This book-the definitive version of Michael Davies's study of the Medjugorje phenomenon, a revision of which he was preparing right up to his death in 2004-is a valuable contribution to the growing literature on the subject. Although it covers only the period from 1981 to 2002, Medjugorje: The First Twenty-One Years brings together and offers incisive observations on material that other treatments summarize rapidly or even omit altogether. It must be remembered that Michael's Croatian wife, Maria, was in a unique position to assist Michael with access to an abundance of information in her native language that would have been, and often still is, a closed book to researchers from other countries. In its provision of original sources and with its judicious observations, Medjugorje: The First Twenty-One Years adds richness to the existing literature concerning the purported apparitions. Davies sees the connection of Medjugorje with a variety of controversial issues in the Church today: the relationship of authority and obedience, the nature of the charismatic movement, the dangers of chasing after private revelations, the scandal of clerical immorality, and the lure of false ecumenism.
