text: I have never felt strongly about the liturgical wars and can certainly appreciate the beauty of the TLM. In either form much depends on the priest and the parish culture. I'm not at all familiar with the 1945 missal! I don't care for the Douay-Rheims and prefer the RSV.
  
  I would highly recommend both books. I should warn you that the Kertzer is unflattering to Pius XII, though it is mainly concerned with his career as Secretary of State Pacelli and barely touches on his papacy. I'm a great admirer of Garry Wills. His devotional books were among the discrete influences that led me back to Christianity and eventually the church. It makes me sad to think of it now.
  
  Anyway, I hope you enjoy!