Emergence of Monasticism: From the Desert Fathers to the Early Middle Ages [Paperback]

Marilyn Dunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2003

The Emergence of Monasticism offers a new approach to the subject, placing its development against the dynamic of both social and religious change.

• First study in any language to cover the formative period of medieval monasticism.
  
• Gives particular attention to the contribution of women to ascetic and monastic life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘An indispensable and valuable book.’ Times Literary Supplement

‘... the book succeeds admirably in making technical material accessible to the general reader.’ English Historical Review

‘The goal of this work, very successfully achieved, is a comprehensive view of monastic history ... throughout the book [Dunn] brings the reader quickly to understand a host of scholarly controversies without overburdening her text. Speculum

'... a thorough reading of the major secondary studies of the past generation ... The extensive notes, substantial biliography and detailed index will be of great use.' Ecclesiastical History

"This deserves to be widely recommended... a fascinating and thorough book" Morwenna Ludlow, Mind

Book Description

This is the first book to provide a comprehensive account of the emergence of monasticism from its roots in late antiquity and its transition to the early medieval West. Beginning with the search for individual perfection in the context of the religious and social climate of fourth-century Egypt, it traces the adoption and transformation of monastic ideas and practices first by the elites of the Western Roman Empire and later by the royalty and aristocracy of the so-called 'barbarian' kingdoms, including the Franks and Anglo-Saxons. It tracks the development of monastic rules and includes sections on female asceticism and monasticism, on Irish monasticism and its influence, and the developing theology of afterlife and intercession. This unique work is based on a detailed consideration of the texts, their use and adaptation, and is the first treatment of the subject to draw together social and religious approaches. The book offers a number of original perspectives on major issues and controversies.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell (March 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405106417
• ISBN-13: 978-1405106412
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,209,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Monasticism and Post Modern Faith and Life, December 23, 2006

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This review is from: Emergence of Monasticism: From the Desert Fathers to the Early Middle Ages (Paperback)

Although a rather weighty title, this book provides the ordinary reader with two things which are quite valuable: first it is extremely relevant to current faith in helping us to understand the origins of pietism in the lives of the struggling desert fathers and two, it is heavily documented for your further research and reading. Most of the lessons of life have already been learned by others and this book shares the unsettling quests of the early mystics in a way in which enables you to contrast your life and journey to their successes and failures. For me, it kept me from unrealistic expectations in my own practice of faith realizing that more earnest individuals had already attempted and failed to pursue a level of spirituality here on earth that is rather impractical. On the other hand it also provides great insights on the development and results of monasticism including the Rule of St. Benedict. Worth reading during the winter when you will not be so distracted by outside activities.