The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods (Not In A Series) Paperback – August 28, 1992

Review of The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods by A.G. SertillangesA.G. Sertillanges' The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods is a profound and timeless guide for anyone engaged in the pursuit of knowledge, whether as a scholar, thinker, or lifelong learner. Written in 1920, the book remains as relevant today as when it was first published, offering insightful reflections on the nature of intellectual work and its deeper, almost spiritual, aspects.Sertillanges approaches the intellectual life not as a mere profession or hobby but as a vocation—a serious commitment to thinking, learning, and cultivating wisdom. His work is a call to the discipline, patience, and inner resolve required to pursue intellectual endeavours. He explores the necessary conditions for serious scholarly work: solitude, silence, time, and order, emphasizing that the intellectual must build a life that fosters concentration and depth.What makes The Intellectual Life particularly valuable is Sertillanges' balance between the philosophical and the practical. He discusses the importance of reading, writing, and thinking clearly while also addressing the personal habits and attitudes that support sustained intellectual growth. His writing is both inspirational and instructional, offering concrete advice on how to structure one's time, establish good habits, and cultivate the focus required for deep intellectual engagement.

There are some books that have the ability to change the way you look at things, and this is one of them. Written originally back in 1921, 'The Intellectual Life' by A.G. Sertillanges O.P. is a manual for those interested in the intellectual life of study. But is is much more than that, it is a manual on how to live. The book is based upon a Thomistic framework, explaining first what the intellectual life is and why one would engage in such work. The author makes it clear that there can be no real intellectual work without virtue, being regularly engaged in prayer, and of course being in the state of grace. Discipline of the body is also expressed. One who cannot control their appetite for example makes a poor intellectual. It is extremely important to have a regular schedule in life, having the same time each day to pray, to exercise, to study, and of course fulfill your regular obligations of work and family, etc. The author even touches upon getting proper sleep, not too much, yet not too little, and even gives advice on how to make your sleep productive.The second half of the book explains how to actually engage in study. He talks about always using the methods of Saint Thomas to form one's intellectual foundation, starting first learning the basic principles of philosophy and logic. The book teaches you how to read and how to properly research the subjects you want to study. He teaches you how to take notes and how to write well. How you spend your time with others and how you engage with them is also talked about. In short, the author teaches you not really how to study or how to write as a separate work, but he teaches you what it actually means to be an intellectual in the true sense of the word. It is not something that you do, but something that you become. He teaches you how to integrate your daily work, your family life, your spiritual life and your study so that you can always be active in living "the intellectual life." If there is one book you should read before you read any others, this is it. It has changed the way I think about life, and it is rare that a book has this effect. It has made me think about what is important in life. I am now on a mission to remove any obstacles that will keep me from achieving a well ordered life towards God, and towards my studies.The author also has another great book available titled, 'Thomas Aquinas, Scholar, Poet, Mystic, Saint'. It is an introductory book on Saint Thomas which gives a basic sketch of his life, his thought, his spirituality and his work. It is only 140 pages, but it is a great book to read along with 'The Intellectual Life.' I find it always rewarding to go back and read introductory works on Saint Thomas. There is always something to be learned from them. If you implement what these two books teach, then I believe that you will be made a better person in doing so.

This is a great little book for students and seasoned scholars alike. The author paints a noble vision of the intellectual/scholarly life that is attractive and inspiring. I recommend it for any undergraduate or graduate student who aspires to such a life.

The practical of the book is good.The motivational, spiritual/theological relevant, the conceptual is GREAT!Sertillanges does well in speaking to the issues and reality of doing study work, reading/researching & writing/producing. He even has a section for spouses (p.43-5). The actual practical aspects of the book are worthy of a read.The special pieces of this work are what he says about "work" from the perspective of what it means as a disciple of Jesus. These comments lend themselves to any discussion of sanctification doctrine, or one's relationship with God as a believer in Jesus.It is not heavy in philosophical or theological language or quotations/citations of others, so it makes for an easier read that expected. He makes many illustrative comments as well, like little word pictures that are more inspirational in tone than simply helps (e.g. pursuing truth is like following a tributary to a river eventually finding the ocean).One comment he makes is regarding the ultimate mystery of knowledge that all people will have: no one is able to know everything, not even everything on a single subject. The absence of things said is more telling than what is said for Sertillanges, as it reveals the greatness of ultimate Truth, found only in the eternal God. So a pursuit of any truth is essentially a pursuit of God. The comment that is so wonderful is that at the end of life, the works of our life will be either as "straw" or proved "reward" in God's purifying judging holiness. This will be like "the silence preceding the great cry with which the whole soul will vibrate in the flood of light revealed" (p.142). In other words, like a great anticipation of something waited for all life, a holding of the breath, a peeringn into the blinding light of God, waiting... waiting... wondering... wanting to know, to see... and then...... I love this picture of what it will be like to come before holy, loving God finally seeing the hope of our faith, knowing truth first-hand, personally, awed and humbled and overcome with the greatness of Him!Highly recommend this one.