The Fatima Secret

by Michael Hesemann

Book Overview

Edited and with an Introduction by Whitley Strieber A fascinating investigation into Fatima's third prophecy which was locked away by the Vatican for nearly a century. The Church's greatest secret, it... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0016ANFRS
• ISBN13: 9780440236443
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Bantam Dell
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

well written and informative

I am a big fan of the author Michael Hesemann, as his books are always of the highest quality and scholarship. His UFO-related books appeal to me more than his (later) books on religious (Catholic) subjects, but this book somewhat combines both topics. The emphasis in this book is on the "Marian" mysteries ("miracles?") of the 20th Century, on the Fatima apparitions, and on the life and beliefs of Lucia dos Santos--the child who apparently spoke with the apparitions of Mary (and, later, Jesus). The author makes it clear that Lucia had a lasting impact on Catholic religious thought throughout the 20th Century. One sentence, toward the end of the book, sums up the whole Fatima impact: "She [Lucia] repeated her conviction that the vision of Fatima concerns above all the struggle of atheist Communism against the Church and against Christians, and describes [in the "third secret"] the terrible sufferings of the victims of the faith in the twentieth century." [pp. 247-248] In retrospect, these claims seem unfounded. I was planning to point out the lack of evidence for these claims by Lucia, especially that of persecution of Catholics in the 20th Century, but will keep my opinions to myself. (However, I wish to point out that I attended Catholic elementary school myself, and heard the same claims made by nuns and lay teachers.) Historically, the year of the Fatima visions was the same year as the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (from March through Nov., 1917). Surely, this could have influenced her impressionable young (10-year old) mind. And, it seems likely that this Bolshevik "threat" had a lot of conservative Christians nervous, including Lucia's parents, teachers, clergy, etc. Three aspects of the Fatima apparitions and prophecies that make Lucia's dialogues with Mary seem illogical and unbelievable to me are: 1) Why was it that only Lucia saw and spoke to the "beautiful woman"--aka Mary? From what I have read, the people in the crowds did not see her. 2) Why didn't Mary's prophecies include the rise of fascist regimes such as those of Hitler and Mussolini? In the minds of many people, these were much worse (and more evil) that the Communist regimes. Hitler and Mussolini were as strongly anti-Communist as the Church, it appears, but far more dangerous than the Communists. 3) If the "dancing sun" incident must be explained as a natural phenomenon, one can rule out that the sun, itself, was involved, because this "miracle" was NOT seen anywhere else in the world outside of the vicinity of Fatima. We have only ONE sun for the entire planet! The UFO theory, including a possible holographic projection of the image of Mary, is actually a more plausible explanation that that of a "miracle" involving the sun. In conclusion, I think that this is a well written, and thought-provoking book on the subject of Fatima. It is not clear to me how much "editing" Whitley Strieber was responsible for. In Chapter 17, for example, the opening sentence states

A must-reading after 9-11! Prophecy came true??

A year ago the Vatican claimed that the 3rd Secret of Fatima dealt with the past. Hesemann, the author of this fascinating book, had his doubts. How right he was.Now, after the shocking pictures of the WTC attack, we all have to realize that the 21st century is one full of dangers.The warning and mothery guidance from Fatima is more true than ever.And the vision of an old, fragile Pope, going through the ruins of a destroyed city can come true any day after a new terrorist attack...Read it NOW! This book has the key how to prevent the catastrophy... the key given directly by the Mother of God!

What a book!

The best book I have read in the last couple of years. Thrilling, fascinating, well-written and explosive. The author presents the full picture of what really happened at Fatima and why they still don't tell us everything... If he is right, the danger is not over yet. And if we look at Israel or Iraq or Russia, it looks like he is absolutely right. And still there is hope since we are not alone... A must-read for everyone who is concerned about our future... and wants evidence for the work of God in our history.

Exzellent Reading! Fascinating Subject!!

I read this book in one night. I couldn't stop. It's a mindboggling trip into a world we too easily ignore. To me it proved that God indeed is watching us, cares for us and intervenes into our history. Hesemann is an excellent writer and he takes you on a guided tour through the fascinating world of miracles and apparitions, mystics and secret messages, deep into the most secret vaults of the Vatican. Does the fearsome 3rd Secret, published by the Vatican in June, indeed refers only to the past, is it indeed only symbolic? Hesemann doubts that - with good reasons. I hope he is wrong but I am afraid he isn't... this book concerns all of us!!