Review by Choice Review
Davies (Fordham Univ.) has in recent years produced some splendid studies on Thomas Aquinas: Aquinas (2003) and Thomas Aquinas on God and Evil (CH, Jan'12, 49-2590). This commentary on Aquinas's Summa Theologiae is another scholarly triumph. The book begins with a short introduction, containing a biography of Aquinas followed by a brief, speculative account of Aquinas's purpose in writing the Summa. Davies then wastes no time in launching into his commentary proper-a systematic, article-by-article, question-by-question commentary on the entire Summa. Other fine commentaries on the Summa are available, including F. C. Bauerschmidt's Holy Teaching (2005) and P. J. Glenn's A Tour of the Summa (1960). All are excellent, and students of Aquinas will not want to be without any. However, if one were to have only one such study, Davies's commentary would be a wise and excellent choice. It is thorough, well organized, and supplemented with copious notes and pie charts that give a visual breakdown of the philosophical and theological subjects covered in the Summa. It will not replace other commentaries that have a narrower, more detailed focus; however, those looking for a comprehensive and accessible companion to Aquinas's Summa could do no better. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty. --Francis A Grabowski, Rogers State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
