The Essential Pope Benedict XVI: His Central Writings & Speeches

A former publishing executive, John F. Thornton is a literary agent and co-editor of Tongues of Angels, Tongues of Men: A Book of Sermons. He lives in New York City.

Susan B. Varenne holds an M.A. from the University of Chicago Divinity School and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. She is a New York City teacher and a freelance writer specializing in religion.

“The idea behind this collection was brilliant; the selections are intelligent. On my shelf this book will become indispensable.” - Michael Novak, American Enterprise Institute
“This is simply the best anthology of the work of one of the greatest living thinkers. In these pages we see how Benedict’s favored phrase, the “hermeneutic of continuity,” applies not only to the Church’s teaching, but to his own thought over the course of decades. Now the task of assimilating and synthesizing that work can begin in earnest.” - Scott Hahn, Ph.D., Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology, St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, Pa.
“Now that a leading Catholic theologian has assumed office as pope, many are eager to get an overview of his theology. The present selection, drawn largely from his shorter writings, gives an excellent sampling. It will provide a first orientation to beginners and will enable veterans to supplement their familiarity with this important thinker.” - Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., author of Models of the Church
“A splendid compendium of writings on love, faith, and history; a book to gladden the soul.” - Carol and Philip Zaleski, co-authors of Prayer: A History
“The Essential Pope Benedict XVI is an essential book for anyone seeking to understand a complex man of faith placed at the center of an ancient, battered, and complex institution.” - Judge John T. Noonan, Jr., author of A Church That Can And Cannot Change: The Development of Catholic Moral Teaching
“An outstanding collection of texts which takes us straight to the heart of Benedict XVI’s thought.” - Alister McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology, Oxford University
“This book is an open door, inviting the reader into the mind and heart of a great teacher of eternal truth.” - The Reverend Richard John Neuhaus, Editor-in-Chief of FIRST THINGS and author of The Naked Public Square and Catholic Matters
“What a wonderful collection from across the range of writings of Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. His clarity of expression is refreshing and his depth of thought is obvious, but the positions he takes are sometimes surprising. The selections chosen for this anthology are extremely apt and representative.” - Father Joseph W. Koterski, S.J., Fordham University