Thomas More: A Very Short Introduction

by Peter Marshall

Very Short Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

Thomas More is an enduringly fascinating and profoundly controversial figure. A brilliant scholar, his Utopia of 1516 dared to imagine how society might be completely reordered. At the same time, his hatred of the Reformation caused him to advocate, and seek to implement, the death penalty for heretics. A friend and advisor to Henry VIII, More's refusal to support Henry's break with Rome led to his execution in 1535, and the start of a long argument about his legacy.

This Very Short Introduction assesses More's life, writings and achievements, and examines changing views of his character, in both historical interpretation and various works of fiction.


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160 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2026

About the author

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name. For other authors of this name, see:

Rev. Peter Marshall, 1902-1949 - Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
Peter Marshall - Thriller, Biography, Science
Sir Peter Marshall - British Diplomat
Peter Marshall - Television Personality, Actor
Peter Marshall - Squash, Autobiography
Peter Marshall - 16th/17th Century English History
Dr. Peter Marshall - Psychology, Accounting, Finance, Fiction, Memory, Gifted Children
Peter Marshall - Autobiography, Fiction
Peter F. Marshall - U.K. Railways
Peter H. Marshall - U.K. Philosopher, Historian, Biographer, Travel, Poet
Rev. Peter J. Marshall - History, Christianity, Christian Fiction
Peter James Marshall - U.K. Philosopher, Historian: 18th Century

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Thorough, measured, and concise explanation of More’s life and key recurring ideas and themes, with good emphasis on 16th century worldviews (rather than interpreting More and his world through modern theoretical schemes).