The First Jesuit, St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

by Mary Purcell

St. Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082940371X
• ISBN13: 9780829403718
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Loyola Press
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Very readable biography of an important historical figure

Many well-researched biographies, especially of religious figures, can be pedantic, hagiographic, or simply dry, but Mary Purcell successfully brings a complex man to life with her very readable biography of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fortunately, she spends about the first quarter of the book tracing his early life, giving insight into Ignatius's early years as idealistic warrior--and convalescent (a very serious leg injury left him in a weakened state for a long period). The book is well-organized and strikes a good balance between admiration for her subject while retaining a critical eye to his imperfections.