The horrors of the Nazi regime and the Holocaust still present some of the most disturbing questions in modern history: Why did Hitler's party appeal to millions of Germans; and how entrenched was anti-Semitism among the population? How could anyone claim; after the war; that the genocide of Europe's Jews was a secret? Did ordinary non-Jewish Germans live in fear of the Nazi state? In this unprecedented firsthand analysis of daily life as experienced in the Third Reich; What We Knew offers answers to these most important questions. Combining the expertise of Eric A. Johnson; an American historian; and Karl-Heinz Reuband; a German sociologist; What We Knew is the most startling oral history yet of everyday life in theThird Reich.
#1363824 in Books Richard John Neuhaus 2007-03-01 2007-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .61 x 5.40l; .49 #File Name: 0465049362272 pagesCatholic Matters Confusion Controversy and the Splendor of Truth
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A Must-ReadBy David SullivanFr. Neuhaus' book is a well crafted essay providing deeply-thought perspectives on the issues confronting the Church today. Although written in 2005; the issues are still current. Fr. Neuhaus; a convert from Lutheranism; also tells a compelling story about his own move to the One; Holy; Catholic; and Apostolic Church. As a convert myself; I found much that was similar in my own conversion; which is not really a "conversion" as much as it is entering into a fuller Christian life than I had known as an Evangelical. Throughout the book; Fr. Neuhaus displays his penetrating insight into what the Christian life is and how the Catholic Church; though assailed from within and without; remains the pillar and bulwark of truth and offers the best means to enter fully into life with Christ.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A traditional treasureBy Great SilenceNiehaus certainly is that; a traditional treasure.This book is a wonderful collection of essays; with Neuhaus 's convert's love of Mother Church shining from every page.He has that wonderful ability; rarely found outside the pages of Newman; Ratzinger and a few others; to argue convincingly for a difficult or controversial position. Now and then he lapses into sarcasm when dealing with liberal views; but at least he tries hard to hide this.His erudition; generosity and wisdom is a pleasure to experience; and I will certainly buy and read more of his books.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Catholic Church in the Age of IncoherenceBy Thomas M. LoarieBeing an avid reader of "First Things" for a number of years; Richard John Neuhaus' death (January 7; 2009) was the catalyst for me to read "Catholic Matters." Neuhaus was an astute observer of the philosophical and theological "first things" in the public square; in Christian faith communities; and in his beloved Catholic Church. He caused people to think deeply about faith in today's complex world. "Catholic Matters" provides the serious Catholic with the "Splendor of Truth." Neuhaus shares his own journey to full truth; from being a prominent Lutheran minister to a priest in full communion (contrast to conversion) with the Catholic Church. Neuhaus notes that Protestant churches are hemorrhaging and are now "sideline churches." On the other hand; the Catholic Church is not on the sidelines. It is the Church of Jesus Christ with the Spirit guiding it from beginning to end; and the end is not yet.Neuhaus' call to action centers on the need for a robust; obedient Catholic Church. The alternative to obedience is a cacophony of Christians making it up as they go along as we experience today with a storm of different and conflicting ideas claiming to be the truth. "Confronted by such claims; we necessarily say `sez who?" And the response we get is that many people today acknowledge no authority but him/herself based on the authority of a tradition of Enlightenment rationality. This has now collapsed into incoherence.A Church based in Christ and Truth offers the solution for our times. "The Church of Jesus Christ `subsists' in the Catholic Church....(and) if Christ intended a definite form for his Church and if one wants to be obedient to Christ's intention; then one should belong to the form of the church that most fully embodies that intention - The Catholic Church.""Catholic Matters" includes sections on the Church's teachings on human sexuality; love; fidelity; marriage; the discipline of celibacy; and the adventure of living fully the culture of life; today's morality; unfaithful and ineffective preaching; Catholic dissidents who are suffering from "from delusions of self-importance;" Thomas Aquinas and distinctions between eternal law; natural law; positive law; and Divine law; and what has made the Church distinctive.Neuhaus concludes that the "silly season is almost over and the initiative today is with the center. There are growing and vibrant networks of young professionals excited about being Catholic. The discontinuant left is dying because there is no successor generation."But adds Cardinal Ratzinger's (prior to becoming Pope) caution; "We must brace ourselves for a time of deepened indifference and heightened hostility. Paul writes to Timothy that he has to proclaim the word "in and out of season;" when it is popular and when it is despised. The task of the Church is not to be successful but to be faithful." In the final analysis; "Catholic Matters."
