Peter Maurin: Prophet in the twentieth century

by Marc H. Ellis

In Peter Prophet in the Twentieth Century , Marc H. Ellis traces Maurin's life from his early years—as peasant, brother, and Catholic activist—through his meeting with Dorothy Day. Ellis' Chronicle focuses on the consequences of that the founding of the Catholic Worker movement and newspaper, the founding of hospitality, the farming communes. Peter Prophet in the Twentieth Century is the first biography to really examine Maurin's thought. A commitment to non-violent reform and to a life of poverty were chief tenets of Maurin's philosophy; it was Maurin's notion that farmers and scholars would labor and learn together in the ideal world. Ellis discusses these and other ideas of Maurin, their development and their particular importance today.

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Marc H. Ellis is retired University Professor of Jewish Studies and Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Baylor University. Among his publications are Encountering the Jewish Future (2012), Reading the Torah Out Loud (2007), Practicing Exile (2001), Oh, Jerusalem! (1999), and Unholy Alliance (1997), all from Fortress Press. He is also a regular contributor on Mondoweiss: The War of Ideas in the Middle East with a series called Exile and the Prophetic.

Reviews

[Renée · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe this took me so long to finally pick up and read. The best biography of Peter Maurin in print. A must-read for anyone interested in social reform, Dorothy Day, Catholicism or the Catholic Worker.

[Amy Ruth Crevola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dorothy Day was the out-going, charismatic public persona of the Catholic Worker, and Peter Maurin was the catalyst, a humble, fascinating man. His "Easy Essays" were delivered orally to anyone who would listen. Dorothy listened and acted.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

just finished. i love peter maurin. worth reading.