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WASHINGTON (September 2, 2003) -- Publishers Weekly reports that John Paul II: A Light for the World may be "the pick of the crop" when it comes to tributes commemorating the silver jubilee of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II.
The publishing industry bible highlighted the coffee table/resource book from Sheed & Ward in its August 11 issue. It was produced in conjunction with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and includes a forward by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
"This coffee table book, with memorable full-color images by official Vatican photographers and reflections by many people who have had personal encounters with John Paul may be the pick of the crop," PW said.
A Light for the World has 150-word personal remembrances from several church leaders including Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, Cardinal Edward Egan of New York, Archbishop John P. Foley of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, and Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland.
Many of the remembrances, PW said, are "candid and humorous."
PW also highlighted some of the 400-word essays, including those on family life, sexual abuse in the priesthood, human rights, labor, racism and the death penalty.
PW stressed the pictures of the pope noting that "the book's photographs, which span the course of his 25-year papacy, show him interacting with people all over the world and also depict some private moments."
Pictures include moments from every visit to the United States, even the brief stops to refuel the papal plane in Anchorage and Fairbanks. They also show him with every U.S. president since President Jimmy Carter, who welcomed him to the White House in 1979.
With more than 30,000 copies ordered pre-publication, A Light for the World will be available through bookstores, on the Web or directly from the publisher, Sheed & Ward, 1-800-462-6420 or through www.rowmanlittlefield.com. Cost is $35.