The King's Good Servant but God's First

St. Thomas More is widely recognized as the good-humored Renaissance humanist scholar who wrote Utopia and two decades later died a martyr's death in defense of papal primacy.  Yet More's sacrifice of his life was but the culminating act of a lifelong dedication to his faith.  This work seeks to provide a new portrait of Thomas More by engaging upon a comprehensive exploration of More's books and letters.

All of More's works are examined in detail, revealing the inner life of a saint molded by an ever-deepening reflection upon the Passion of Christ, climaxing in one of the most profound meditations upon the Agony in the Garden ever written.  The correspondence of More during his imprisonment receives particular attention, an eloquent testament to the depth of More's love for his family and friends.

In addition to Thomas More's writing, the testimony of early biographies of the saint together with the recent finding of Tudor and Reformation era scholars are utilized to reconstruct the events of More's life and execution.  Subjects explored include More's devotion to his family, the roots of his spiritual and intellectual formation, his participation in the Renaissance movement of Christian humanist scholarship, and the state of the pre-Reformation Church.

"This book is an eye-opener.  Monti, a very skilled research writer, provides a unique, very readable book on St. Thomas More that gives new insights on this most powerful figure in the Catholic resistance in England."
- Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R., Author, Arise from Darkness

"A thoroughly excellent work.  More has many poignant things to say to us in our day."
- Fr. George Rutler, Author, A Crises of Saints

James Monti is an author, writer and historian who has contributed numerous articles to Catholic publications.  His other books include The Week of Salvation and In the Presence of Our Lord.