Book Review: The Bad Catholic's Guide to the Seven Deadly Sins

I was rather intrigued when I first heard about John Zmirak's 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.  The book is pretty much a tour of the seven deadly sins, their polar opposites (the neurosis) and the virtue that is the balance.

This book is one that requires the reader to have a sense of humor.  If you're easily offended or lack a sense of humor, this book is likely not for you.  That said, I found this book to be incredibly humorous.  Zmirak's wit and sarcasm kept me turning the pages to see what he'd say next.  Before I give you the impression that the book is simply there to entertain the reader, let me assure you that there is a certain element of seriousness as well.  Throughout the book you will find references to great theological minds such as Thomas Aquinas.  Zmirak essentially presents a vice, gives us a few stories that illustrate that vice, and then tosses in solid insight that will get you thinking.

After each vice and it's associated virtue are presented, there is a "Trademark-Busting Cosmo-Style Quiz."  These quizzes present you with a situation and four  choices for how you might respond to it.  I found the quizzes and their potential answers to not only make me think, but they also made me laugh.

The type in this book is small (think college text books that had the sole purpose of killing your eyesight), but the copious illustrations and pictures make up for the itty bitty type.  Despite the small print, this book is probably the most fun you'll have learning about the deadly sins.

From start to finish, The Bad Catholic's Guide To The Seven Deadly Sins will keep you laughing.  For more information on this book or to purchase, please visit Aquinas and More Catholic Goods.

I wrote this review of The Bad Catholic's Guide To The Seven Deadly Sins for the Tiber River Blogger Review program created by Aquinas and More Catholic Goods, the largest Catholic store online.  I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.