Blessed John Henry Newman: A Richly Illustrated Portrait ed. by Kathleen Dietz, FSO and Mary-Birgit Dechant, FSO (review)

85 sound advice (86–93). Finally, in relation to Newman’s beatification, two descriptions are of special interest. First is an explanation of the fact that when Newman’s grave was opened, no human remains were found:“In accordance with his own express wish,respected by his Oratorian brethren, the simple wooden coffin was covered with a form of ‘mould’ designed to speed up the process of decomposition: Newman wished out of humility, to disappear rapidly” (96). Second is a chronological account of the “Beatification Miracle” of Deacon Jack Sullivan (98–101) that was instrumental in Newman’s beatification. In sum, one hopes that this visually captivating volume will not be merely a coffee-table decoration, nor simply a memorabile of Newman’s beatification, but also a widely used introduction to Newman’s life and thought. Presuming that this book will have future printings,it would be helpful to append maps of Oxford,Birmingham and London that show the locations of the Newman-related sites mentioned in the narrative. In any case,this is a book that should be available in every Newman Center, this book is also the right size (and price) for the basic text for a college course on Newman, and, of course, this is a book that Newmanists will want to have in their personal library. John T. Ford c.s.c. The Catholic University of America Blessed John Henry Newman: A Richly Illustrated Portrait. Edited by Kathleen Dietz,FSO and Mary-Birgit Dechant,FSO. Leominster,Herefordshire,United Kingdom: Gracewing, 2010. Pages: 151. Paper: ISBN 978–0–85244–724–6. £12.99. This handsome paperback, appearing shortly before Newman’s beatification (19 September 2010), is not only an appropriate remembrance of that occasion, but also an attractive addition to one’s personal library. The text is minimal—six very short biographical sections: Beginnings, Trinity College, Oriel College, Littlemore, Oratory,Cardinalate—which are“richly illustrated”with dozens of paintings,pictures, and photographs from the collection of Newman-related items assembled by the “Spiritual FamilyThe Work”1 at what was once Newman’s monastic-like retreat in the village of Littlemore, near Oxford. The first illustration is a reproduction of the plaque on the London Stock Exchange, which indicates that Newman was born nearby; the final picture depicts the large cross that marked his grave at Rednal.2 In between are a variety of portraits of family and friends—including such well-known Tractarian leaders as John Keble (1792–1866), Edward Bouverie Pusey (1800–1882) and Richard Hurrell Froude (1803–1836), as well as lesser known but treasured friends such as John William 1 For information on the“Spiritual FamilyThe Work,”see:http://www.newmanfriendsinternational.org/ newman/). 2 At his own request, Newman was buried in the same grave as his fellow Oratorian and close friend, Ambrose Saint John (1815–1875); when their joint grave was opened as part of the process preceding his beatification, their bodies had completely disintegrated due to the dampness of the area; only a few remnants of Newman’s vestments and coffin were found; some of these remains were transferred to a reliquary at the altar dedicated to Newman at the Birmingham Oratory; see the report in the Friends of Cardinal Newman Newsletter (Birmingham:The Oratory, Christmas, 2008). BOOK REVIEWS NEWMAN STUDIES JOURNAL 86 Bowden (1798–1844) and Maria Giberne (1802–1885). In addition, there are photographs of personal items: Newman’s violin and an original musical composition, his teapot and shaving mirror, his academic hood, and his rosary. There are also color-photographs of his family’s homes in London and Ham,plus the houses at Rose Mount and Rose Bank, where his mother and sisters stayed while he was at Oxford; there is also a street-painting of Leonforte, where he became seriously ill during his visit to Sicily (1833). Among the 170 illustrations are many that did not appear either in Brian Martin’s well-illustrated biography3 nor in Susan Foister’s catalogue for the centennial exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.4 Highlighting this book’s illustrations are quotations by and about Newman— from multiple sources such as his Letters and Diaries, Autobiographical Writings, and Apologia pro Vita Sua...