Out of My Life and Thought: An Autobiography

by Albert Schweitzer

Published to commemorate Albert Schweitzer’s only visit to the United States 60 years ago, this anniversary edition of his autobiography gives 21st-century readers a unique and authoritative account of the man John F. Kennedy called "one of the transcendent moral influences of our century."

Schweitzer is celebrated around the world as a European pioneer of medical service in Africa, a groundbreaking philosopher and musical scholar, and a catalyst of environmental and peace activism. Yet people most revere Schweitzer for his dedication to serving others and his profound and influential ethic of reverence for life. For Schweitzer, reverence for life was not a theory or a philosophy but a discovery—a recognition that the capacity to experience and act on a reverence for all life is a fundamental part of human nature, a characteristic that sets human beings apart from the rest of the natural world.

This anniversary edition coincides with several high profile celebrations of his 1949 visit, as well as the release of a new feature film starring Jeroen Krabbe and Barbara Hershey. In addition to a foreword by Nobel Laureate and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, this edition features a new foreword by Lachlan Forrow, president of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship.

 

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Genres: Biography, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, Religion, Medicine

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

Albert Schweitzer, M.D., OM, was an Alsatian theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician. He was born in Kaisersberg in Alsace-Lorraine, a Germanophone region which the German Empire returned to France after World War I. Schweitzer challenged both the secular view of historical Jesus current at his time and the traditional Christian view, depicting a Jesus who expected the imminent end of the world. He received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his philosophy of "reverence for life", expressed in many ways, but most famously in founding and sustaining the Lambaréné Hospital in Gabon, west central Africa.

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Albert Schweitzer was undoubtedly a genius. He was a trained theologian and organist who published scholarly works in a variety of disciplines. At the age of 30, he decided to devote his life to the serving humanity. He wanted to go to Africa as a doctor, so he resigned his faculty position and enrolled in medical school. Over the next 50 years, he spent much of his time in Africa. His wife and daughter mostly stayed in Europe. The conflict between Schweitzer's devotion to his practice and his family obligations is fascinating to me and never addressed in his memoir. I would be interested in a biographer's analysis of a complicated and remarkable life.

[Joseph Gascho · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those depressing books in that when it is done you ask yourself what have I done with my life?

[Ron Henderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an autobiography, uneven and disjointed. I admire his emphasis on social action and reasoned thought as opposed to tradition and external control in religion. However, in this my first exposure to his writing, I find him just a touch too arrogant when he describes his philosophy, a little too confident that he has answered all questions. It's as if coming up with the phrase Reverence for Life suddenly settles every philosophical question. Then, in another moment, he's a self-proclaimed expert on organs and seems certain that only he knows how Bach would have performed his organ music.

Of course, he may truly have been a recognized expert in all his diverse interests, I don't know. But I wanted to hear more about what he had done for medical missions in Africa. Of course, he wrote the autobiography only midway through his life and still made several trips to Africa after its publication. Was it a little too soon to be writing an autobiography?

I could be totally wrong and I do want to look into some of his other writings as well as other biographers about him. Nevertheless, I just had the impression I would be encountering a great, brilliant, and humble man of selfless action. I found some of the selfless action, but so far have not found the humility or the depth of philosophy that I would have expected.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love, love, love Albert and all his wonderful accomplishments, however, this particular book didn't make the grade for me. His command of English prose cannot be denied, but I was hoping for highlights and insights rather than tedious description of reminiscence and recollections, whole paragraphs of which a good editor would have tossed out today. For example, pages of painstaking description of his Hebrew studies finally got to the point which was why he persevered in these studies and its effect on his later work. This is not Michner-type detail, but elongated essays on certain subjects in chronological order. Again, just not what I had hoped. There are several other good biographies published on Mr. Schweitzer that I prefer.

[Gisela Gibbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own several books about Albert Schweitzer who was a contemporary of my grandfather, himself a successful doctor and his keen admirer. This book as all the others about him is a fantastic insight into the man's life and work. A deeply dedicated man, inspiring personal achievement.

[Isaac Soon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A master of philosophy, theology, music and medicine Albert Schweitzer is a towering figure in Christian academia from the 20th century. This autobiography gives insight not only into Schweitzer’s life and work ethic (he worked non-stop, his play [i.e. playing the organ] was still also his work). He worked on multiple books at a time, built organs, and trained to be a doctor serving in Africa at numerous times. There are some jarring but honest reflections in the book, one on the “primitiveness” of the African people: “In my exchanges with these primitive people I naturally asked myself the much debated question of whether they were mere prisoners of tradition, or whether they were capable of independent thought. In my conversations I had with them I found to my surprise that they were far more interested in the elemental questions about the meaning of life and the nature of good and evil than I had supposed.”

His acceptance of colonialism is not done triumphantly but because he views it as an altruistic task: “Have we whites the right to impose our rule on primitive and semi primitive peoples? My answer to this question is based only on my own experience before and after World War I. No, if we want only to rule and draw material advantage from their country. Yes, if we seriously desire to educate them and help them to attain a state of well-being' If there was any possibility that these peoples could live by and for themselves we should leave them to themselves…Our only possible course is to exercise the power we have for the benefit of the native people and thus justify morally what we do. Even colonization can allege some acts of moral value. It has put an end to the slave trade; it has stopped the perpetual wars that the African peoples formerly waged with one another, and it has thus established a lasting peace in large portions of the world.” There is a glaring resemblance to the one sidedness of Pax Romana, and yet at the same time Schweitzer doesn’t appear very different from the way many Westerner’s today still view their work in more “primitive” nations (we just use different language like “the third world” or “the developing world”).

It might be easy to stamp a “white saviour” complex on to Schweitzer. But, in his own words, he didn’t go to Africa to save them or even to preach, although when locals asked him he would. He went because he had a remarkable sense of duty because of his privilege. He had good health, the benefits of an education, the ability to “heal” through medicine. So he went to a place where he saw had need and where he felt called to. He was an imperfect man with a lot of skills who ventured to another place to use his skills for the benefit of the people, he just happened to be white and they just happened to be black.

Schweitzer’s work as a whole comes into focus when he grapples with what is his greatest problem with the civilization he lives in: the lack of reverence for life. His defining Pauline contribution is that in Christ Christians have their Being, their very nature, some how intertwined with Christ himself (thus mysticism). For Schweitzer if Christians simply realised this fact, that they live in Messiah, it would restore some kind of dignity to the world. But, because Christianity to him has lost its foundation it does not recognise its identity and therefore can’t act accordingly: “Christianity cannot take the place of thinking, but it must be founded on it.”

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Out of My Life and Thought, Albert Schweitzer overviews the thoughts and actions that shaped the first fifty years of his life. Although Schweitzer may be best known for his medical work in Africa, Schweitzer was also an accomplished organist and theologian. He enjoyed and lectured in philosophy. He served a local church as a curate, and he taught in and was lead a seminary before becoming a medical doctor. This book tells the story of his life, but it also shares his thoughts about Christianity, spirituality and humanity. I found the book both interesting and thought-provoking.

[Valeria Macedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

read the epilogue which was incredible and his thoughts on Christianity which I found applicable to todays world

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"But however concerned I was with the suffering in the world, I never let myself become lost in brooding over it. I always held firmly to the thought that each of us can do a little to bring some portion of it to an end. Thus I gradually came to the conclusion that all we can understand about the problem is that we must follow our own way as those who want to bring about deliverance." - A.S.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer is a hero of mine and this book was on my shelf for many years. Though the writing can be dense due to the academic style and musings on the nature of Christianity, love, service, and music, it is a wonderful thing to be transported in to the words and thoughts of someone I so admire. I felt a kinship to the doctor throughout this autobiography - to his ideas surrounding Reverence for Life, service to others, and to actively experiencing life instead of accepting the words or greed, capitalism, and authority at face value. Interestingly enough, he speaks to the ills of a thoughtless world in his time: the early 1900's. Much of the same sentiment can translate to the modern day pursuits of a more materialistic society. I've scribbled notes in the margins and highlighted passages for future reference.
**Popsugar Challenge 2017: Book written by someone you admire.

[Sean Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was part of an exercise a friend gave me. He had me take my Myers-Briggs and then to search for famous people with the same final profile.

What grew on me as I read this book was a realization that the traits I most downplay in myself were actually Albert's greatest strengths. He even spoke openly of them. Which made me realize they are my greatest strengths as well.

And I fell in love with his yearning to not only be in service but to redefine civilization to unite ethics with a real view of the world - around compassion for all living things.

Note: It can be heavy lifting to push past all the organ playing and Christian research, but I found the book worth it.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self-actualizers, particularly young ones, take note: Albert Schweitzer had degrees in musicology, philosophy, theology and medicine, practicing throughout his life as both an organist and as a physician--mostly as a medical missionary, his musical performances and many publications supporting his aid work. Beyond this he was both a peace and environmental activist. Polylingual, he did charitable fundraising and political work throughout much of the world and throughout virtually all of his life, a life which ended at the age of ninety in equatorial Africa.

More than anyone else, Albert Schweitzer was the family hero at my home and at the home of my maternal grandparents.

[Les Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

An introduction to the life and thought of a great missionary, doctor to the tribes of Equatorial Africa, man of letters and theologian who was also an expert on the music of Bach and played the world's greatest music on the world's greatest church organs. From the simple truths he learned from everyday living to the deeper truths he discovered through extensive research, the book is filled with wisdom.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

See, I put this book in a lot of categories because if there ever was a renaissance man, Albert Schweitzer fits the bill. Brilliant.

[Natnat337 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really wonderful book; so inspiring. This book is the reason I've been a vegetarian for 18 years!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting guy, boring book

[Michael David · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is one verse in the Bible that speaks of only 144,000 people being saved, and if I recall correctly, it's found in Revelation. Before I had competent and patient theology professors who elucidated upon that 144,000, I became an atheist temporarily.

After all, I was an asshole, and there was no argument in that. I definitely wouldn't be saved if only 144,000 people would be, especially over the course of history. It was my mistake that I took religious literature to be literal in nature, but this book made me think.

Albert Schweitzer, honestly, definitely has the chance to be among those 144,000. Some people describe him as a modern saint, and, frankly, I respect him a lot more than Mother Teresa. Schweitzer was a genius: in this book, he describes his twenties to be productive in terms of the literature that he wrote, and he wrote analyses from Bach to Christ. He was undoubtedly a genius, but despite his family and friends' arguments, he went on to serve as a medical missionary in Africa. Unlike Teresa, he actually served the natives with his medical ability. Although his efforts could be considered futile in the grand scheme of things (and he himself recognized it), he kept on helping the Africans despite a few hours of sleep each night while still trying to develop his thoughts regarding philosophy and eschatology. He was tireless in the service of others, and was instrumental in saving thousands of people's lives during the two World Wars. He was more of a saint than Mother Teresa.

Despite my respect towards him, though, this wasn't a very creative book of his. He probably wasn't as skilled as storyteller as he was an academician, but his expositions in this autobiography weren't very enjoyable. I still admire the man from the bottom of my heart: he was a doctor I could look up to, and more importantly, a person I could look up to.

He just didn't write this autobiography very well.

[Rasmus Tillander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piirteitä elämästäni ja ajattelustani on teologi-urkuri-lääkäri Albert Schweitzerin essee-elämänkerta vuodelta 1931. Se käsittää Schweitzerin opiskeluja ja pappisajan, ensimmäisen maailmansodan sekä ensimmäiset vuodet lääkäri Gabonissa. Kirja i siis esimerkiksi pääse toiseen maailmansotaan ja vuoteen 1952 kun Schweitzer voitti Nobelin rauhanpalkinnon.

Schweitzerin elämä on kieltämättä hyvin kiinnostava, hän oli äärimmäinen monilahjakkuus konsertoiva huippumuusikko, lahjakas akateemikko ja näiden päälle hän kävi vielä lääkiksen voidakseen lähteä auttamaan sairaita maailmalle. Vaikka elämä-osuus oli kiinnostava, oli näin teologille Schweitzerin ajattelu vielä kiinnostavampaa. Hän kääntyi jo nuorena teologina liberaaliteologian puoleen ja Nietzschestä ja kriittisestä eksegetiikasta inspiroituneena pyrki löytämään elämänmyönteisen uskonnollisuuden dogmaattisen uskon raunioilta. Kirjan viimeisissä esseissä hän päätyy hieman hindulaista ahimsa-periaatetta muistuttavaan muotoiluun siitä, että ihmisenä oleminen on elämänhalua muiden elämänhalujen keskellä. Toisin kuin Schopenhauerin ajattelussa Schweitzer kuitenkin näkee elämänhalun positiivisena asiana.

Kirja oli kauniisti ja melko yleistajuisesti kirjoitettu. Ainoastaan osiot urkujen rakennuksesta jäivät itselleni hieman etäisiksi. Kirja on kestänyt hyvin aikaa, vaikka ajoittain Schweitzerin "hyväntahtoinen" kolonialismi puskeekin läpi. Toki luin tämän teologisesta, enkä niinkään kehitysavullisesta näkökulmasta. Mutta voi suositella Albert Schweitzeriin tutustumista liki kaikille.

[Sam Romilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more a collection of writings interspaced with events from his life than an autobiography. Despite it being quite heavy in places especially around church organs, and the theological discussions of Christianity, I found it an interesting but slow read. Whilst he believed himself devoutly religious it seemed to me that the more he analysed the fundamental contradictions of the bible and the different interpretations the more the absurdity of the enterprise of religion is revealed. Ironically the mission in Africa to which he applied initially wanted nothing to do with him because of the controversy of his research into the bible.

His is one of the few books about life in the First World War that revealed some compassion and mutual respect between prisoners and their jailors.

One other aspect of his thoughts I found very impressive was his awareness back in 1910 of the harm that imperialism / colonialism would bring to Africa. He was very perceptive to see that the country would be exploited for its raw materials and be sold industrialiased goods in return that would trap the continent in a never ending cycle of dependency and exploitation.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still have the Epilogue to finish but my husband is taking his Kindle with him home tomorrow. A quick look at the Epilogue makes me think that will be just fine. I tired of Schweitzer's long summaries of the books he was writing, particularly The Philosophy of Civilization. I wonder how anyone could think that he could write such a book and so confidently state that "Reverence for Life" was the answer to his quest for meaning. Sentences like "Instead the nineteenth century lost itself in the nonessentials" are just too vague and yet opinionated.

However, I do greatly admire Schweitzer and his abilities in so many facets of life--giving organ recitals, writing about Bach, preaching, teaching, doctoring, and even hands-on building and directing construction projects. He is honest about his abilities and sometimes lack of them when he talks about barely passing exams.

His wife gets mentioned rarely and his daughter gets mentioned even less--the first time two years after her birth. I may need to read a biography of Albert--and possibly Helene-to learn more

[Aaron Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Today, in addition to that neglect of thought, there is also a mistrust of it. The organized political, social and religious associations of our time are at work convincing the individual not to develop his convictions through his own thinking but to assimilate the ideas they present to him. Any man who thinks for himself is to them inconvenient and even ominous. He does not offer sufficient guarantee that he will merge into the organization.”

“Against all the evidence [the spirit of the age] refuses to admit that human progress up until today has come about through the efforts of thought. It will not recognize that thought may in the future accomplish what it has not yet achieved. The spirit of the age ignores such considerations. It’s only concern is to discredit individual thought in every possible way.”

“Just as a tree bears the same fruit year after year and at the same time fruit that is new each year, so must all permanently valuable ideas be continually created anew in thought.”

[Radu Rafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is not only about his life biography, but also about his thinking biography. He addresses questions of life, theology, ethics, music (especially Bach and organ playing) etc.
Although I don't agree with some of his ideas, I respect all his tedious research work he did during his life.
At 30 years of age he started Medical School and, once finished, he established a famous hospital for Africans at Lambarene, Gabon. He also traveled A LOT, gave speeches, lectures, concerts etc.
I find him to summarize perfectly the spiritual state of the interbelique period - the loss of reverence for life. He also was a supporter of colonialism, under certain conditions - argument which seems reasonable to me, and even confirmed by subsequent events up to present.

Finally, a man of great value, truthful to himself and to others, willing to sacrifice for the wellbeing of those in need. I highly recommend the book.

[Joan Maclin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a difficult book to rate. It is factually told by a man of remarkable, and remarkably diverse, talents who may lack a bit of modesty but stops far short of aggrandizing his achievements. They are numerous and commendable - from JS Bach scholar to performing organist, to organ builder to physician and surgeon, to biologist, to general construction contractor.

The Epilogue is worth reading and re-reading and, perhaps, is the essence of the book. The prior chapters detail the experiences that underlie the viewpoints expressed in the epilogue so they aid important context. Yet, if one were short on reading time, one would do well indeed to read and re-read the Epilogue alone.

[Daniel Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating book about an important figure I had never heard of.
Albert Schweitzer was a prolific writer, thinker and doer. Schweitzer was a world class theology, philosophy, organ, and Bach, scholar, as well as one of the world's best organ players. Schweitzer put this all aside to attend medical school, so he could move to Equatorial Africa (Gabon) and provide medical care to those in need.

Not only was Schweitzer an innovative thinker, but he was incredibly generative, agentic, and hardworking. It's always interesting to read about the lives of proto-Effective Altruists. If Schweitzer lived in today's era, he would be writing 10/10 blog posts.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was about 13, found on a shelf in the school library, and it made a huge impression on me. It was likely the first book on philosophy I read, and as someone interested in metaphysics from a young age, I was captivated. It made me think a lot about what I could do for others, instead of for myself. The school librarian let me keep the book because I loved it so much, and I still have it on my shelf. My obsession with Albert Schweitzer was apparently known around the school, as my english teacher found an old Schweitzer poster lying around and gifted it to me. I'm not sure where that went, sadly.

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mit sehr viel Ernst berichtet er von seinen theologischen Studien. Dann die Entscheidung, als Arzt nach Afrika zu gehen. Dazu in relativ hohem Alter noch Medizin studiert. Ein eitler Mann. Es geht fast nur um seine intellektuellen Leistungen und sein Orgelspiel. Auch darüber, und über Bach, hat er sich ausgelassen. Das Private kommt grotesk kurz. Gattin wird einmal in einem Nebensatz eingeführt. Natürlich muss man Respekt haben, aber er kommt nicht eben sympathisch rüber.

[Felipe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good and bad book.
I did like half of it, but half of it I didn't.
The author spends most of the book writing about his phylosophical books; his logic when writing them; and so on.
It certainly has some author's biography and life history, but, to be more accurate, it should be a book about his rational when writing his phylosophical books.

Nevertheless, Albert's life was incredible. A true loving and hardworking human being.

[RSerenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a life lived through three distinct vocations. Albert Schweitzer was a theologian, a musician, and, of course, a medical doctor. He was a master and practitioner of all three, throughout his entire life. An example of how it is possible to excel in multiple fields which is a welcome respite from our hyper-specialized focus. Follow three dreams? Why not?

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is one of my idols. World class organist and expert on Bach, a liberal bible scholar whose contribution to the field remains relevant even until now, a doctor who renounced his artistic dreams to help those in need in Africa. He is a proof that with hard work, passion, discipline, and humanity, you can achieve a lot in life.

[Francisca Villahermosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read if reverence for life is a topic of your choice. Also a window to the past in Europe and Africa around World War I. I feel lucky that I have the chance to read this biography and meet this persons doings.

[Nathan Ormond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty interesting mish mash of different things. Covers lots of the key events in Schweitzers life, some interesting arguments from New Testament studies about the historicity of Jesus and Paul's theology AND contains some really interesting philosophical stuff about Reverence for Life.