St. Teresa of Avila

by William Thomas Walsh

A definitive life of one of the greatest Saints of the church and one of the most appealing women of all time by a master writer. Immensely sane, witty, intelligent, charming and courageous, she is the reformer of the Order of Mt. Carmel, founder of many convents and monasteries, and is universally considered the greatest mystical writer of the Church, for which she was declared "Doctor of the Church." A life filled with delight, surprises and love of God! 608 pgs, PB

Genres: Catholic, Biography, History

608 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 1943

About the author

A graduate of Yale University, William T. Walsh was a Catholic historian, educator, and author. He received international attention for his biographies Isabella of Spain and Philip II. In 1941, he was given the Laetare Medal by the University of Notre Dame. In 1944, he was given Spain's highest cultural honor, the Cross of Comendador of the Civil Order of Alfonso the Wise, and also the 1944 Catholic Literary Award of the Gallery of Living Catholic Authors.

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect biography of St. Teresa. With ample quotations from her books and beautiful, accurate explanations of her thought, it has enough material for a meditation while still remaining hugely enjoyable to read. The characters are drawn as the real people that they were, and each one is unforgettable, from poor Father Julian to the one-eyed Princess of Eboli. Through it all Teresa's indomitable and practical spirit shines through, and the reader comes to love her as a dear friend. The author's conscientious translations of her words and obvious enjoyment of St. Teresa's personality show his devotion, and it is clear to see that this book was a labor of love.

[FR ADRIAN G HEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinates, and inspires imitation

We need histories like this to encourage us to persevere in following “the road less travelled” and not faint on the way.

[Katie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author makes whatever he writes about come alive. I love this saint and since reading this book I got so comfortable, so familiar with her that Teresa has become my confidante and I submit questions to her knowing how expert she was at reading people that when I pray for her assistance I know she can see through to my true character and intentions.
I loved the story of a screaming woman hitting Teresa over the head with a shoe, sure that Teresa had stolen the other one. During Mass!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but at times I felt like I was kept at an arm's length from Saint Teresa while reading it. The book is incredibly well documented, and provides great detail on the events in her life, so the writing is certainly thorough. I just never really felt connected to her through this biography. Oh well...nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

[Pablo Galiana]

Biografía de la Santa, a la vez que una historia de la reforma carmelitana que llevó a cabo. Lectura amena y asequible a cualquiera. Contiene abundantes testimonios escritos por la misma Santa Teresa, y se adentra en su vida de oración y mortificación. Requiere un mínimo de formación para valorar la descripción que hace el autor sobre las discrepancias entre carmelitas “calzados” y “descalzos”.

[António Mendes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta biografia, além do contexto histórico, oferece transcrições relativamente compridas dos vários livros de S. Teresa, em que ela fala sobre a oração. Isto é muito positivo. Gostava que tivesse desenvolvido um pouco mais o ambiente histórico, mas o que apresenta é suficientemente para prender a atenção.

[Domenick Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. It is refreshing to read about how saints were not push overs. St. Teresa persevered through many trial especially about high ranking people spreading lies about her reform.

[Eric Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly detailed look at one of the leading saints of the Catholic Reformation era and her spirituality.

[Teresa Cox]

wonderful book