This concise book tells the story of the most important theological work of the Middle Ages, the vast Summa theologiae of Thomas Aquinas, which holds a unique place in Western religion and philosophy. Written between 1266 and 1273, the Summa was conceived by Aquinas as an instructional guide for teachers and novices and a compendium of all the approved teachings of the Catholic Church.

Table of Contents

• PREFACE
• INTRODUCTION
• CHAPTER 1 The World That Made Thomas Aquinas
• CHAPTER 2 Creating the Summa theologiae
• CHAPTER 3 A Tour of the Summa theologiae
• CHAPTER 4 The Tides of Thomism, 1275-1850
• CHAPTER 5 The Rise and Fall of Neothomism
• EPILOGUE
• Abbreviations for Thomas's Works
• BIBLIOGRAPHY