St. Thomas of Canterbury

Edwin A. Abbott's St. Thomas of Canterbury presents a biographical study of Thomas Becket, the 12th century Archbishop of Canterbury. The work traces Becket's journey from his role as King Henry II's chancellor to his position as the head of the English church. The book examines the complex relationship between church and state in medieval England through the lens of Becket's conflicts with Henry II. Abbott draws from historical documents and contemporary accounts to reconstruct the political and religious tensions of the period. The narrative follows Becket's transformation from royal servant to religious leader, detailing the key events and decisions that shaped his path. The text includes analysis of letters, chronicles, and official records from the time period. This work explores universal themes of loyalty, faith, and the eternal struggle between secular and spiritual authority. Abbott's portrayal raises questions about power, conscience, and the price of standing firm in one's convictions.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Edwin A. Abbott's overall work: Readers connect strongly with Abbott's ability to explain complex mathematical concepts through storytelling in "Flatland." Many reviewers note how the book helped them grasp dimensional geometry for the first time. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of mathematical principles - Effective use of satire to critique social hierarchies - Concise length that doesn't overstay its welcome - Accessible writing style for non-mathematicians What readers disliked: - Dated Victorian attitudes toward women and class - Dense mathematical passages in later chapters - Simple plot structure - Repetitive descriptions of geometric shapes Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (88,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (2,000+ reviews) One reader notes: "Abbott somehow makes squares and lines deeply compelling characters." Another writes: "The social commentary feels relevant even today, but the gender roles are problematic." Abbott's other works receive minimal reader attention online, with most reviews focusing exclusively on Flatland.

The Life of Saint Augustine by Possidius This detailed biographical account of the early Christian theologian traces his transformation from skeptic to saint through historical records and personal observations.

Thomas Becket by John Guy The narrative reconstructs Becket's journey from London merchant's son to Archbishop of Canterbury using medieval documents and contemporary accounts.

The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Paul Sabatier The biography examines Francis's transition from wealthy merchant to religious reformer through primary sources and historical documents.

Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot This verse dramatization presents the final days and martyrdom of Thomas Becket through historical records and medieval chronicles.

Saint Anselm: A Portrait in a Landscape by R.W. Southern The text chronicles Anselm's path from Italian monk to Archbishop of Canterbury through medieval manuscripts and church documents.

🔹 When Abbott wrote this biography of Thomas Becket in 1898, he innovatively included source documents and original medieval chronicles, allowing readers to examine primary historical evidence alongside his narrative. 🔹 The author, Edwin Abbott Abbott, was also a renowned mathematician who wrote "Flatland," a satirical novel about geometric dimensions that became a classic of mathematical literature. 🔹 Thomas Becket's murder in Canterbury Cathedral (1170) led to one of the fastest canonizations in history - he was declared a saint just three years after his death. 🔹 The book explores how Becket transformed from King Henry II's close friend and drinking companion to his fierce opponent, culminating in one of medieval England's most dramatic conflicts between Church and State. 🔹 Abbott's work draws attention to the fascinating detail that after Becket's death, Canterbury Cathedral became medieval Europe's most popular pilgrimage site, outranking even Rome and Santiago de Compostela.