Paul J. Archambault is Professor of French at Syracuse University. His most recent book, with Marianna Mustaechi, is A Renaissance Woman: Helisennes Personal and Invective Letters (1985).
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“Paul J. Archambault pays generous tribute to the work of his forerunners, but argues convincingly that there is room for a new translation and introduction. [The book] is aimed at students and cultivated readers who are not familiar with French, and seeks to provide a lively and readable translation. In this it has succeeded. . . . Guibert’s book is important, not just for the insight into monastic life given by a learned man who was also an accomplished stylist. The section based on his own experience as abbot of Nogent, in touch with ecclesiastical and secular leaders, is one of the most important sources for the history of the revolt of the ‘commune’ of Laon and the murder of the bishop in 1112.”—English Historical Review
“Guibert’s memoirs offer a lively picture of a local slice of medieval French society and the ecclesial world of the Middle Ages. . . . [I]t immerses its readers in the everyday world and faith of people who lived far away from the intellectual and cultural centers of medieval times. Paul Archambault provides a very accessible modern English translation and carefully annotated edition of Guibert’s Monodiae. The book will be a welcome addition to both undergraduate and graduate level courses on the Middle Ages and will serve as a fine contextualization of more theological medieval texts, such as Anselm of Canterbury’s Cur Deus Homo? It will be equally illuminating to lay and clergy who wish to explore the Middle Ages or spiritual autobiographies.”—Steffen Losel, Anglican Theological Review
“Guibert of Nogent is a major writer who is a favorite of medieval historians. He furnishes a good deal of autobiographical information, somewhat of a rarity for the period, and he gives many details about the commune in France at the beginning of the twelfth century. Paul Archambault has given us an accurate and polished translation, and his introduction places Guibert in the Augustinian tradition where he rightly belongs. An outstanding contribution.”—Gerard J. Brault, Penn State University