The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen: Volume I [Hardcover]

Hildegard of Bingen (Author), Joseph L. Baird (Editor), Radd K. Ehrman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1994 | Series: Letters of Hildegard of Bingen

The first translation into English of the complete correspondence of the remarkable twelfth-century Benedictine abbess Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), this study consists of nearly four hundred letters, in four projected volumes. Addressed to some of the most notable people of the day, as well as to some of humble status, the correspondence reveals the saint in ways her more famous works leave obscure: as determined reformer, as castigating seer, as theoretical musician, as patient adviser, as exorcist. Sometimes diffident and restrained, sometimes thunderously imperious, her letters are indispensable to understanding fully this luminary of medieval philosophy, poetry, and music. In addition, they provide a fascinating glimpse at life in tumultuous twelfth-century Germany, beset with schism and political unrest. This first volume includes ninety letters to the highest ranking prelates in Hildegard's world--popes, archbishops, and bishops. Three following volumes will be divided according to the rank of the addressees.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The two already published volumes are exemplary. The translations read well, the notes are helpful, and the brief bibliography and indexes enhance the readability of the text."--Commonweal

"The appearance of the second volume of translations of Hildegard's letters...is an event to be welcomed. It makes accessible, in readable and accurate translations, another tranche of Hildegard's correspondence." --Catholic Historical Review --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195089375
• ISBN-13: 978-0195089370
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,774,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mediaeval Masterpiece, March 9, 2007

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This review is from: The Letters of Hildegard of Bingen: Volume III (Hardcover)

Here, in the third volume of a three volume set
is the translation of the written correspondence
between Hildegard of Bingen and many of her contemporaries.
Included among her pen pals are some of the most well-known
figures in history.

If you have any interest in Medieval history
and Christian theology/philosophy,
these letters from one of the greatest Christian mystics,
spiritual masters, theologians, artists, musicians
and intellectuals of all time must be included in your library.
You will read it again and again.

It is the kind of book that is hard to stop reading.
Because the letters are short, you can sample the book
for only a few minutes at a time.

A visionary, having received private revelations
from God from the age of five years,
she kept them mostly to herself until in her 40's
when instructed by the Pope to share them.
Many of her letters contain revelations that may not
be recorded elsewhere. How cool is that!

Unfortunately, all three volumes of her letters
in the English translation are out of print.
Get them if you can find them.