Path of the Storm

Adds a new dimension to the story, concentrating on the arduous legal battle to bring the church to account. In this new telling, the heroes are not just the survivors of the abuse but also the lawyers and advocates who have gone to bat for them. This is perhaps the most comprehensive narrative of the abuse debacle to date, and D'Antonio ... had access to key players, as well as a trove of previously unseen church files and court documents. ... The story he tells - about the culture of secrecy inside one of the world's largest religious organizations - is damning. -- The New York Times Book Review The definitive history of the Catholic Church's 'most severe crisis since the Reformation.' -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) This landmark work of recent history remains gripping and affecting to the last word. -- Booklist (starred review) A devastating chronicle not only of sexual abuse but also of abuse of power -- or, rather, of the inclination of those in power to avert their eyes from abuse. -- The Boston Globe Gripping.... Captures the drama, impact and reach of a 30-year-crisis that began before the Boston meltdown and continues today. ... A powerful and important work. -- The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) Nearly three decades of scandal, expertly exposed. ... The author weaves a captivating tale of legal drama set against the backdrop of an intransigent ecclesiastical hierarchy. The real-life characters of the story range from colorful to tragic; flamboyant lawyers, alcoholic clerics and activist abuse survivors all help make the story a true page-turner. ... In a readable manner, he has helped document a watershed era in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. Riveting and fascinating--sure to serve future generations well as they look back on this era. -- Kirkus (starred review) Mortal Sins will be the gold standard for unraveling what happened during the Catholic priests' sex abuse sc