This book, Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI, is a beautiful rendition of Jesus' life and parables. It delves deeply into Jesus' parables, especially the Good Samaritan. Pope Benedict XVI brings this parable into the present day depicting Africa as the beaten down traveler in which we all can relate to.
There is another beautiful new book on Jesus entitled "The Enlightenment, What God Told Me After One Million Prayers: A Message for Everyone" by John H. Eagan. I just finished it. It's really great and deals with Jesus' teachings and His Passion. It brought me to tears. I think the readers of Pope Benedict's book will really enjoy The Enlightenment.

Excellent. I couldn't put it down. I turned from the last page back to the first to re-read the book.

Jesus of Nazareth

This is no quick reading..you will find yourself stopping frequently
in meditation. Excellent for reading with the bible close by for complete enlightenment and enjoyment. This is a catholic book, NOT a
"Catholic" one since and all faiths in God will come away with
praise and astoundment that a book with a familiar title like this
gets so close to bringing an understanding of Jesus. At the least it fills one with graditude for more than the author but for Jesus, Himself. Amazing book with words that lift off the page and straights into hearts and minds who long for understanding. What's this big deal about Jesus, one might say...after reading the book you will be reluctant to give it away...so I went back and bought 2 more new ones to give away. I'm now
awaiting the second book which will come out I think in the spring (vol II). This price is a gift not a sale.


Maggie
clearwater FL

This refers to the audio CD, which I have listened to on my way to work & on a recent long trip. I have the hardcover also, and I just had trouble getting to it. Anyway, the reading is excellent. More important, the content is fantastic. I will admit that I often have to reread passages (in the hardcover) or press the "back" button on my CD player to listen to something again. This is not light fare.
One what he intends as Part One of a book, Pope B16 takes us through Christ's life and teaching from the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration. Special attention is explained to understanding the Beatitudes and understanding the "Our Father" prayer in deep detail. PB16 criticizes "historical-only" approaches to Christ with explanations of why and offers a more whole approach to Christ. Beautiful.
Disclosure: This reviewer is a biased Catholic, but believes Protestants and even non-Christians will find value in this work!
Recommendations: Pope Benedict, and his other works under the title Joseph Ratzinger is a brilliant theologian. I recommend Deus Caritas Est (simpler style than his usual writing, very accessible, and unbelievably beautiful in meaning), God is Near Us (on the Real Presence in the Eucharist), and In the Beginning (a treatment of Creation). I hope the Pope will live to give us the second part of this book.

This is a well-written and insightful book about the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is not an easy read in that it is not for entertainment but rather it is a study of a period of time during Jesus' time on earth. I am not a Catholic so I did not have any idea as to the Pope's qualification as a theologian. Obviously, he is very qualified. I am a more informed Christian for having read this book.