One Hundred Great Catholic Books: From the Early Centuries to the Present - Brophy, Don. BlueBridge, 2007. 240p. $16.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-1933346083. bluebridgebooks.com 282 Catholic literature—Appreciation.

This book is by no means for Catholics only. Because Christians of all denominations share so much history and belief, this survey of important books by and about Catholics is a good resource for any church library.

Don Brophy, former managing editor at Paulist Press, has selected a hundred books that have nourished the faith of Catholics and others. He includes only books that are suitable for general readers and that were available either in print or online as he wrote his book.

Brophy lists his picks chronologically. They include biography and autobiography, memoir, history, theology, poetry, fiction, philosophy, and the broad category of spirituality. Among the authors represented are St. Augustine, Blaise Pascal, Graham Greene, Dorothy Day, Evelyn Waugh, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Annie Dillard, Patricia Hampl, Helen Prejean, Thomas Cahill, and Alice McDermott. For each selection, Brophy offers a two-page commentary on the author and the book, providing pleasant reminders of old favorites and instructive and often enticing introductions to unfamiliar works.

This survey of Catholic books is delightful reading and would be especially useful to anyone responsible for stocking a church library.

Monica Tenney, Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio