You're right, Bill -- a better assessment of the CCC would acknowledge the historical circumstances that led to the Catechism.  The idea for the Catechism was proposed to a Synod of Bishops in 1985 by Cardinal Law of Boston who saw the Catechism as a tool for suppressing dissent.  Whether Pope John Paul asked Cardinal Law to propose the Catechism, I don't know -- but a lot of people believed he did.
And Steven is right, too: from a suggestion in late 1985 to publication in 1992, especially of such a major, comprehensive work, is a real rush job.