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Memory and Identity: Personal reflections by Pope John Paul II 208 Pages Publisher: Orion Publishing (February 25, 2005) Price : $39.90 (Singapore) Review by Susanna Kulatissa

This book is a clutch of questions and answers. Though it grapples with theology, history and politics, it's message is ultimately a spiritual one.

Wading through references to Church ideology can prove daunting. But everytime it starts to overwhelm, the late pontiff offers a profoundly simple yet inspiring insight, placing God and goodness squarely at the centre of this book.

As a young man, the Pope endured many hardships. He lost both his parents, endured Nazi and Soviet occupation of Poland and he talks about how all of these events influenced his life.

The real reward awaits the reader at the end where Pope John Paul recalls his meeting with assassin Ali Agca, who's bullet he survived. He writes:

"Ali Agca had probably sensed that over and above his own power, over and above the power of shooting and killing, there was a higher power.He then began to look for it. I hope and pray that he found it. "

It's through his compassionate account of this meeting that we finally encounter the man so many in the world have come to know and love.

Susanna Kulatissa is the Executive Editor of Prime Time Morning.