Universal Father

Previous books about the Pope have concentrated on his public life and achievements - this biography is concerned with explaining who the inner man was, what really made the Pope tick The book is based on five years' research and includes a fascinating picture section and comprehensive notes, chronology and bibliography The author is the biographer of, among others, Peggy Ashcroft and Paul Scofield - his understanding of acting and drama is highly appropriate in an examination of this ordinary man - who was an actor in his youth - turned leader of the Catholic Church

Investigates the inner man, including Karol Wojtyla's life before he became Pope and his friendships with men and women. This book follows his life, from his birth in Poland in 1920, through the losses that shaped his childhood, the assassination attempt in 1981, and his public confrontations on the world stage, right up until his death.Pope John Paul II is now universally considered to have been one of the great leaders of the twentieth century and possibly the most politically influential pope since St Peter. His achievements are well documented, yet he once said, 'I can only be understood from the inside.' In this vivid and accessible living portrait, O'Connor investigates the inner man, including Karol Wojtyla's life before he became Pope and his friendships with men and women, subtly analysing the Pope's own poems, plays and philosophical works for clues as to what made him tick. It also dramatically follows his life, from his birth in Poland in 1920, through the losses that shaped his childhood, the assassination attempt in 1981, and his great public confrontations on the world stage, right up until his death in April 2005.