Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes Audiobook By Paul Strathern cover art

Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes

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Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes

By: Paul Strathern
Narrated by: Robert Whitfield
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About this listen

We see our age as the greatest in human history, filled with seemingly unending originality. Yet such dynamism is not a necessary characteristic of great eras. Among the most long-lasting and stable civilizations was that of medieval Europe. There stasis was achieved, and with it a stability that permitted the development of structured thought and intellectual embellishment of unparalleled degree. Like the vast gothic cathedrals of western Europe, certainties of thought were part and parcel of the medieval age. Its monument of the intellect was the largely static, cumulative philosophy of Scholasticism. And the acknowledged maestro of Scholastic philosophy was Thomas Aquinas.

In Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes, Paul Strathern offers a concise, expert account of Aquinas' life and ideas and explains their influence on man's struggle to understand his existence in the world. The book also includes selections from Aquinas' work, a brief list of suggested readings for those who wish to delve deeper, and chronologies that place Aquinas within his own age and in the broader scheme of philosophy.

©1998 Paul Strathern (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks
Philosophers Philosophy Theology
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Critic reviews

"Well-written, clear, and informed, they have a breezy wit about them. I find them hard to stop reading." (The New York Times)

What listeners say about Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great and quick listen. full of information.

This audiobook was very valuable. it proved to have an immense amount of information squeezed into a shortened form.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Flaming Fag

According to the story told from this book, Thomas Aquinas' mother sent a naked women into his room to help him not become a priest. He pulled a "flaming fag" from the fire and frightened her out of his room. Apparently, according to the author, he wasn't very impressive in appearance. He was very intelligent. The author makes fun of how the Catholic Church gives Thomas Aquinas high marks. Apparently, according to Thomas Aquinas, if you have any questions about the purpose of life, follow the liturgy of the Church and everything will work out in the end. The Catholic Church sent him out to work out problems among those with theological questions until Thomas Aquinas just wore out. The author doesn't seem too impressed with Thomas Aquinas, though among the Christian thinkers, he stand out.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great for a full history of Aquinas’s life

Overall I enjoyed listening to the audio book to understand Aquinas before reading his works.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Subject is skewed by strong opinions

The most helpful 10 minutes were in the timeline at the end of the audiobook. However, I’ll never get those first 80 minutes back while I listened to arrogantly stated conjecture on how Aquinas served an archaic institution bent on biased self defense. The writer is deeply embedded in his own ego if he thinks we’re making progress without God or the Church. Progress towards what? There’s nothing without faith. The subject understood this in his faith and reason. The author is a typical apostate. The answer is God. Science is u-turning from hardline materialism. We’ll all follow suit when we’re close to death. Trust me.

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    3 out of 5 stars

A mixed bag

I found some interesting information in this account of Thomas Aquinas' life. Well-written and necessarily concise, it provides a good overview of a pivotal character in the evolution of philosophy. The only down side is that the author is much too free with his almost glib appraisals and judgmental comments when a concept seems "ridiculous" to him. It unfortunately takes away the beautiful immersion that can occur when one puts themselves in the place and mindset of the philosopher. It would probably be better for the reader to be familiar with the life and works of Aquinas before reading this book.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A Quick Run Through A Deep Subject

A well performed reading/performance which gives a condensed but factual as well as historical analysis of the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas.
I did find it necessary to sit upright and attentive due to this type of condensed and rapidly presented subject matter.

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Bit Sarcastic

Interesting and useful, but several unnecessary digressions and a bit sarcastic at times (perhaps to add humor?).

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Good

This doesn't go super in-depth on Aquinas but is a soft overview of anyone interested in Aquinas.

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    4 out of 5 stars

excellent, fun, a bit snarky.

Treats Aquinas with respect, but also pre supposes that modern thought is always right whenever moderna and Aquinas disagree.

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    2 out of 5 stars

not the best intro

this author makes a lot of sophomoric objections to thomas aquinas and shows that he does not understand and has not fully engaged with aquinas or philosophy in general... pseudo intellectual drek. the voice performance is good.

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1 person found this helpful