The King's Good Servant but God's First : The Life and Writings of Saint Thomas More [Paperback]

James Monti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Thi biography of St. Thomas More explores his devotion to his family, the roots of his spiritual and intellectual formation, his participation in the Renaissance of Christian humanist scholarship, and the state of the pre-Reformation Church.

Product Details

• Paperback: 497 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Pr (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898706254
• ISBN-13: 978-0898706253
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #622,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Unique and Fair Perspective, January 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The King's Good Servant but God's First : The Life and Writings of Saint Thomas More (Paperback)

This book attempts to understand Thomas More on his own terms. It is sympathetic to More in the sense that it allows More to defend his views in his own words and instead of trying to find weaknesses to exploit, it attempts to put More's thoughts into context and explain how they fit together to form a comprehensive and consistent whole. You may not like More any better after reading this biography, but you'll certainly understand him better. It is the most honest work I have read on More because it is written by a man whose interest is in More himself, not by someone who simply wants to use a biography as a vehicle to promote his own sociological, political or theological agenda. Short of reading all of More's published works, it seems to be the best way for the reader to be able to listen to More himself, not someone's "spin" or "take" on him. That is why it is so helpful. One really gets a feel for More, his personality, spirituality, political thinking, and family life. I must admit that I've had to reevaluate my thoughts on Thomas More and the whole Reformation. I guess there truly are two sides to every story! Read critically, its a very good book -- but be careful, it might challenge some of your long-standing assumptions.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "A Fine Exposition of More's Life and Writings", August 4, 2002

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The King's Good Servant but God's First : The Life and Writings of Saint Thomas More (Paperback)

James Monti's work, "The Kings Good Servant But God's First," provides an excellent overview St Thomas More's life and writings; but a much greater focus is based upon his writings. Monti's treatment of More's oeuvre is skillfully researched, comprehensive, informative, and pleasing to read. St Thomas More's defense of Church unity and the Sacraments against Tyndale and the rising tide of the Reformation, is finely commented upon in a clear and concise fashion. His devotional writings and correspondence with family in the waning days of his life on earth, are given an exceptional touch of intimacy, which will no doubt compel readers to seek out works such as the "Treatise upon the Passion" and the "Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation" (as one of our fellow reviews has pointed out as well). As for More's life, Monti pays particular attention to his early years and his final days, with brief expositions in between on his rise in the King's court and his later relations with Henry VIII as tensions began to swell between the English monarch and the Papacy. Overall, Monti presents a noble sketch of the Christian scholar and family man, graced with charm and good humor, conscientiousness and candor, who was devoted to his friends and family, and to the salvation of souls and Christ's Church. This book offers much material for in-depth study and further reading, and it is a definite recommendation.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ...those who would lose their life for my sake will find it., August 11, 2003

By 

Thomas More (Scenic Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The King's Good Servant but God's First : The Life and Writings of Saint Thomas More (Paperback)

This is an excellent biography of a courageous saint whose faith in God was stronger than his fear of death. While the book provides sufficient historical detail and background, its narrative structure is unique in that the author places events within the context of More's faith. Thankfully, Monti avoids a posthumous psychoanalysis of his subject (as many biographers are wont to do). Instead, he illuminates the saint's inner life by tapping into More's own thoughts, as revealed in his published works and correspondence. The result is a rich portrait of a man whose warmth and courage derived directly from his faith in God and the Catholic Church.

Monti synthesizes More's apologetical writings in response to the Reformation, revealing More's keen theological acumen. What impressed me the most, however, was discovering the depth and richness of More's spirituality and faith. More's insight into Christ's agony in the garden of Gethseme and during His passion were particularly moving. It becomes clear that More's understanding and appreciation of Christ's suffering strenthened his faith when he needed it most.

I would especially recommend this inspirational book to young people, who could choose no better role model than Saint Thomas More. He stands as a beacon of light in today's culture of moral relativism.