What constitutes Lincoln’s political greatness as a statesman? As a great leader; he saved the Union; presided over the end of slavery; and helped to pave the way for an interracial democracy. His great speeches provide enduring wisdom about human equality; democracy; free labor; and free society. Joseph R. Fornieri contends that Lincoln’s political genius is best understood in terms of a philosophical statesmanship that united greatness of thought and action; one that combined theory and practice. This philosophical statesmanship; Fornieri argues; can best be understood in terms of six dimensions of political leadership: wisdom; prudence; duty; magnanimity; rhetoric; and patriotism. Drawing on insights from history; politics; and philosophy; Fornieri tackles the question of how Lincoln’s statesmanship displayed each of these crucial elements.Providing an accessible framework for understanding Lincoln’s statesmanship; this thoughtful study examines the sixteenth president’s political leadership in terms of the traditional moral vision of statecraft as understood by epic political philosophers such as Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Fornieri contends that Lincoln’s character is best understood in terms of Aquinas’s understanding of magnanimity or greatness of soul; the crowning virtue of statesmanship. True political greatness; as embodied by Lincoln; involves both humility and sacrificial service for the common good. The enduring wisdom and timeless teachings of these great thinkers; Fornieri shows; can lead to a deeper appreciation of statesmanship and of its embodiment in Abraham Lincoln.With the great philosophers and books of western civilization as his guide; Fornieri demonstrates the important contribution of normative political philosophy to an understanding of our sixteenth president. Informed by political theory that draws on the classics in revealing the timelessness of Lincoln’s example; his interdisciplinary study offers profound insights for anyone interested in the nature of leadership; statesmanship; political philosophy; political ethics; political history; and constitutional law.
#837557 in Books Goergen Donald J Op 2016-03-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.90 x .50 x 5.40l; .0 #File Name: 0809149540160 pagesSt Dominic The Story of a Preaching Friar
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. a man fully free and aliveBy John RisleyI would recommend this book to all Dominicans but also to others who will like how holy and yet human he is. Goergen reveals an exciting Saint with an exciting legacy.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Is this not much like the world of the 21st centuryBy CustomerIn this new telling of the story of St. Dominic de Guzman; founder of the Dominicans; the image that takes shape is that of a dear friend; a brother; a father; a guide of souls; and yes; also a preacher; an organizer; a diplomat; a wisdom figure. Fr. Donald Goergen; OP writes from long years of a deep relationship with someone who has become a model and mentor in his own life and ministry. Here he shares with us this personal friendship to show us that Dominic can be a close friend of each of us too.In the 13th century the world was in transition. Is this not much like the world of the 21st century? In the earlier time the changes in culture were economic commerce; growth of population; urbanization; rise in lay literacy. These were as life changing as some of the scientific and cultural transitions which we face today. A new way of life was needed at that time to use the new knowledge; energies and understandings that were emerging. A new evangelization; a new way of apostolic life was needed. The author shows that Dominic understood this and rose to the occasion.This account describes the efforts of Dominic in ministry and preaching in Languedoc during very stressful and dangerous times. Toulouse was under interdict and war was ravaging the countryside. Dominic had not joined the crusade; but tried to serve the poor people who were suffering from the strife. Fr. Goergen asks; “Did Dominic unostentatiously move around from town to town; preaching; trusting in the power of truth; holding debates; making some conversions; and fostering peace?†That struck me as very similar to the situations in which our brothers and sisters are ministering today to the people of Iraq and Syria.The world has usually depicted Dominic as the founder of the Order of Preachers; a world-wide religious institute of women and men at the service of the Gospel. However; Fr. Goergen shows that what probably began as simply a dream of both Dominic and Diego for a diocesan preaching band; gradually grew and developed; becoming a collaborative venture including Bishop Fulk. And the idea which they presented to Pope Innocent was transformed through discussion and dialogue to become a worldwide Order of Preachers. Dominic’s early expectation was to be a preacher; nothing more. But the Divine Will was guiding him through circumstances. As the movement grew and developed he had to provide for a stable organization. This was the task God gave him and in obedience he took up the challenge. But all was done; not from the top down; but in consultation with the Brothers.Beautifully portrayed by Fr. Goergen is Dominic’s collaboration with women. He shows how Dominic enjoyed working with women and helped them bring about the establishment of a new kind of monastic life. “They were family for Dominic as much as were his friars preachers.â€There is exquisite demonstration in several places of the very human and tender relationships which Dominic maintained with his friends and brothers. Special friendships were a strong part of his manly character which was broad enough to include women as well as men; rich and poor; laity and clerics.This book is an excellent choice to read in the Jubilee Year of Mercy because St. Dominic constantly preached mercy. He gave his life in efforts to bring misguided souls to the truth and reunite them in the fold of the Church. Condemnation and punishment were not part of his method; but rather kindness; forgiveness; reconciliation.Meticulous references placed as footnotes do not interrupt the story line; but give the scholarly reader all the further information for delving deeper into the sources. These notes; plus the bibliography for further reading; provide for very fruitful study deeper into the life of this glorious saint who was a contemplative itinerant mendicant preacher; and one who through his own experience can understand our present difficulties and challenges and help guide us in our own lives; our prayer and our ministry.SMOTSH; Springfield; IL3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. First serious bio of St. Dominic in English since the 1930sBy Kindle CustomerSt. Dominic; founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans); sometimes gets a bad rap as a severe; overly intellectual character; in contrast to his “more approachable†contemporary; Francis of Assisi. They’ve got it wrong about poor Dominic. Down to earth and a realist; Dominic was much loved (as well as respected) by the early followers who knew him personally. He read the signs of the times. Asked whether he wasn’t taking a great risk by sending those nice young men in their spiffy habits out into the highways and byways—wouldn’t some of them fall by the wayside?—he replied; “That’s the chance we have to take.†Among those who make up his legacy are a number of noted poets (Thomas Aquinas; who “did†some of his most memorable theology in liturgical verse); mystics (Catherine of Siena; a feisty lady who wasn’t afraid to tell Popes they were wrong); artists (Renaissance painter Fra Angelico); and writers on spirituality from medieval to modern times.Any well-known saint becomes the subject of his or her share of pious hagiographies; and St. Dominic is no exception. Until now the last serious biography of Dominic; by the eminent English spiritual writer Bede Jarrett; OP; was published in 1924. Now; published by Paulist Press; comes St. Dominic: The Story of a Preaching Friar by veteran Dominican author and teacher Donald Goergen; OP. Neither a “pop†hagiography nor a heavily footnoted academic tome; Fr. Goergen’s book is the fruit of a long-standing; loving relationship between the modern-day friar and his medieval Master. This isn’t an author who knows about his subject; but an author who knows his subject. As its subtitle suggests; the book emphasizes the holy work of the Preaching; the spreading of the gospel wherever the Good News needed to be heard. Goergen includes the story of the fateful encounter with a Cathar innkeeper that ignited Dominic’s passion for preaching.Preaching; for a Dominican; isn’t confined to sermons. Dominicans preach through whatever work each one is called to do: thus the examples of poets; mystics; artists; and spiritual writers mentioned above. This is the Order founded by Dominic—not an Order of dry intellectuals but one of men and women; down to earth like their Founder; who use their gifts and earthly things to fulfill their calling to spread God’s word. Such is Dominic’s legacy. Donald Goergen’s St. Dominic is a saint biography that everyone can enjoy.
