Pope John Paul II was born in a small village in southern Poland and originally wanted to write plays. In World War II he repeatedly escaped German round-ups of young men, and managed to continue writing and acting in theatre. He rose to an influential position in the Church during the Cold War and became one of those most responsible for the overthrow of communist tyranny in his country, yet at the same time he colluded in protecting despotism in Latin America. This paradox is among the aspects of John Paul's life and character explored in this biography.