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Available
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Description
A portrait of the 16th century philosopher-humanist who spent his life affirming religion as something deeper than dogmas.
Publication
Hendrickson Pub (2016), 355 pages
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LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
This is a well written book. It covers a life which is difficult to describe, without allowing one's personal prejudices to come to the fore: Erasmus is one of those people about whom, it is hard not to be either firmly pro, or anti. Mr. Bainton leaves Erasmus to speak for himself wherever possible
The downside of this approach, such as there is one, is that Erasmus sometimes comes across as vacillating or, indeed, just plain calculating. It is, of course entirely possible that he was very careful never to be the one whose head was furthest above the parapet; this may have been sound sense in a time when the removal of that head could be ordered for the eating of an egg in Lent.
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and, when this is not the case, the author does his utmost to put both sides of any dispute.The downside of this approach, such as there is one, is that Erasmus sometimes comes across as vacillating or, indeed, just plain calculating. It is, of course entirely possible that he was very careful never to be the one whose head was furthest above the parapet; this may have been sound sense in a time when the removal of that head could be ordered for the eating of an egg in Lent.
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LibraryThing member robeik
Well structured book on the life of Erasmus. Conveys that Erasmus was always trying to position himself as a peacemaker, and trying to avoid contention and violence as much as possible. However, in the end the result was that he supported neither 'side' and was disliked by both - the Reformers and
Interesting that his first name 'Desiderius' is never mentioned.
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the traditional Roman church.Interesting that his first name 'Desiderius' is never mentioned.
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