Opus Dei: The Truth About its Rituals, Secrets and Power
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Product Description
Catherine Pepinster, Independent, 30 September 2005
With John Allen's comprehensive account of the organisation, far more has been revealed than ever before.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Christopher Howse, The Tablet
[A] deeply intriguing study ... John Allen's 388 pages are full of facts
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
The Tablet of London, a well-known English Catholic publication, recently published a series of jokes about various groups within the Catholic Church, and here's how the one on Opus Dei goes: How many members of Opus Dei does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The Tablet of London, a well-known English Catholic publication, recently published a series of jokes about various groups within the Catholic Church, and here's how the one on Opus Dei goes: How many members of Opus Dei does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A very thorough and detailed examination of the structure, philosophy and practices of this organisation. In my view, Allen succeeds 90% in showing that fears about the organisation being a sinister, organised and reactionary force with a baleful influence on the Catholic church are grossly exaggerated or entirely fictitious. Yet at the same time some of the common practices, particularly as regards aspects of the lifestyles of the celibate numeraries such as their limited access to sources of information and contacts with the outside world, seem rather cultish and seem to have no real objective justification even from a religious viewpoint. A worthwhile book, clearly sympathetic to a Catholic viewpoint overall, but lacking nothing in rigourous investigation of its subject.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I found this book to be the first fair, honest and open-minded representation of the very controversial organisation which is Opus Dei. It is based on fact and truth and not conspiracy theories and fiction like other books on the subject.
Allen has travelled the world interviewing everyone from those in charge of the Prelature to its most critical sceptics. He systematically discusses all the popular criticisms in an unbiased way leaving the reader to come up with his/her own conclusions.
Some would say that the book is less exciting and spectacular than expected, but this is simply due to the fact that the book intends to search for the truth about the organisation instead of inventing thrilling but generally false tales of conspiracy and meglomania.
Allen has travelled the world interviewing everyone from those in charge of the Prelature to its most critical sceptics. He systematically discusses all the popular criticisms in an unbiased way leaving the reader to come up with his/her own conclusions.
Some would say that the book is less exciting and spectacular than expected, but this is simply due to the fact that the book intends to search for the truth about the organisation instead of inventing thrilling but generally false tales of conspiracy and meglomania.
I would seriously recommend this book for anyone searching for a well-researched, unbiased account of the truth.
11 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I came to this book with a certain amount of expectation, having seen glowing reviews in The Tablet and elsewhere. It didn't live up to my hopes, and it isn't anywhere near as good as Allen's other books.
Allen starts with an outline of how Opus Dei is structured, moves on to describe the founder's life, and then looks at how Opus Dei functions in the lives of its members. As the story progresses he looks at the various criticisms that have been made of Opus Dei. In the main he finds these unfounded and unfair, and he is clearly impressed with the particular model for lay spirituality that Opus Dei provides, most notably in the sanctification of work. The account comes across as bland, and, after a while, even as boring. It becomes difficult to see what the fuss is about.
Now it may be that that is the reality and there's no more to be said: that Opus Dei has a valuable spirituality to offer and that the criticisms of it are mostly unfair. If that had emerged as the conclusion, after a thorough analysis of the organisation and how it operates then one might well be convinced. Yet the analysis never goes particularly deep, and Allen's conclusions are flagged up from the outset; this leads to one not trusting how far he has really examined the issues. Compared with Allen's other books where he has combined even-handedness with insight and questioning, this one in the end disappoints.
One will find plenty of facts about Opus Dei, and probably come away better informed, so to that extent the book is useful. But as to just why so many people have been and are suspicious of Opus Dei, then the book left me at least still wondering.
Allen starts with an outline of how Opus Dei is structured, moves on to describe the founder's life, and then looks at how Opus Dei functions in the lives of its members. As the story progresses he looks at the various criticisms that have been made of Opus Dei. In the main he finds these unfounded and unfair, and he is clearly impressed with the particular model for lay spirituality that Opus Dei provides, most notably in the sanctification of work. The account comes across as bland, and, after a while, even as boring. It becomes difficult to see what the fuss is about.
Now it may be that that is the reality and there's no more to be said: that Opus Dei has a valuable spirituality to offer and that the criticisms of it are mostly unfair. If that had emerged as the conclusion, after a thorough analysis of the organisation and how it operates then one might well be convinced. Yet the analysis never goes particularly deep, and Allen's conclusions are flagged up from the outset; this leads to one not trusting how far he has really examined the issues. Compared with Allen's other books where he has combined even-handedness with insight and questioning, this one in the end disappoints.
One will find plenty of facts about Opus Dei, and probably come away better informed, so to that extent the book is useful. But as to just why so many people have been and are suspicious of Opus Dei, then the book left me at least still wondering.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Unsuccessful antidote to Dan Brown. Incomplete, partial
2005 Pelican. The cover design of red, orange, and yellow is designed to mimic a sensational expose. So are the blurbs:- 'Controversial ... With John Allen's account ... Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2009 by Rerevisionist
Failed the objectivity test
The book claims to be an objective study of Opus Dei. It is nothing of the sort. The author shows naivete almost from the beginning of the book, accepting much that is... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2007 by J. Hyland
The truth at last
I found this book to be the first fair, honest and open-minded representation of the very controversial organisation which is Opus Dei. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2006 by Boz
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