witness to Hope?

This book gave me insight into the Pope that I did not have before. I really enjoyed learning more about him as a person!

Outstanding!

A beautiful account of the life of the greatest man of the 20th century! A must read (or listen!) for anyone who cares about the history of the last century and the direction of the future, not only of the Catholic Church, but of the world.

An amazing story of a truly amazing life

A modern day “man for all seasons”.. a most challenging life so very well lived.

Time will tell...

My premonition is that 200 years from today, looking back, most of the world will agree that Karol Wojtyla was the greatest anthropologist and philosopher that ever walked the earth. It will take that long perhaps because the current prejudices against the other facts of his life, for example that he was also a brilliant theologian, a compassionate and pastoral Pope of the Catholic Church and declared a Saint, will take that long to fizzle out and give way to objectivity.

His brilliant work on human anthropology and sexual expression known now as the “Theology of the Body” is enough by itself to urge me to make such a bold claim. His life accomplishments in other areas only augment the assertion.

Time will tell.

In the mean time I am grateful for this excellent abridged Audible edition of George Weigel's work, giving the world a chance to become better acquainted with the much celebrated Saint John Paul II in less than ten hours of listening. I doubt that I'd have made it through the over 1000 pages unabridged hard copy version, so I for one am happily in debt to both Mr. Weigel and the editors who made this "quick" edition available. As a student at the Theology of the Body Institute, it has greatly enriched my perspectives on this great friend and servant of God, whose work I shall continue to study and propagate as long as I'm able.

Beautiful

A beautiful reading of a beautiful book. Very powerful and inspiring. if you enjoy religious or inspiring books give this one a try.

Inspirational

JP2 is the finest example of true masculinity for the 21st century. The author and narrator did a great job in showing this.

Outstanding

This is an incredible story; the story of a man who challenged adversity at every turn and rose to the occasion. I'm proud of this leader and his contributions to the beginning of this new millenium. I wish I could get the unabridged edition.

A Great Example of Catholicism

I absolutely love this. I started studying JP2 before I was even Catholic, and I joined the Church in 2010. I feel like John Paul is a part of my family. He is filled with so much love. He played a great part in my conversion.

I highly recommend that everyone take the time to read this book. You will finish it before you know it, and be longing for more. (There is a sequel.)

You could spend a lifetime studying him, and it wouldn’t be wasted. He is a fascinating man, and a saint.

The narrator is wonderful. I will read the story over and over I’m sure.

Enjoy.

JP II the Great, Pray for the Church

We need him now. Hear our prayers. Will the Church hold through the perils ahead? The beloved John Paul II gives us hope.

Deep insights into a Pope I already respected.

My favorite is when John Paul II is elected, a moment that changed our world forever. Great narrator great book.