Quotes from Reviews of Inside the Vatican

America:

  • "[Reese's] treatment of the history and structure of the Roman Curia is detailed and instructive."
  • "Inside the Vatican is very successful in taking us inside the current structure and culture of the Catholic Church's central governing apparatus."

Bank's World:

  • "The story of the pope and the papacy is livened up through telling quotes from some of the major players."
  • "Reese's book is valuable because he raises the right issues."

Booklist:

  • "A study of the Roman Catholic Church's politics and organization is certainly justified; and Reese, a Jesuit trained in political science, is eminently qualified to write it."
  • "Although the proliferation of detail may prove daunting to general readers, Reese communicates it in an engaging style that moves easily between gossip (in the best sense of the word) and academic formality."
  • "Readers...will find the account entertaining as well as informative...."

Boston Globe:

  • "...Father Reese manages to spice up what could easily be a bland stew with telling anecdotes, pointed observations, and thoughtful reforms...."

Catholic Book Club:

  • "...a comprehensive analysis of the operations of the papacy has been long overdue. At last we have a splendid one by Thomas J. Reese, S.J."

Catholic News Service:

  • "Plenty of people have written books about the Vatican in recent years....But for accuracy and thought-provoking analysis, none come close to Jesuit Father Thomas Reese."
  • "...a fascinating guidebook to the inner workings of one of the oldest and most private organizations in the world."
  • "It is intriguing but not gossipy. It offers critique without slipping into polemics. It provides a wealth of detail about the institution, yet never lets the human element slip from view."

Christian Century:

  • "Reese's political science approach can contribute to this common project of renewal, reassessment and reconciliation."

Commonweal:

  • "Tom Reese is at it again."
  • "Reese's style is clear, concise, and nonjudgmental."
  • "...Reese gives a balanced picture of the structure, procedures, and people of the Vatican."
  • "...the chapter on Vatican officials is especially good."

Coral Gables Gazette:

  • "In his recent book, Inside the Vatican, Father Reese proceeds to de-mystify the state, finding his way steadily and methodically through its heavy ecclesiastical mist."
  • "This very well-researched book, a veritable primer on ecclesiastical policy, ought to be read by all who are interested in religions, and certainly by all thinking Catholics."

Cross Currents:

  • "Thomas Reese, in his excellent new book, has brought this hidden world into public view. In a succinct style, he leads the reader on a tour through the Vatican's inner world."
  • "While Reese offers fascinating descriptions of the various functions of the Vatican, he has also managed to weave into the narrative a subtle yet thoughtful critique."
  • "As a source of information about the operation of the Vatican, the book excels."
  • "Reese has written a very good book. He combines mastery of the details of Vatican organization with a trenchant and fair critique of that organization. All those interested in the complex web of Vatican affairs and who care about the Roman Catholic Church will benefit from its pages."

The Economist:

  • "A Jesuit at home, as you would expect, in theology, history and current affairs, Thomas Reese conducts an insider's tour of the Vatican."

Financial Times:

  • "Thomas Reese has included ... fascinating anecdotes in his study of the life inside the Vatican kingdom."

Governance:

  • "Reese...possesses a wry sense of humor, which makes his book both enlightening and entertaining."
  • "Inside the Vatican tells an absorbing story about an institution of enormous importance...."
  • "Reese's lively prose is punctuated by equally lively quotes from contemporary Church leaders...."
  • "[Reese's] training as a political scientist sharpens his insights into papal roles, election practices...."
  • "...plenty of grist for the lecture mills here."
  • "[Reese] is a wonderful tour guide, with vignettes for every occasion."

Greenwich Time:

  • "The Rev. Reese has written a terrific book, a perceptive analysis of the governance, finance, strengths and weaknesses of what has to be by far the world's oldest--and hence by definition most successful--corporate organization."

Inside the Vatican:

  • "[This book] is direct, pragmatic, confident....It gives as clear and detailed a picture of the Vatican's organization and workings as any single book now available."

Irish Times (Dublin):

  • A "useful and even valuable study of the institutional centre of the Roman Catholic Church, and of the relations between the centre and the worldwide network of local churches."
  • "[Reese] succeeds where many have failed in providing an analytic, critical and comprehensive account of how it works."

Library Journal:

  • "One need not be Catholic or even religious to appreciate this fascinating look into the Vatican...."
  • "Reese...provides detailed information, much of which is not available elsewhere, on the internal workings of the Vatican...."
  • "With its wealth of information, historical background, and analysis, Reese's work should be an important addition for a variety of libraries."

National Catholic Reporter:

  • "Reporters turning up in Rome for the next papal election will need to keep this book next to their laptops."

The New Leader:

  • "Anyone interested in Catholic administration above the local level will find [this book] a valuable resource. It is lucid and dispassionate...."
  • "...[Reese] writes calmly and factually of the Church as an institution, without any zealous claims about divine intent."

The New York Times:

  • "Inside the Vatican helpfully counters the sensation-mongering that marks so much writing about Rome."

Our Sunday Visitor:

  • "Father Reese has written a clear, precise and non-ideological guide to how the Vatican works--and doesn't."

Pastoral Life:

  • "For organizational theorists, for historians, for pastors, and for those who always wanted to know how the Roman Catholic Church operates at its highest level, Inside the Vatican is a must."

Publisher's Weekly:

  • "Reese's detailed account of what goes on inside a papal conclave will greatly simplify the work of journalists and teachers during the election of the next pope."

Religion News Service:

  • "Reese is perhaps the preeminent unofficial 'talking head' for commentary on Roman Catholic Church issues and politics."
  • "Inside the Vatican...offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the Vatican bureaucracy and tips on how Catholicism really works."

San Francisco Chronicle:

  • "Any journalist who has tried to cover the Vatican will appreciate the Rev. Thomas Reese's book."
  • "This even-handed and meticulously researched study of Vatican City and the papal bureaucracy couldn't come at a better time."

Star Tribune (Minneapolis):

  • "Reese...rubs away some of the secrecy fogging the windows of the 2,000-year-old institution."

Studia Canonica:

  • "All those who work in the Church at the Curial, diocesan, or national level will find something of interest in each section."
  • "It is easy to read, straightforward, and unapologetic about what the author sees as the failings of the inner workings of the Vatican."

Sunday Telegraph:

  • "[Reese] provides a great deal of useful information about the routine functioning of the Church."

Tablet:

  • "This American and Jesuitical commentary on the extraordinary phenomenon of the importance of the papacy to the world' s billion Catholics and to the secular cultures and rival religions of our time makes one think."

Time:

  • "Thomas Reese does an admirable job of lifting the veil of secrecy surrounding the Holy See to examine the nuts and bolts of the operation."
  • "Reese paints a revealingly human portrait of Vatican life."
  • "Ultimately, this is the merit of Inside the Vatican: Reese gets it right. And in [such] a place...that's no easy task."

The Times (London):

  • "Reese is good on Vatican bureaucrats and good at the questions. His sources tinkle with gossip and loyal criticism of the papacy."

The Times Literary Supplement:

  • "Reese's style is generally so even-tempered that when he does let out a discreetly critical comment, it has all the greater effect."

Washington Post Book World:

  • "Reese answers these questions and many more, explaining everything from the pope's many roles...to how the Vatican runs its finances."

Wilson Quarterly:

  • "Reese does a remarkable job of mapping the baffling, venerable, multilayered bureaucracy that serves the pope."

See also: