Here, Pope John Paul II recounts his ordination as bishop in 1958 and service in the episcopacy until being elected pope in 1978. This book could be called a sequel to his reflections on his early years in the priesthood, Gift and Mystery. The new text has a formal, catechism-like quality, with frequent scripture references, pietisms, and explications. However, John Paul's delineation of episcopal responsibilities offers some insight into his particular style as a charismatic leader of the Church... We also see a personal side of John Paul in his descriptions of countering efforts by the Communist regime in Poland to suppress the Church. In his poetic meditation on the Polish St. Stanislaus, John Paul says, 'I want to describe my Church in which, for centuries,/ the word and the blood go side by side,/ united by the hidden breath/ of the Spirit.' The paradox of simplicity of 'faith responsibility and courage' in conjunction with sophisticated leadership is illumined. This book will interest Catholics and Christians committed to fuller ecumenical understanding.-Sheila Peiffer, Acad. of the Holy Names, Albany, NY Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.