Hildegard of Bingen and Her Vision of the Feminine [Paperback]

Nancy Fierro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1994

In a response to our culture's hunger for a renewed relationship to our vital feminine roots, Nancy Fierro digs her hands into the rich soil of our past and unearths the nourishing bounty of Hildegard of Bingen. From her early experience of abandonment, through her numinous call, her descent into illness, her evolving capacity to embody the light and shadow of her nature, Hildegard's journey is an individuation tale. Dr. Fierro's keen vision gifts us with a Hildegard who is profoundly religious, humanly flawed, creative, sensual, practical, determined, and generous. As a woman who must express the multidimensionality of her whole being to stay truly sane, Hildegard is a sister to us all.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nancy Fierro, CSJ, is a noted concert pianist and lecturer.

From AudioFile

Saint Hildegard was a nun who died in 1179 at 81. Her accomplishments are impressive even by today's super-woman standards. Sent to a convent at age eight, Hildegard realized her gifts as a mystic. She used these gifts as a physician, composer, scholar, champion of the feminine and head of the monastery she founded. Fierro writes simplistically and reads with maternal, patronizing inflections, which sound as if she's reading to a young child. Based on a short book, the program contains long segments of flute music composed by Hildegard. In concluding remarks, an editor notes that musicologist Fierro is herself a religious. D.W.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 51 pages
• Publisher: Sheed & Ward (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556127537
• ISBN-13: 978-1556127533
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Congregations & Orders > Members
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Sociology
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Feminist

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspired Life is Brought to Life for Us, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hildegard of Bingen and Her Vision of the Feminine (Audio Cassette)

The extraordinary life of 12th century German nun Hildegard of Bingen, virtually unknown until recently, is presented by Nancy Fierro with clarity and a sense of expansive generosity. Hildegard was a gifted woman, a nulti-dimentional artist, whose mystical visions became manifest in a vast body of work that encompassed music, writing, medicine, art, and spiritual leadership. Fierro, whose research into Hildegard's legacy has obviously been extensive and detailed, invites the contemporary listener to not only learn intriguing details about this amazing visionary, but more significantly, to be magnetized to that field of ongoing contemplative insight which was Hildegard's true home. Colorful, inspired, and decisive, Fierro's fluid, engaging presentation reflects both scholarship and a vibrant reverence for her subject. For those seeking a comprehensive overview of the life of Hildegard of Bingen, this is an excellent resource.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Primer on Hildegard of Bingen's life and times, October 30, 1999

By 

Bickel93 "bickle93" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hildegard of Bingen and Her Vision of the Feminine (Audio Cassette)

I recently purchased this tape in the hopes in increasing my knowledge of women leaders and role models, especially from medieval and renaissance times. The tape is excellent. Fierro's grasp of Hildegard's life is inspiring. She weaves the story of Hildegard's life as a woman religious and a woman searching for creative and spiritual development in a world that would just as soon she didn't exist. In my search for materials on Hildegard, including a trip to Bingen, I found numerous books on her life and vast array of talents, most in German, unfortunately, and very few that focus on her music. Fierro's tape provides a wonderful bridge from the scholarly world to everyday life. Her voice resonated through my car speakers as did the beautiful and haunting flute music based on Hildegard's writings. I would recommend this tape to everyone interested in learning about Hildegard of Bingen, especially those who are time stressed. My only complaint about the tape would be that it wasn't long enough, but I suppose Part II is being worked on as we speak. Great tape!!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complex material made clear an easily understandable, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hildegard of Bingen and Her Vision of the Feminine (Audio Cassette)

I have practically worn out this tape listening to it over an over again. It gave me a great deal of information about Hildegard and made me hungry to know more about this medieval phenomenon. I like the way the author presents what could be very complex material in an easy and understandable way. Her voice is unobtrusive and lets me concentrate on the content. Flute interludes put me in a relaxed state of mind. I would without question recommend this tape to anyone who wants a basic introduction to Hildegard, and her world.