I have to admit, after my weeks of Amazon frustration, this big Barnes and Noble sale did me a world of good. Because, as I mentioned to one correspondent, I wrote this book, (as well as almost every other book I do) with an evangelistic/apologetic stance in mind, and one that is subtle, non-threatening, but grounded in my conviction of what the truth is, and, further, that this truth matters and reveals life to be supremely – and eternally – meaningful. It’s a stance honed over nine years of high school teaching, which is basically preaching 25-30 homilies a week to the toughest, most cynical congregation around.

Hooray for Catholic bookstores, yeah. But give me space in the secular stores and I’m even happier. And – that’s tough. Tougher than you might think.

Bottom line: I’m not very interested in preaching to the choir. Unless the choir is buying my book for their unchurched grandchildren.