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

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

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0195120108 | ISBN-13: 978-0195120103

This is the second volume in what will be a translation with full scholarly apparatus of the entire correspondence of St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). The translation follows Van Acker's definitive new edition of the Latin text, which is being published serially in Belgium by Brepols. As in that edition, the letters are organized according to the rank of the addressees. The first volume included ninety letters to and from the highest ranking prelates in Hildegard's world: popes, archbishops, and bishops. Volume II comprises letters 91-217, in which Hildegard addresses lower-ranking spiritual leaders (abbots and abbesses, for the most part) offering advice and consolation, and is particularly noteworthy for the correspondence with Guilbert of Gembloux, who provides a wealth of information about the saint and her spiritual gift.

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

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 8, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195120108
• ISBN-13: 978-0195120103
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.8 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: #1,448,302 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.