Customer Reviews (1)

The hidden life
As she converted to Christianity, Edith Stein joined one of the strictes orders-that of Carmelites. That was because she thought that only behind convent walls she could completely detach from the outside world and devote herself to God. So, when we talk about the title of the book:"The hidden life" we do not talk only aboutthe life in a convent but also about the base of Edith Steins life that was contemplation of a hidden life of Good in everything that exist. As the convent itself had its spiritual life, Edith Stein contributed it with her hagiographic essays about Carmelite saints. Therefore here we can find inspired interpretations of lives of some well known or less known Carmelite saints like St. Theresa of Avila or St. Elizabeth. The rest of the book contents some other religious essays and dialogues that deeply marked Edith Steins life during her stay in a Carmelite convent. An inspired and interesting book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Philosophy and faith
When someone, today, mentions Edith Stein it is very often in a religious context. This is because of her deep faith that yielded with her conversion to Christianity and, at the end with her martyrdom. (She died in a gas chamber during the Second World War.) Therefore, when we talk about Edith Stein we often forget her as a talented philosopher of a very lucid philosophical mind, which she always tried to melt with her deepest religious convictions. The book Knowledge and Faith is just one of such books that brings to us sharp insights in such philosophy-faith relationship. This is why this book starts with an inspired and intelligent dialogue between philosophy and theology ( incorporated in characters of Husserl and Aquinas) and ends with her philosophical essays that cannot be divided from her theological stands. It is very important book, not just to understand Edith Steins work but to clarify some important points between philosophy and faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A profound read from a profound author
Do not run away from this book if you have happen to come across it. Instinct may tell you it will go over your head and you may waste several days reading it. But it is not that kind of book.

It may take several years to enjoy what you may find here. Edith Stein, the Jewish woman, first atheist and philosopher, then catholic convert, Carmelite nun and martyr at Auschwitz is an exceptional person but don't even let that put you off because she will introduce you through this book to St. John of the Cross. One saint teaching you about another.

This newly canonised and appointed Patron of Europe will guide you through the paths of the Spirit and the soul as she re-reads the works of St. John of the Cross in the light of philosophical training [not that it is a hinder] and fresh catholic faith.

I read this book and have set it down for several days and weeks only to take it up again because of its appeal. I struggle with it because it is such a challenging topic but I don't intend yet to give up. It is a difficult subject but this is a worthwhile task. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Woman of the Third Millenium in the End of the Second
Edith Stein's views on womanhood are just beginning to be dissected by theologians in light of the popularity of Pope John Paul the Great's "Theology of the Body."

She explores the vocation of men and women, in particular, by expanding upon Aquinas's 'anima forma corporis' in her discussions of `woman's soul'.She is quite candid about her beliefs: "I am convinced that the species humanity embraces the double species man and woman; that the essence of the complete human being is characterized by this duality; and that the entire structure of the essence demonstrates the specific character. There is a difference, not only in body structure and in particular physiological functions, but also in the entire corporeal life. The relationship of soul and body is different in man and woman; the relationship of soul to body differs in their psychic life as well as that of the spiritual faculties to each other"

In her analyses, St. Edith Stein is uncompromisingly orthodox on the role of men and women in society and relation to each other. The Virgin Mary is highlighted as a model several times throughout the book. Interestingly, though, she highlights and expands more than any other writer that I have come across the strength, validity and necessity of spiritual maternity in all areas of life. In doing so, she vividly explores what John Paul II later termed "the feminine genius", though it is never labeled as such in her essays. She is infatuated with what is inherently feminine nature, and, in contrast, masculine nature, developing some psychological insights into female empathy that parallel Simon Baron-Cohen's findings in the 1990s.

Stein explores practically every female vocation: marriage, the consecrated life, the professional life, singledom, and those who possess a "double vocation" of more than one of these. She also addresses women in political life, the public realm, universities and other areas of national life. She writes: "The singular mission of the working woman is to fuse her feminine calling with her vocational calling and, by means of that fusion, to give a feminine quality to her vocational calling."

Edith Stein implicitly confirms the authority and Tradition of the Church, but also asserts the necessity for the development of doctrine, which potentially could incorporate her explications of femininity. As I mentioned above, these explications are completely orthodox. Stein argues, for example, a traditionally Catholic opinion that `the intrinsic value of woman consists essentially in exceptional receptivity for God's work in the soul".

In addition, as an educator herself, a good portion of the essays focus on what should constitute a female education. Stein reveals some markedly progressive insights for her time on the choice and scope of female education. She argues against excessive specialization, favoring a global, holistic, and personalized approach to human society. Education requires "broad human and personal contact", particularly for women who are social creatures.

Stein pushes boundaries and speaks her mind, and 'conservative' only by contemporary standards - not for the typical liberal women's studies class. Rather, she is a feminist in the vein of many contemporary, orthodox Catholic feminists, such as Katrina Zeno and Pia de Solenni.

Woman by Edith Stein
Provides a thought-provoking look at the spirituality of lay and religious Catholic women. Sure to be controversial, it's not the typical thing you hear from either feminists or anti-feminists, but quite uniquely it's own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Saint for Today
Even though Edith Stein was writing in the first half of the twentieth century, many of her observations on the human person still ring true, providing food for thought when contemplating contemporary issues. In a clear and logic style, Edith Stein reflects on the world around her. Edith's writings on women's role in society and gender issues are inspiring. In addition, her ability to view the world's events, including the autrocities of the Nazi regime through the eyes of faith gives witness to her courage, strength, and love of God, providing inspiration for all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A great bioagraphy
Edith Stien was a Jew who in the 1920's of Germany converted to Catholicism and then became a nun much to the dismay of her orthodox mother. Those who are have heard of Edith Stien know that ultimately she was martyred in Auschwitz because of her outspokenness against the Nazi's as well as the fact that the Catholic Church in occupied Holland was the only large church organization willing to preach against the nazi regeim.

What must people don't know about Edith Stien was what an incredibly couragous and brillant woman she was even long before she was martyred. As this book tells the story , often in her own words and in the words of those that were close to her, she was a college professer, philosopher, and political activist at a time when a professional woman was at best a grade school teacher or nurse. Even as a nun she worked on her philosophy and her writing.

Waltraud Herbstrith does an excellent job portraying the complete Edith Stien, Her faith Her family and her intellect. An excellent book.

POWERFUL, ENTHRALLING WORK
I consider this a "must read" for anyone interested in great women in history. The spiritual insights, life story, and heroic sacrifices of this brilliant woman, who was both a Jew and a Carmellite nun areamazing. Look closely at the cover art, as my interpretation was that EdithStein possessed the "ear of God." The only complaint I have isthe print was far too small. If it comes in a large print edition, youmight be wise to order it. My eyesight is fairly normal.

Excellent Book
This book is an excellent introduction to the life and thought of Edith Stein (St. Theresa Benedicta).Waltraud Herbstrith presents a biography that encompases the philosophical, spiritual, and personal aspects of hersubject with great care.I came away from this book with a trueappreciation for Edith Stein, in particular her writings on women and herdeep love of God. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent
This is an easy to read beginners biography on Edith Stein: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.It tells her life story and how she freely offered herself for the conversion of others.She grew up Jewish and became Catholic after searching for the truth, and then finally coming across the truth, when she read St. Teresa of Avila's Autobiography.You will truly come to know Edith Stein and feel close to her after reading this book.

Wonderful introduction to the life of St. Edith Stein!
This book is a wonderful introduction to the life of Catholic and Jewish martyr, philosopher, professor, nun, feminist, and saint who died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. Scaperlanda does a great job of introducing the reader to her philosophy, personality, background, and amazing faith. If you enjoy this book, I reccomend "Knowledge and Faith" and "Life in a Jewish Family", both by Edith Stein.

Saint Teresa Benedicta a Cruce
This is story of a simple and devoted Carmelite nun.It is a wonderful story that not only gives biographical information it also incorporates a lot of Edith Stein's (Saint Teresa Benedicta a Cruce (Latin)personal philosophy and her feelings on femininism in society.It also shares her exceptional faith and devotion to God, even in the face of death.The book tells of her life, her entry into the Carmelite cloister and then her death in the Nazi camp, Auschwitz, Poland.It is a truly inspiraional and beautifully written book of one woman's courage and devotion.

Strands woven into a fine book
I really like how this author has woven a story out of the several strands - of Edith's own writings - of others who have written about her - of the history of the Jews in Germany - and of the life and times of Adolf Hitler as it affected Edith's life and that of millions of Jews and Christians.The author has braided together some wonderful connections that set Edith's life in the context of her times and of our times.I found special joy in these connections because I have read almost all of the sources - primary and secondary - separately - and it is good to see them woven together with spiritual meanings. This book now holds a place of prominece on my Edith Stein shelf of books.

Fascinating Modern Saint
Maria Scaperlanda's book on Edith Stein provides those unfamilar with this fascinating, modern Saint with a great introduction to her life and thought.The reader will be able to follow Edith Stein on her passionate life journey, sustained by her desire to find truth, first pursued in philosophy and finally completed in her embrace of Catholicism and life as a contemplative, Carmelite religious.Although there are various books about Edith Stein on the market, Maria Scaperlanda's work is the best work to provide the reader with an introduction to Edith Stein and guide the reader on to further works on the Saint with an excellent bibliography. Edith Stein's life and work should be studied by all those who seek meaning and truth (not only Catholics), especially in our current post-modern, relativistic culture that so vehemently denies absolute truth. This book is also an excellent choice as spiritual reading for Christians desiring to study the life of a contemporary Saint. ... Read more

Book Description
Three women, all philosophers, all of Jewish descent, provide a human face for a decade of crisis in this powerful and moving book. The dark years when the Nazis rose to power are here seen through the lives of Edith Stein, a disciple of Husserl and author of La science et la croix, who died in Auschwitz in 1942; Hannah Arendt, pupil of Heidegger and Jaspers and author of Eichmann in Jerusalem, who unhesitatingly responded to Hitler by making a personal commitment to Zionism; and Simone Weil, a student of Alain and author of La pesanteur et la grace.

Following her subjects from 1933 to 1943, Sylvie Courtine-Denamy recounts how these three great philosophers of the twentieth century endeavored with profound moral commitment to address the issues confronting them. Condemned to exile, they not only sought to understand a horrible reality, but also attempted to make peace with it. To do so, Edith Stein and Simone Weil encouraged a stoic acceptance of necessity while Hannah Arendt argued for the capacity for renewal and the need to fight against the banality of evil.

Courtine-Denamy also describes how as a student each woman caught the eye of her famous male teacher, yet dared to criticize and go beyond him. She explores each one's sense of her femininity, her position on the "woman question," and her relation to her Jewishness.

"All three," the author writes, "are compelling figures who move us with their fierce desire to understand a world out of joint, reconcile it with itself, and, despite everything, love it." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A good intro to these ladies and their times
This is not an easy book.It is a glance into the lives of 3 women, Hanna Arendt, Simone Weil, and Edith Stein, each of Jewish descent and, in particular, at the response each one made to Nazism.There is a review of each woman's life and her career.A lot of space is given to the education of these women, which is especially interesting since each studied under some of the biggest names in philosophy in the 20th century.It is not easy to follow, however, unless you have some basic knowledge of Heidegger, Jaspers, Alain, Husserl.But it is still interesting.Each of these women chose a different response (not just to nazism, but to the world, actually).Arendt became strongly Zionist, and an author of wonderful books; Simone Weil, strangely at odds with her heritage, but whose essays are marvels of clarity, chose a strange path of starvation (whatever the philosophical underpinnings, one wonders about anorexia); Edith Stein converted to Catholicism and became a Carmelite nun, devoting her life to prayer (though still writing).Each of these responses is fascinating in its own right.I highly recommend this difficult, but rewarding book.

disappointing story of three remarkable women
I am no philosopher, but have read the works of the three women who are the subjects of the book.
I was hoping to put the three lives into the context of the intellectual and social world they lived in, and how and why they made their individual decisions on philosophy, religion, and their approach to the questions posed by both Nazism and the feminist movement.
But little detail is given about the intellectual life. We are told the names of their mentors: but not any details of what these mentors taught (a major flaw for the non philosophy student who is not familiar with Heddiger etc.).
At the same time, except for some fine passages on Simone Weil, there is little detail on the inner lives of the women: we see only the outline of their parallel lives, often mixed together in a confusing manner. Arendt's affair with her professor, a subject recently treated in detail in a recent Atlantic magazine article, is given one sentence. Stein converts, with no more detail on her inner life than one could read in a blurb in the Catholic encyclopedia.
In summary, the author fails to provide details for the novice to understand the lives of these women, but does not go into sufficient depth for a philosophy student to learn anything new.
However, the passages on Simone Weil are an exception to my criticism. I did learn a lot about both her writings and why she thought and wrote her famous letters. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description
Edith Stein lived an unconventional life. Born into a devout Jewish family, she drifted into atheism in her mid teens, took up the study of philosophy, studied with Edmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenology, became a pioneer in the women's movement in Germany, a military nurse in World War I, converted from atheism to Catholic Christianity, became a Carmelite nun, was murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942, and canonized by Pope John Paul II. Renowned philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre here presents a fascinating account of Edith Stein's formative development as a philosopher. ... Read more

Book Description
She was a puzzling paradox of a saint.She was both Jewish and Catholic. A publicly acclaimed philosopher and a cloistered Carmelite nun. A pioneering feminist scholar and a devout martyr for an ancient faith.

Meet Edith Stein.The Nazis murdered her in a concentration camp, but they could not silence her. This compelling portrait of Sr. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross--Edith's name in religion--shows how the saint's heroic life and penetrating insights can still speak to us today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Best Introduction to Edith Stein
This is the best indroduction to Edith Stein. It is vividly written and moves quickly. The book underscores the strength of this contemporary woman who, facing great challenges, had to think through and stand firm in her beliefs. In Cavnar's book, the central drama of Edith Stein's life is her conversion to Catholicism. This book does what a well-written saint's biography should do--namely, challenge the reader to respond to God's call with greater intensity.

Includes a politically correct bias
Author Cynthia Cavnar condenses the life of Edith Stein into the most readable book yet. Information is contained herein which was not mentioned in longer biographies. However, in the few pages in which Cavnar discusses Pope Pius XI and XII and their roles in the fight against Nazism, Cavnar misses the mark, downplaying Mit Brenneder Sorge (On the Church and the German Reich) by Pius XI and ignoring altogether Pius XII's Summi Pontificatus (On the Unity of Human Society) published in 1939. I would have to recommend "Edith Stein: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross" by Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda over Ms. Cavnar's title although the former book is a little less readable.

Objective In-Depth Biography Brings Saint to Life
Cavnar outlines the context of the life of St. Edith Stein so that the reader may appreciate the martyr's life as she lived it.Yet the author does not cling to the technicalities so as to give a boring recitation of St. Edith's accomplishments and failures.Rather, Cavnar brings the deepest passions of St. Edith to life: her love of philosophy, her love of teaching, her love of helping others, and most importantly, her love of God.The narrative moves swiftly so that the reader is caught up in the excitements and disappointments in St. Edith's life from World War I, her academic work and her relationships with her family members.This book is an excellent inspirational biography that presents a very real woman who was very dedicated to God.

Good book!
This book highlights the life of a woman who should be better known to all of us. Her story is one of courage and conviction, first in her struggle to define her faith and to situate spirituality within philosophy, and later in her struggle against Nazi persecution. The author skillfully interweaves biography, histoy, and spirituality, all the while painting a very human and intimate picture of this incredible woman. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Edith Stein: a Saint by choice
Arthur Giron provides the first real look at this historical figure Edith Stein who was recently cannonized.This work is a stellar piece of dramatic writing that adresses important issues faced by all those affected by World War II and the Holocaust.Giron uses beautiful writing techniques to analyze Edith Stein before she was a nun in a Carmelite convent and shapes a magical plot that gives the reader a fleeting hope for the victory of humanity over evil. ... Read more