A fascinating and insightful volume collecting together the key writings of Joseph Ratzinger.

This is a fascinating and insightful volume collecting together the key writings of Joseph Ratzinger, some of them yet untranslated, from his youthful and more progressive writings, to his 'transition period' following his disillusionment with the aftermath of Vatican II, to his time as Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith down to 2005. The emphasis will be upon Joseph Ratzinger as 'private theologian', his many writings released in a personal capacity for such will chart the formation of and comment upon the official statements and texts released under his name in a more informative fashion than the simple inclusion of the formulaic 'official texts' themselves.Following a section providing insight into the fundamental and systematic theological background and development of Joseph Ratzinger's thought, further thematic sections will also be included, for example, Joseph Ratzinger's writings on Ecclesiology, on Theology and the Role of Theologians, on the Eucharist, on Religious Pluralism, on Sacramental Theology, Ecumenism, on Truth, on the Contemporary Historical Era, on Magisterium and on Faith Morals etc.The volume will open with an introductory essay charting the life and career, the achievements of and the controversies surrounding the new pope. Each reading will be prefaced by a brief introduction to its context and themes and will be followed by recommended further reading on its respective subject matter.

"Mention in New Book Just Published section." - The Church Times, 21st May 2010.

"Clear, engaging and readable." - The Wire, Sept. 2010

"The commentators, helpful throughout this volume in giving background to Ratzinger's various texts, note that his core theological views have not changed dramatically from the 1960s onwards, despite what many others, such as Hans Kung, have argued." - Catholic Herald, 10th September (UK)

"The Ratzinger Reader' is a wonderful resource, especially for those who are relatively new to Ratzinger's corpus...For the time being, anyway, there is no better introduction to Ratzinger's work." - Theological Book Review

"Editor interview featured." - Tertio Spirit