Last Letters of Thomas More

Times Literary Supplement "The works which Thomas More wrote during the fourteen months of his imprisonment in the Tower of London are an extraordinary testimony to his strength of mind. None, however, are quite as moving as his letters. Consience is the most recurring theme in the letters, introduced and well annotated by Alvaro de Silva. . . These last letters, with their spontaneous and vivid descriptions of the events attending More's arrest, his stern response to his daughters' attempts to persuade him to compromise, and his sustained dignity through his incarceration, increase one's respect for the man." The Expository Times "More's prison correspondence, now edited by Alvaro de Silva, is not as well known as Tower of London tracts such as his Dialogue of Comfort and De tristia Christi, and richly deserves the exposure this useful edition provides. . . Alvaro de Silva's edited Last Letters, careful commentary, period glossary, bibliography and index will surely appeal to all serious students of Henrician England. " Library Journal "Any More enthusiast will treasure this collection beyond measure, as it offers a clear window onto the soul of one of history's noblest figures. . . What emerges most poignantly from the letters is More's selfless integrity as distinct from the stubborn individualism so often attributed to him. . . Endnotes elaborate on cultural, political, and religious allusions that would otherwise confuse one unfamiliar with the time period. This book makes for a fine supplement to Peter Ackroyd's recent biography, The Life of Thomas More." First Things "Each letter is . . . a literary treasure, and the editor's introduction explaining what More meant by 'comfort, ' 'company, ' and 'conscience' is simply splendid. Warmly recommended." The Catechist's Connection "A substantial book that will reap great spiritual benefits is The Last Letters of Thomas More, edited by Alvaro de Silva. . . Great reading for daily meditation, one letter at a time."