G.K. Chesterton's brilliant sketch of the life and thought of Thomas Aquinas is as relevant today as when it was published in 1933. Then it earned the praise of such distinguished writers as Etienne Gilson; Jacques Martain; and Anton Pegis as the best book ever written on the great thirteenth-century Dominican. Today Chesterton's classic stands poised to reveal Thomas to a new generation. Chesterton's Aquinas is a man of mystery. Born into a noble Neapolitan family; Thomas chose the life of a mendicant friar. Lumbering and shy -- his classmates dubbed him "the Dumb Ox" -- he led a revolution in Christian thought. Possessed of the rarest brilliance; he found the highest truth in the humblest object. Having spent his life amid the vast intricacies of reason; he asked on his deathbed to have read aloud the Song of Songs; the most passionate book in the Bible.As Albert the Great; Thomas's teacher; predicted; the Dumb Ox has bellowed down the ages to our own day. Chesterton's book will enlighten those who would consign Thomas to the obscurity of medieval times. It will confound those who would use Thomas to bolster arid schemes of Christian rationalism. Rather; it will introduce the wondrous mystery of the man who; after a life of unparalleled genius; was seized by a vision of the Unknown and said; "I can write no more. I have seen things which make all my writings like straw."
#42511 in Books Jill Jonnes 2004-10-12 2004-10-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.99 x 1.00 x 5.16l; .75 #File Name: 0375758844464 pagesEmpires of Light Edison Tesla Westinghouse and the Race to Electrify the World
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Illuminating.By CustomerIlluminating history of three men who moved us into a brighter world; and the dark side of history in this account that never reached American history classes. The author attempts to spice up what could be a dry subject with too many adjectives; which tends to undermine the credibility of the historical interpretation in places; but overall a very worthwhile read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Electricity and the Giants who presented us with it!By B. StahrI love books on history and the advances of man. This book presents the abbreviated biographies of three great inventive pioneers woven together with the story of the use and advancement of electricity. While we take the use of electricity and the many instruments that function because of electricity for granted; this book presents in a well organized fashion the difficulties overcome in its development. From DC to AC. From Arc lighting to the famous incandescent bulbs. Wow; how the developments of these men and their ideas of what electricity could give to the world such a remarkable power harnessed to make man's life a little easier. Tracing the ideas to fruition of these great men; interweaves the capitalist mentality required to make a dream live. There is so much written in such a short book; and yet I found difficulty in putting the book down as it was an enjoyable read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Three American PioneersBy Old SailorThis book gives an individual account of these three great electrical pioneers and inventors; but also shows how their work and their lives were interconnected. Both Tesla and Westinghouse started at university but did not complete; and Thomas Edison did not even complete grade school.As well as their electrical inventions; they all branched out into associated fields. Tesla made radio transmissions before Marconi; Edison invented the phonograph and also a way of extracting iron ore by magnetism; and George Westinghouse pioneered the steam turbine for marine propulsion in USA. Long after his death in 1914; Westinghouse steam turbines were installed in the world's fastest liner; ss United States; in 1952.On a personal level the three men were courteous and approachable; Westinghouse treated his employees very well but Edison was not so generous to his. Westinghouse had a long and happy marriage and Edison was married twice; with six children who saw very little of their workaholic father. Nikola Tesla lived into his eighties; but remained unmarried; and was said to have lived a celibate life. He died alone in a New York hotel room in 1943.At the end of the book; the author reminds us that electric light has changed the true meaning of 'night'; we have lost the character and the poetry of the night that earlier generations knew.Before his death; Tesla said he had 'an inexpressible satisfaction that my polyphase system has lightened the burdens of mankind and increased their comfort and happiness'
