John Henry Newman: A Biography (Oxford lives) - Softcover

Ker, I. T.

4.33

76 ratings by Goodreads

9780192827050: John Henry Newman: A Biography (Oxford lives)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192827057 ISBN 13: 9780192827050

Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks, 1999

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This full-length life of John Henry Newman is the first comprehensive biography of the man as well as the thinker and writer. It takes advantage of the publication during the last two or three decades of most of Newman's letters and papers, and also makes use of previously unpublished materials, to reveal Newman's character in all its complexity and contrasts: the legendary sadness and sensitivity are placed in their proper perspective by being set against his qualities of exuberance, humour, and toughness. Justice is done to the fullness of Newman's achievement and genius: the Victorian "prophet" or "sage", who ranks among the major English prose writers; the dominating religious figure of the 19th century, who can now be recognized as the forerunner of the Second Vatican Council and the modern ecumenical movement; and finally, the universal Christian thinker, whose significance transcends his culture and time.

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Review:

As splendid and enthralling a Life as I have had in my hands for many a day...Ker's portraits, not only of Newman and the principal figures of his life, but of many wholly subsidiary characters, spring to life on page after page ( Bernard Levin, The Times)

Absorbing...gives us the truest portrait of Newman of any we possess ( Roderick Strange, Sunday Times)

Not only the best "life" of Newman, but one of the best biographies of any great nineteenth-century writer ( Kathleen Tillotson, Modern Literary Review)

Monumental...the impact of this book is nothing short of revolutionary...a work of the largest scope and penetration ( Edwin M. Yoder, The Washington Post)

The reissue of this important biography... will be welcomed, not only by those already deeply engaged with Newman's life and work, but also with that ever increasing number of people in whom recent events and the advancement of the canonisation process have aroused an interest in his real personality... Ian Ker's book, running to some 770 pages, is bthe modern biography for the modern reader... With Newman's canonisation fully expected by the end of this year the appearance of this book provides an opening into a new stage of a great man's posthumous life. Newman's rich legacy, in so many areas of history, theology, philosophy and culture, let alone spirtuality, continues to benefit us all. ( Peter Costello, The Irish Catholic)

Beautiful, thorough ... Ker's biography is the leader in a crowded and partisan field. Both for its detail, and sympathetic reading of his subject, this biography should continue to serve as the standard life of Newman for some time to come ( Matthew Boyleston, Reformation 21)

Revised and updated since its first publication in 1988, this masterly biography makes clear how Newman came to cut such a commanding intellectual and spiritual figure in his own age and today. ( Michael Kerrigan, The Scotsman)

Throughout, the proseis lucid and engaging, the analysis is thorough and the coverage of the subject is extensive. ( Alison Jack, Expository Times)

The additional material...makes the biography the most comprehensive and up-to-date study of Newman available. Fr Ker must be commended for a work which invaluably contributes to an historically true and fundamentally honest understanding of one of the greatest thinkers of our age. ( Simon Caldwell, Catholic Herald)

Ian Ker, truly the world's renowned expert on Newman studies, presents an engaging biography ... [T]his title certainly needs to be in every academic library. ( Catholic Library World)

The quotations, especially from the letters, are a revelation and delight. ( P. J. Kavanagh, Spectator)

Accurate, meticulous, tirelessly sympathetic and full of thoughtELa rare bird in the wastelands of modern biography. ( Eric Griffiths, Sunday Telegraph)

It will be valued for many years, perhaps for ever, as the definitive chronicle of a life which fascinated the Victorians and has not ceased to fascinate since ( David L. Edwards, Church Times)

About the Author:

Ian Ker is Senior Research Fellow at St Benet's Hall, Oxford.

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