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A. G. Sertillanges
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The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods (Not In A Series) Paperback – August 28, 1992

by OP A. G. Sertillanges (Author), Mary Ryan (Translator), SJ James V. Schall (Foreword)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 288 ratings
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"Fr. Sertillanges's teachings are as timeless as any truths which describe the genuine nature of things. . . . This book is highly recommended not only for intellectuals, but also for students and those discerning their vocation in life."―New Oxford Review

"[This] is above all a practical book. It discusses with a wealth of illustration and insight such subjects as the organization of the intellectual worker's time, materials, and his life; the integration of knowledge and the relation of one's specialty to general knowledge; the choice and use of reading; the discipline of memory; the taking of notes, their classification and use; and the preparation and organization of the final production."―The Sign

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  1. Print length
    264 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The Catholic University of America Press
  4. Publication date
    August 28, 1992
  5. Dimensions
    4.4 x 0.6 x 7.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0813206464
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0813206462
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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"Discusses with a wealth of illustration and insight such subjects as the organization of the intellectual worker's time, materials, and his life; the integration of knowledge and the relation of one's specialty to general knowledge; the choice and use of reading; the discipline of memory; the taking of notes, their classification and use; and the preparation and organization of the final production." -- The Sign

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"I would put The Intellectual Life on the desk of every serious student, and most of the unserious ones. . . . We should read through this classic book, make its teachings ours after our own manner. Adapting what Sertillanges suggests to our own computer, to our own books, to our own hours of the day or night should be no problem. The book will have an abiding, concrete effect on our lives. If we follow its outlines, it will make us alive in that inner, curious, delightful way that is connoted by the words in the book's magnificent title--The Intellectual Life. I see no reason for settling for anything less. The great French Dominican still teaches us how to learn, but only if we are free enough to let him teach us."-from the Foreword by James V. Schall, S.J.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The Catholic University of America Press; Reprint edition (August 28, 1992)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 264 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0813206464
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0813206462
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.4 x 0.6 x 7.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 288 ratings

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A. G. Sertillanges

A. G. Sertillanges

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
288 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jonathan Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars Straw OR Reward?
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2012
Verified Purchase
The practical of the book is good.
The motivational, spiritual/theological relevant, the conceptual is GREAT!

Sertillanges does well in speaking to the issues and reality of doing study work, reading/researching & writing/producing. He even has a section for spouses (p.43-5). The actual practical aspects of the book are worthy of a read.
The special pieces of this work are what he says about "work" from the perspective of what it means as a disciple of Jesus. These comments lend themselves to any discussion of sanctification doctrine, or one's relationship with God as a believer in Jesus.
It is not heavy in philosophical or theological language or quotations/citations of others, so it makes for an easier read that expected. He makes many illustrative comments as well, like little word pictures that are more inspirational in tone than simply helps (e.g. pursuing truth is like following a tributary to a river eventually finding the ocean).

One comment he makes is regarding the ultimate mystery of knowledge that all people will have: no one is able to know everything, not even everything on a single subject. The absence of things said is more telling than what is said for Sertillanges, as it reveals the greatness of ultimate Truth, found only in the eternal God. So a pursuit of any truth is essentially a pursuit of God. The comment that is so wonderful is that at the end of life, the works of our life will be either as "straw" or proved "reward" in God's purifying judging holiness. This will be like "the silence preceding the great cry with which the whole soul will vibrate in the flood of light revealed" (p.142). In other words, like a great anticipation of something waited for all life, a holding of the breath, a peeringn into the blinding light of God, waiting... waiting... wondering... wanting to know, to see... and then...... I love this picture of what it will be like to come before holy, loving God finally seeing the hope of our faith, knowing truth first-hand, personally, awed and humbled and overcome with the greatness of Him!

Highly recommend this one.
11 people found this helpful
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M. Bellisario
5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Can Change Your Outlook on Life
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2012
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There are some books that have the ability to change the way you look at things, and this is one of them. Written originally back in 1921, 'The Intellectual Life' by A.G. Sertillanges O.P. is a manual for those interested in the intellectual life of study. But is is much more than that, it is a manual on how to live. The book is based upon a Thomistic framework, explaining first what the intellectual life is and why one would engage in such work. The author makes it clear that there can be no real intellectual work without virtue, being regularly engaged in prayer, and of course being in the state of grace. Discipline of the body is also expressed. One who cannot control their appetite for example makes a poor intellectual. It is extremely important to have a regular schedule in life, having the same time each day to pray, to exercise, to study, and of course fulfill your regular obligations of work and family, etc. The author even touches upon getting proper sleep, not too much, yet not too little, and even gives advice on how to make your sleep productive.

The second half of the book explains how to actually engage in study. He talks about always using the methods of Saint Thomas to form one's intellectual foundation, starting first learning the basic principles of philosophy and logic. The book teaches you how to read and how to properly research the subjects you want to study. He teaches you how to take notes and how to write well. How you spend your time with others and how you engage with them is also talked about. In short, the author teaches you not really how to study or how to write as a separate work, but he teaches you what it actually means to be an intellectual in the true sense of the word. It is not something that you do, but something that you become. He teaches you how to integrate your daily work, your family life, your spiritual life and your study so that you can always be active in living "the intellectual life." If there is one book you should read before you read any others, this is it. It has changed the way I think about life, and it is rare that a book has this effect. It has made me think about what is important in life. I am now on a mission to remove any obstacles that will keep me from achieving a well ordered life towards God, and towards my studies.

The author also has another great book available titled, 'Thomas Aquinas, Scholar, Poet, Mystic, Saint'. It is an introductory book on Saint Thomas which gives a basic sketch of his life, his thought, his spirituality and his work. It is only 140 pages, but it is a great book to read along with 'The Intellectual Life.' I find it always rewarding to go back and read introductory works on Saint Thomas. There is always something to be learned from them. If you implement what these two books teach, then I believe that you will be made a better person in doing so.
30 people found this helpful
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ProfStudent
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for anyone in an intellectual career!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
I copied paragraph after paragraph in my notebook! This book is full of eternal gems that are lesser known and incredibly fulfilling!

"By moderation in speech, you will also attain that continuous recollection and that wise give and take which are so important a provision for you. To speak for the sake of what must be said, to express a timely feeling or a useful idea and then be silent, is the secret of keeping possession of yourself while giving something to others, instead of letting your own torch go out as it lights other torches."

"Prayer is the expression of desire; its value comes from our inward aspirations, from their tenor and their strength. Take away desire, the prayer ceases; alter it, the prayer changes; increase or diminish its intensity, the prayer soars upwards or has no wings. Inversely, take away the expression while leaving the desire, and the prayer in many ways remains intact. Has a child who says nothing but looks longingly at a toy in a shop window, and then at his mother not formulate the most moving prayer? And even if he had not seen the toy, is not the desire for play, innate in the child as is the thirst for movement, in the eyes of his parents a standing prayer which they grant?"

"Your cowardice today is a poor guarantee for your heroism tomorrow."
6 people found this helpful
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Marty Wenzel
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Value
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2023
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this an easy to read and vert inciteful
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Carlos
5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom
Reviewed in Mexico on December 19, 2023
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Beautiful and wise book.
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Evette Glidden
5.0 out of 5 stars An intellectual life with honesty, full of prayers and truth.
Reviewed in Canada on September 13, 2021
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Evette Glidden
5.0 out of 5 stars An intellectual life with honesty, full of prayers and truth.
Reviewed in Canada on September 13, 2021
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frederik baumgart
5.0 out of 5 stars Gutes Buch als Geschenk
Reviewed in Germany on January 16, 2024
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Ich habe dieses Buch einem philosophisch Interessiertem Freund geschenkt und er war hellauf begeistert. Über den Inhalt kann ich demnach nichts schreiben. Die Qualität des Buchs war aber, wie zu erwarten war, super.
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Prasanta Kumar Bisoyee
3.0 out of 5 stars Book content is great but printing is pretty bad
Reviewed in India on March 2, 2021
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Book is hood, but the dimension of paper size is quite small. Fonts are small . This will stain your eye. Content is good but printing dimentik is pretty small .
One person found this helpful
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Winwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2020
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I liked everything the timing of delivery, the content. Everything
One person found this helpful
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