In most cases, I'm convinced that it is simply better to let the Gospels speak for themselves and forego the project to wrap them all into one whole. However, Guardini has done a masterful job in this work. Some of his chapters simply read like excellent homilies on Christ and his love for man.

In preaching the Gospel through this book, however, Guardini does not lose sight of the primary goal of laying out the life of Christ in one compact (though lengthy) work of literature. The facts are there and are presented in a straightforward and understandable manner.

I believe there is only one true way to judge a book such as this. The simple standard is whether the book leads you to contemplate the life of Jesus and then reflect on what that means to you. It is certainly a subjective standard, but I believe it is the one standard that a person who is contemplating this book would use.

As for me, I've been blessed to read this book a couple of times now. This book, and Guardini himself, is well respected by protestant and Catholic alike. I can fathom no person who would not be encouraged and enlightened by this work of literature.