Scan barcode
izcanbeguscott's review
4.0
A great guide to provide inspiration and guidance to those who wish to engage in intellectual activity on a deeper level.
Sertillanges was a French Dominican priest, which may rub some the wrong way for the overt religiosity present within this work. Some of his pleas to solve the world or the soul's great dillemas through god or prayer fall flat for me because those don't really satisfy me. However, he was also a person deeply committed to his studies and seems more of a liberation theologist than someone who thinks religion has all the answers.
As such, this book has some truly great recommendations and ruminations on how to study, think and write in a true and meaningful fashion. I have found that even piecemeal introductions of some of his wisdom into my life has been meaningful and helpful for me. I especially loved the discussion on what meaningful work brings to someone's life, and how finding true passion and following it where it goes is beautiful. I'm not some trad-con "work is meaning" weirdo, but it is always good to be reminded of the nobility of work well done that satisfies your soul.
If you are at all interested in what being an intellectual means and some utilizable tips and tricks, this is a great read especially for less than 300 pages.
Sertillanges was a French Dominican priest, which may rub some the wrong way for the overt religiosity present within this work. Some of his pleas to solve the world or the soul's great dillemas through god or prayer fall flat for me because those don't really satisfy me. However, he was also a person deeply committed to his studies and seems more of a liberation theologist than someone who thinks religion has all the answers.
As such, this book has some truly great recommendations and ruminations on how to study, think and write in a true and meaningful fashion. I have found that even piecemeal introductions of some of his wisdom into my life has been meaningful and helpful for me. I especially loved the discussion on what meaningful work brings to someone's life, and how finding true passion and following it where it goes is beautiful. I'm not some trad-con "work is meaning" weirdo, but it is always good to be reminded of the nobility of work well done that satisfies your soul.
If you are at all interested in what being an intellectual means and some utilizable tips and tricks, this is a great read especially for less than 300 pages.
aspiringorakle's review
5.0
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. It's a wonder to me that my college doesn't assign this work or something like it for the promotion of the intellectual life among its students. This work challenged me to take care of myself, to commit myself fully to intellectual work, to honor God in seeking truth, to forget myself in contemplating reality, to be thinking always, and to be ordered and precise in my thought. This book is definitely worth the reread, as the above only scratches the surface of Sertillanges' insight into how to be a good intellectual. Aside from the Catholic stuff, 10/10.
dwmclaurin3's review
4.0
This book is meant to serve as an introduction the scholarly life for Christians. It covers various topics from how a scholar should order their studies to the balance between work and rest.
Sertillanges inspires in this work. He touches the heart of the scholar, as well as the mind. One of the positive aspects of this book is that Sertillanges focuses on the holistic life of the scholar. Everything touches everything. From diet, to rest, everything should be in servitude to the work that God has called the Christian scholar to do.
The only negative I have about this book is that he still uses note cards when you have Evernote and other softwares out there. Of course, this is a silly critique because this was written during the first half of the last century.
In truth, there are a few times that Sertillanges is vague, especially in the sections that include practical advice. He leaves the reader begging for more. Though, his intention is to have us discover our own path, it would be nice to at least, from time to time, see his.
Sertillanges inspires in this work. He touches the heart of the scholar, as well as the mind. One of the positive aspects of this book is that Sertillanges focuses on the holistic life of the scholar. Everything touches everything. From diet, to rest, everything should be in servitude to the work that God has called the Christian scholar to do.
The only negative I have about this book is that he still uses note cards when you have Evernote and other softwares out there. Of course, this is a silly critique because this was written during the first half of the last century.
In truth, there are a few times that Sertillanges is vague, especially in the sections that include practical advice. He leaves the reader begging for more. Though, his intention is to have us discover our own path, it would be nice to at least, from time to time, see his.
hassanalsaeid's review
4.0
4.5.
Truly helps to set the spirit of what it means to use intellect in serving both humanity and god (I know that will make secularists/atheists eye roll).
Truly helps to set the spirit of what it means to use intellect in serving both humanity and god (I know that will make secularists/atheists eye roll).
juliana_aldous's review
5.0
"We never think entirely alone; we think in company, in a vast collaboration; we work with the workers of the past and of the present." --Sertillanges
I will be reading this book for the rest of my life. Honestly, if I were building a 10 foot bookshelf--this book would be on it.
I will be reading this book for the rest of my life. Honestly, if I were building a 10 foot bookshelf--this book would be on it.