St. Thomas Aquinas enables the reader to appreciate both Thomas's continuity with earlier thought and his creative independence. After a useful account of the life and work of St. Thomas, McInerny shows how the thoughts of Aristotle, Boethius, and Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysius were assimilated into the personal wisdom of St. Thomas. He also offers a helpful study of the distinctive features of Aquinas's Christian theology.
McInerny ... does a good job of relating the key concepts in Aquinas's natural and supernatural theologies. This is a reliable introduction for people who are not already experts in Thomistic studies-and it has many insights for those few who are. -Vernon J. Bourke
McInerny ... has written a compact and lucid introduction to the philosophy of Aquinas that manages to be philosophical at the same time. By a liberal use of quotation and paraphrase McInerny presents Aquinas's own arguments for evaluation, drawing us into the inner works of his philosophy. This method, coupled with McInerny's sure touch, makes Aquinas speak directly and forcefully as a philosopher. -International Philosophical Quarterly
This is an excellent short introduction to the life and work of its subject. It is a pleasure to recommend this modest and distinguished book as perhaps the best short introduction to the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas available in English. -Scottish Journal of Theology
[McInerny] presents the thought of Aquinas with precision and care, and adorns it with insights which will doubtless delight, and enlighten, even the seasoned reader of Aquinas. -The Thomist
. . .an invaluable little resource book on a great thinker. -Studies in Formative Spirituality
McInerny should attract new readers to St. Thomas and give fresh insights to those who already know him somewhat. His book is remarkably comprehensive. -The Heythrop Journal
Ralph McInerny was Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies, Professor of Philosophy, and Director of the Jacques Maritain Center at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of numerous works in philosophy, literature, and journalism, including The Very Rich Hours of Jacques Maritain and Characters in Search of Their Author, both published by the University of Notre Dame Press.
