Thomas More: A Biography / Edition 1

by Richard Marius

Overview

Over the centuries, biographers of Thomas More have always praised him and made him an example for their own times. He was a man for all seasons. This Tudor prelate and Lord Chancellor of England shared human qualities identifiable in all ages—pride, love, ambition, generosity, hypocrisy, and greed. He was less than common because he was witty and a great storyteller—the best between Chaucer and Shakespeare. Truly, he was a Renaissance man with the contradictions such praise imposes on a towering figure. In Richard Marius's authoritative and engaging portrait, Sir Thomas More, the martyr and brilliant public figure, is a lesson for our season.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674885257
Publisher:	Harvard University Press
Publication date:	03/15/1999
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	562
Sales rank:	1,033,534
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Richard Marius was a historian, novelist, playwright, and a member of the Harvard faculty.

Editorial Reviews

A very remarkable and exciting book, full of knowledge and understanding.

New York Review of Books - G. R. Elton

[Richard Marius's] principal claim as a biographer is an unrivaled knowledge of More's works. This serves him very well, in my view. For instance, he is the first writer to stress the central importance of More's unfinished biography of Richard III.

Paul Johnson

[Richard Marius's Thomas More] will be the definitive popular biography. Custody of the popular memory of a figure like More is of some real importance, and Marius's custody is exemplary. His book is accessible enough to be read by a wide audience but complete and original enough to merit reading by a specialized audience. It is as subtle and satisfying a portrait as I have encountered in years.

Los Angeles Times Book Review - Jack Miles

[Richard Marius's Thomas More] will be the definitive popular biography. Custody of the popular memory of a figure like More is of some real importance, and Marius's custody is exemplary. His book is accessible enough to be read by a wide audience but complete and original enough to merit reading by a specialized audience. It is as subtle and satisfying a portrait as I have encountered in years.--Jack Miles "Los Angeles Times Book Review"

[Richard Marius's] principal claim as a biographer is an unrivaled knowledge of More's works. This serves him very well, in my view. For instance, he is the first writer to stress the central importance of More's unfinished biography of Richard III.--Paul Johnson "New York Times Book Review"

A very remarkable and exciting book, full of knowledge and understanding.--G. R. Elton "New York Review of Books"

From the Publisher

[Richard Marius's] principal claim as a biographer is an unrivaled knowledge of More's works. This serves him very well, in my view. For instance, he is the first writer to stress the central importance of More's unfinished biography of Richard III.
— Paul Johnson

New York Times Book Review

A very remarkable and exciting book, full of knowledge and understanding.
— G. R. Elton

New York Review of Books

[Richard Marius's Thomas More] will be the definitive popular biography. Custody of the popular memory of a figure like More is of some real importance, and Marius's custody is exemplary. His book is accessible enough to be read by a wide audience but complete and original enough to merit reading by a specialized audience. It is as subtle and satisfying a portrait as I have encountered in years.
— Jack Miles

Los Angeles Times Book Review

[Richard Narius' Thomas More ] will be the definitive popular biography. Custody of the popular memory of figure like More is of some real importance, and Narius' custody is exemplary. His book is accessible and has to be read by a wide audience but complete and original enough to merit reading by a specialized audience. It is as subtle and satisfying a portrait as I have encountered in years.
— Los Angeles Times Book Review

Jack Miles