A Brief Life of Thomas Aquinas: The Theologian in His Context

by Jean-Pierre Torrell

Genres: Catholic

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 20, 2024

Reviews

[Cheryl Beseler · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want an overview of the life and teachings of Thomas Aquinas, this is an excellent read. It is an overview of his extensive life's work in writing, teaching, and ministry during the 13th century. The biographical profile gives the reader insight into how intellectual endeavors were inextricably linked to religion before the age of science. What is most interesting is to realize how people explained the role in a universe that could not possibly have understood in the way that we understand it today. What was most amazing was just how productive Thomas Aquinas was in writing volumes before the age of the printing press, although he had students and scribes to assist. This is a very brief overview about Aquinas' thinking about God and how one should live one's life.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short (just under 200 pages) introduction to the life and works of St. Thomas Aquinas. I read this for a class this fall and reread before the final. It is a great companion to reading his works and encourages me to read his more exclusively spiritual works that are not assigned in grad school. Aquinas is not the most accessible theologian but is very much worth the effort he requires!

This is a translation from the French and unfortunately has some typos. It deserves better proofreading! I believe this book is condensed from Torrell's large two-volume study of Thomas's life and works -- I hope to read it at some point, but this is a great introduction to Thomas.

[Anya Ciccone · Rating 5 out of 5]

great great great. Goes as deep as it can with the limited space it has, but it's the perfect jumping off point for those curious to go further and, more importantly, is synthetic enough that it gets something more complex about Aquinas' thought across. Even for people who are experts it's a good structure to elaborate upon when doing research.