The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods [Paperback]

A. G. Sertillanges (Author), Mary Ryan (Translator), SJ James V. Schall (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

This edition includes a new foreword by James V. Schall, S.J.

Sertillanges asks in the preface of the 1934 edition of The Intellectual Life: "Do you want to do intellectual work?" He follows with the prescription: "Begin by creating within you a zone of silence, a habit of recollection, a will of renunciation and detachment which puts you entirely at the disposal of work; acquire that state of soul unburdened by desire and self-will which is the state of grace of the intellectual worker. Without that you will do nothing, at least nothing worth while."

First published in 1920, this classic has been repeatedly reprinted and continues to inspire and instruct young scholars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Discusses with a wealth of illustration and insight such subjects as the organization of the intellectual worker's time, materials, and his life; the integration of knowledge and the relation of one's specialty to general knowledge; the choice and use of reading; the discipline of memory; the taking of notes, their classification and use; and the preparation and organization of the final production." -- The Sign

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"I would put The Intellectual Life on the desk of every serious student, and most of the unserious ones. . . . We should read through this classic book, make its teachings ours after our own manner. Adapting what Sertillanges suggests to our own computer, to our own books, to our own hours of the day or night should be no problem. The book will have an abiding, concrete effect on our lives. If we follow its outlines, it will make us alive in that inner, curious, delightful way that is connoted by the words in the book's magnificent title--The Intellectual Life. I see no reason for settling for anything less. The great French Dominican still teaches us how to learn, but only if we are free enough to let him teach us."-from the Foreword by James V. Schall, S.J.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Catholic University of America Press; Reprint edition (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813206464
• ISBN-13: 978-0813206462
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Methodology
  • #29 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Modern

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars research as a search for truth September 3, 2001

By Jerry Dwyer

Format:Paperback

I first read this book as an undergraduate and I have reread it several times over the years. I regard it as one of the most important books that I've read. Why? A. G. Sertillanges does more than provide advice about how to organize your life to have time to think and write, although he does that. He argues that research is a vocation to find the truth -- a great calling no matter how small one's own part. His suggestions for organizing your life follow from the seriousness of this vocation, advice that's far more useful than merely how to get the next paper written.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Reflective October 22, 2003

By Dr. W. G. Covington, Jr.

Format:Paperback

Originally published in French, the translator tells us in the preface that the book was widely distributed in France. The first chapter of the book, per se establishes the premise that the intellectual life is a calling from God, one that is sacred and to be held as a trust.
In the second chapter there is a section on the spirit of prayer, among other topics.
Chapter three develops the paradox of solitude and involvement with other people. An intellectual, as is the case with other creative individuals, does both.
Work is the topic for chapter four and the contexts include: continuity of work, work at night, mornings and evening, and moments of plenitude.
A creative scholar must be open to insights around him.
"Ideas emerge from facts; they also emerge from conversations, chance occurrences, theatres, visits, strolls, the most ordinary books" (p. 73).
The remainder of the book fleshes out this discussion of intellectual work.
A reader would leave this book a more thoughtful person from having been exposed to these ideas. I recommend spending time with this author.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Challenge of Christian Academia June 22, 2000

By Joshua F. Drake

Format:Paperback

Sertillanges delivers the reader a concentrated dose of sound advice on how to understand and obey the call to Christian scholarship. In addition to pragmatic material on life as an Academic, the author unfolds the truth that knowledge is "nothing more than a slow and gradual cure of our blindness." This insightful book is a must read for anyone who is feels a call to excellence in scholarship.