The pre-eminent church historian John W. O’Malley is well known to Catholic Book Club members and readers everywhere for his scholarship, insight, clear writing and detailed, reliable analysis. His many books—The First Jesuits, Trent and All That and Four Cultures of the West among them–were published to critical and popular acclaim. It is not surprising, then, that his newest work, What Happened at Vatican II, is on our radar screen too.
It so happened that O’Malley was doing historical research work at the American Academy in Rome from 1963 to 1965 and was able to attend not only some press briefings but two key Public Sessions of the council. As a priest, he writes in the preface, “I knew that the decisions of Vatican II would certainly influence that side of my life.” His book stands apart from the scores that have been written since the close of Vatican II in that it is basic and readable, providing the essential story line from convocation to conclusion, the issues that emerged, historical and theological themes, and keys to understanding clearly what the bishops set out to accomplish by way of reform and the 16 documents they ultimately produced.
For a thorough review of this significant book, look in the Nov. 3 issue of America, in which Thomas J. Shelley hails O’Malley for his “lucid presentation, balanced judgments…and elegant style.” What Happened at Vatican II tells nothing less than the story of the biggest meeting in the history of the church.
Purchase What Happened at Vatican II
This article appears in October 20 2008.
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