The Bad Catholic's Guide to the Seven Deadly Sins: A Vital Look at Virtue and Vice, With Quizzes and Activities for Saintly Self-Improvement (Bad Catholic's guides) Paperback – November 1, 2010

I recently joined the Catholic Church. As part of this conversion, I wanted to read more about the faith on a regular basis. One of my good friends recommended "Bad Catholics Guide to the Seven Deadly Sins." I am glad she did, as it is one of the best books on ANY SUBJECT that I have been privileged to read -- and I am a book-a-holic.The wry and witty writing style of John Zmirak was a key element in my enjoyment. He extracts a tidbits of information form more ponderous literature and theological discussions of the "Seven Deadly Sins", and uses humorous and meaningful examples from his own life to make the point. Two other factors were also exceptional: 1) The use of great graphics that help underscore a point; and 2)The use of references to literature and biographies that help direct me to other resources that I want to read in the future (e.g., The Church and the Market).It is hard to imagine reading about the "Seven Deadly Sins" being a pleasurable experience, but it was. However, there were some challenges presented to me in chapters I didn't expect. I am a very busy person, so I didn't think the chapter on sloth would really impact me. Reading about shortcuts taken in the kitchen, which disconnects us to God's bounty, and shortcuts taken in faith (e.g, prayer) were eye-opening.I was planning to pass this book along to other friends, but I am keeping it as a reference for my own writing and benefit. No, I am not giving into the sin of greed -- I am going to by copies for others who might also enjoy Zmirak's book. I can't say enough good things about this book; it is well worth your time and money.

I was initially kind of skeptical of this book because of the title. Why a "Bad" Catholic's Guide? But I ordered it because it promised to be fun--and I was not disappointed. I was laughing out loud at the airport... people must have thought I was a nut. The book is part sober theological treatise (lots of Aristotle and Aquinas), part crackpot memoir (the author illustrates the virtue of Patience by telling tales of his destructive adopted beagles), and part self-help book (chapters end with insightful quizzes that test the reader on each deadly sin--offering practical steps on how to overcome them). The zany illustrations, fascinating historical vignettes (this may be the only book to contrast, at length, Mother Angelica and Andy Warhol) and just plain wonderful writing made this a painless, but finally edifying, walk through the moral life. After reading it, I ordered the author's two previous Bad Catholic's Guides, and they were every bit as good. This book makes perfect reading in preparation for Lent--or a long airplane ride.

The author is a trad-Catholic, Smart, informed, and opinionated. In short, my kind of writer. I learned a lot from this book, and it’s hard to give it a better recommendation that.The cover is a real attention getter. If you read this book in public, be prepared to explain it to people. They will be curious, and they will ask. It will give you good opportunities for witness, so you’ll want To be prepared.

I bought this third "Bad Catholics Guide" in expectation that it would live up to the previous two books. I have not been disappointed. This is a rollicking good book that as you are gasping for breath because you are laughing, you are also gasping for breath because of the insights Mr. Zmirak provides into a sin you may be infected with.After Mr. Zmirak details the sin, he details the virtue to defeat it, along with the opposite end of the spectrum - the neurosis, which more often than not, is not the way to defeat the sin but a different kind of sin. For example: the vice of wrath is defeated by patience, but the neurosis at the opposite of wrath is servility. After covering the sin, the neurosis and the virtue, you are afforded an opportunity to see how well (or not) you are doing with a vice/virtue/neurosis (Trademark-Busting Cosmo-Style Quiz).Along the way, you will read about saints for the virtues (including some that are not properly saints), sinners for the vice (like Ayn Rand), and neurotics for the neurosis. Mr. Zmirak covers history, the future, and of course, the Church. You will benefit from reading this book, if only to make you more aware of your own failings while laughing your butt off.

I just didn't get it. I found that the author was promoting his own agenda and politics. I did not find the quizzes helpful or amusing - most of them I would have said none of the above but that wasn't a choice.

John Zmirak has both a great sense of humor and a strong understanding of orthodox Catholic belief. His examples of vices (exemplified by such figures as Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Ayn Rand and Lillian Hellman) are well chosen, and his accounts of these figures are very informative. Likewise his choice of exponents of the opposing virtues, such as Mother Angelica and Alexander Solzenitshyn. A must read for those who want to know the Catholic faith better, and those who think that devout religious belief and humor don't mix.Lars Troide

He tries to be funny. He is not funny.