A Philadelphia Catholic in King James's Court: A Novel Paperback – April 5, 2021

This was a great story and also a clear explanation of what Catholics really believe. Like an apologetics book but with a plot!

This book is a great example for teens and adults. It shows the importance of knowing the "why" of being Catholic. The book also shows that not everyone has the complete answer on the spot, not everyone is a born apologist. The main character is awaken to his faith by the untimely death of his father, which says a lot for finding meaning in suffering. On the protestant side, one begins to understand that protestants are sincere in their motives, but misguided. They are serious about the bible, but as the book shows, sola scriptura simply doesn't work. The main character also shows the average Catholic that there is a big difference in knowing our faith as a child and coming to know our faith as an adult. I believe any Catholic will be able to indentify with this book on some level. I read this book in two days it was so good, and now my daughter is ready to read it. I can't wait until the next one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the things that was certainly lacking in my "Catholic" high school curriculum back in the 70s was apologetics. In fact, I didn't even know what apologetics was until my mid 30s! Unsure and ignorant of my Catholic faith I spent a lot of years sort of drifting in the wind blown by the infamous "Spirit of Vatican II" with no substance, no form, no conviction and no clue!As I started to train my own children in their Catholic Faith I looked for sources that would not only tell them what the Catholic Church teaches, but also go into a rich explanation of the "why." A Philadelphia Catholic in King James's Court  is the kind of book that would have served me well back in my high school days. This novel is engaging, thought provoking and even humorous in places. The story is so compelling that the reader can become totally engrossed in it. But more importantly, it teaches the Catholic faith in a way that captures the imagination and heart of the reader.Michael O'Shea is a high school senior, beginning to think about his plans for college when his fireman father is tragically killed in a house fire saving a drug dealer. His mother Tammi, is so shaken by her husband's death that she agrees to take her children out of school early and live on her brother Les's farm for the summer so that she can have time to sort through her husband's papers and have some quiet time to grieve.Les lives deep in the bible belt. Catholics in that area are in the minority. Although Les had great admiration for his late brother-in-law, he thinks that Tammi made a mistake converting to Catholicism, and he has made it his mission to use the time he has with his sister's family to recovert them back to Protestantism, starting with his oldest nephew Michael.In many ways, Michael is like a lot of post Vatican II Catholics. He doesn't really understand what the church teaches or why, but he did have the example of his parent's deep faith. As uncle talks to him about questions he has on Catholicism, Michael starts reading the books his father had and learning to understand Sacred Scripture and how the bible is essential to explaining and understanding what the Catholic church teaches.Young Michael is confronted many times in the books on different issues, like devotion to Mary and the papacy. The climax at the end of the book is when Michael must face a well-known Protestant apologist in front of an entirely Protestant congregation.Michael does not become a top notch apologist over night. He has a lot of stumbles and insecurity, but perseverance and study become his allies.One of the parts of the book that really meant a lot to me, was that Tammy O'Shea is never by her son's side during these confrontations, but she is always at home praying her rosary for his safety and guidance. The power of a mother's prayer.A  A Philadelphia Catholic to King James's Court: Discussion/Study Guide  is also available. I used that somewhat in preparing my son for confirmation.I first read this book myself four years ago and learned a lot from it. I gleaned even more the second time around a few years later. This would definitely be a good book for any Catholic adult of my vintage who wants something enjoyable and not too technical or dry for re-learning some of the basics of the Catholic Faith.

This was a good book for reminding this Catholic about the foundations of the Church. Thank you for standing up for the truth!

This is a wonderfully written Catholic apologetics novel in fictional form. My husband and I read it together and loved it. It's great for adults, but kids would love and really benefit from this book as it is an easy way to learn more about the faith and it would provide an example of defending the faith. I think it would be appropriate for as early as pre-teen or early teenager years.

This was a great novel which did a great job teaching apologetics while at the same time telling a good story without being awkward, silly, or unbelievable. It was well done and I highly recommend reading this book with your child.Well told. Great characters.

This is a great fun and educational book. I have read it with all of my children. A good way to learn about God's established church and a non judgemental discusson on how people have been led astray.

I meant to write a review for the book, but instead wrote it for the study guide. So if you want to know exactly what I think of it, you can go look there. The study guide is helpful in a small group discussion.

Great book, especially for teens!