Marcello Pera

Without Roots is a collection of two essays and two letters, one by each author, about the existential crisis facing Western societies, particularly in Europe. Written by a future Pope and a President of the Italian Senate, the book approaches the major issues from both the religious and secular viewpoints. What is the role of Christianity in today's society? How dangerous is relativism? and Whither Europe? are just a few of the questions they seek to answer, and their answers are still very relevant today. With the exceptions of a few chestnuts like the European Constitution, the book has aged very well in its first decade. Those with an interest in Western civilization, moral relativism, and the roles and church and state will want to pick it up. Highly recommended.… (mer)