A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica [Paperback]

Peter J. Kreeft (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1993

A shortened version of Kreeft's much larger Summa of the Summa, which in turn was a shortened version of the Summa Theologica. The reason for the double shortening is pretty obvious: the original runs some 4000 pages! (The Summa of the Summa was just over 500.) The Summa is certainly the greatest, most ambitious, most rational book of theology ever written. In it, there is also much philosophy, which is selected, excerpted, arranged, introduced, and explained in footnotes here by Kreeft, a popular Thomist teacher and writer. St. Thomas Aquinas is universally recognized as one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived. His writings combine the two fundamental ideals of philosophical writing: clarity and profundity. He is a master of metaphysics and technical terminology, yet so full of both theoretical and practical wisdom. He is the master of common sense. The Summa Theologica is timeless, but particularly important today because of his synthesis of faith and reason, revelation and philosophy, and the Biblical and the classical Greco-Roman heritages. This little book is designed for beginners, either for classroom use or individually. It contains the most famous and influential passages of St. Thomas' philosophy with copious aids to understanding them.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898704383
• ISBN-13: 978-0898704389
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #55 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Saints

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great "summa of the summa of the summa", May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of taking a class in Medieval Philosophy with Peter Kreeft. We used this text in our survey of St. Thomas Aquinas alongside G.K. Chesterton's "Dumb Ox"--which I also recommend as a secondary source. This is a wonderful introduction into the thought of one of the most brilliant minds in the history of the world. Aquinas's "Summa Theologica" is an overview of Christian philosophy and theology, according to Aquinas. It is, however, over 5,000 pages long--a bit much for the common reader. In "A Shorter Summa" Kreeft has selected and annotated the most vital sections of the Summa, making Thomas's philosophy both accurate and accessible. If you are looking for a little more to chew on, I'd advise Kreeft's other abridgment entitled "Summa of the Summa"--hence, my title. "A Shorter Summa" is a gem, packed with more knowledge than most books five times its size. I not only recommend it; I plead that you give it a whirl.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Tutorial on Aquinas, December 23, 2002

By 

Oswald Sobrino (Traverse City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica (Paperback)

Peter Kreeft of Boston College has performed a work of mercy for those of us who were cheated in college by being kept in blithe ignorance of the greatest Christian philosopher. Ironically, I was cheated at a Catholic university of exposure to Aquinas! But Peter Kreeft has provided selections of Aquinas with generous footnotes explaining and enlightening various passages and even including diagrams for those of us trying to catch up. I can comfort myself with the thought that a well annotated book by Kreeft, who is also a skilled Catholic apologist, is assuredly better than what I probably would have received anyway as an undergraduate in a decidedly confused Catholic university.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Aquinas in a Succint, Portable Format, January 25, 1999

By 

Chu H. Choi (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Shorter Summa: The Essential Philosophical Passages of Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica (Paperback)

Peter Kreeft is an excellent lecturer and writer. His works on Christian Apologetics are well-known and respected. I had the pleasure of taking a class with him at Boston College.

His "A Shorter Summa" is a very good read for serious Christians. It delivers key passages of St. Thomas Aquinas' "Summa Theologiae" in a more manageable format for modern readers. Still hard reading, this book can yield precious insights when struggled over and read diligently.

A good introduction for Christians who don't have the time or the discipline to read the real thing.