A Thomas More Sourcebook [Paperback]

Thomas More (Other Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813213762 | ISBN-13: 978-0813213767 | Publication Date: August 2004

This Source Book brings together classic texts by and about Thomas More—poet, scholar, statesman, family man, educational reformer, philosopher, historian, and saint. In addition to serving as an introduction to More’s life and writings for the general reader, this collection is a helpful companion to the study of More’s literary and philosophical masterwork, Utopia, and to the study of sixteenth-century history, literature, philosophy, or politics. The writings focus upon More’s views of education, political theory, church-state relations, love and friendship, practical politics, and the vexing issues of conscience. They shed light on the distinctive Christian humanism that More expressed and embodied. Also included in this book are three famous sixteenth-century accounts of More’s life by Erasmus, Roper, and a team of London playwrights including William Shakespeare.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gerard B. Wegemer is Professor of English at the University of Dallas. An expert on Thomas More, he is the author and editor of numerous works including Thomas More on Statesmanship and Thomas More: A Portrait of Courage. Stephen W. Smith is Assistant Professor of English at Hillsdale College and coeditor of Shakespeare’s Last Plays: Readings in Literature and Politics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 395 pages
• Publisher: Catholic University of America Press (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813213762
• ISBN-13: 978-0813213767
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to Renaissance studies!, November 4, 2004

By 

Elaine Zajano (Wallingford, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Thomas More Sourcebook (Paperback)

What a great contribution these authors have made to the world of Renaissance and Thomas More studies! This comprehensive anthology provides a wealth of primary sources as well as related materials on Thomas More and his world. Due to the multi-faceted character of its subject, this book will be of interest to historians, biographers, educators, theologians, writers, politicians, and many others as well. The "Man for All Seasons" was a lawyer, judge, husband and father, scholar, counselor to the king, and martyr, and this rich source book provides the background to the inner man. The authors begin with contemporary biographies and sketches of More, then explore samples of his own works. Selections from his early poems and letters are followed by some of his writings on education (he was a trend-setter in promoting education of women), government, and religion. The closing section, "More's Last Days", includes samples of his letters, various accounts of his trial, and the Paris Newsletter report on his execution.

This book provides a solid foundation for More studies and would serve as an excellent college text. Following an informative Introduction, a treasury of More-related material is provided. Even the Elizabethan play "Munday and Shakespeare's 'Sir Thomas More'" is provided in its entirety. Explanatory introductions are given to all selections, and clear glosses enrich the text throughout the book. Perhaps the only thing one might miss here is More's most famous work, "Utopia", but for study at this level, it certainly deserves to be treated separately, in its entirety.

This handsome and convenient text is further enriched by a lovely collection of portraits and other related artworks, even reproductions of pages from More's prayer book (showing his own hand-written additions). Helpful material at the end of the book includes several chronologies, some original well-annotated maps, and a very thorough Index. These tools should prove most useful to More scholars.

In sum, I feel that this book provides a wonderful tool for those who explore the world of Renaissance England and the person of Thomas More. We can only be grateful that Professors Wegemer and Smith foresaw the need for this book and did such a fine job in producing it.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thomas More Source Book, March 22, 2006

By 

Melissa Laurel (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Thomas More Sourcebook (Paperback)

Although some scholars purchase this book as part of the class and lecture series on Thomas More, I bought it to console myself since I could not attend a class.
I was impressed by Thomas More's clarity of thought and ability to decide "the right thing to do" at each turn in his life. Clearly, many of his contemporaries admired him for this characteristic of his as well, as their contributions to this book show. I enjoyed the thought-provoking depth which Thomas More shares through his own writing.