Product Description

Rupert Shortt’s celebrated biography of Rowan Williams provides a sympathetic but clear-eyed assessment of a remarkable, gifted and much-maligned leader as he seeks to steer the Anglican Communion through the stormiest period in its history.

Always a controversial figure, Rowan Williams' decisions have upset both conservatives and progressives alike. But is he playing a long game, obliged to rate church unity above the pursuit of his own vision?

Written with Rowan Williams’s cooperation, Rupert Shortt answers this question and many more, giving a compelling portrait of a private and in some ways surprisingly vulnerable man. (20081122)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #118707 in Books
• Published on: 2009-07-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Review
'This excellent biography of the Primate of all England is theologically heavyweight, psychologically perceptive and sometimes strikingly critical.' (The Sunday Times 20081111)

'There is something refreshingly timeless in the well-rounded portrait of Rowan Williams that emerges from these pages.' (The Mail on Sunday 20081111)

'Fascinating'

(The Telegraph 20081111)

'Sympathetic and balanced' (The Times 20081125)

'Outstanding'

(The Guardian )

'Deeply encouraging in terms of insights into this sensitive, intellectual and complex figure' (The Times )

'Shortt shows with commendable honesty why it is the world might judge and misunderstand, but leaves the reader with the discomfiting suspiscion that Jesus would surely approve' (The Times )

'An intriguing new insight into the personal life of an archbishop better known for his liberal views and intellectual agility' (The Daily Mail )

‘a major work . . . [a] timely assessment of a remarkable, gifted and much maligned leader.’ (Rt Revd Lord Habgood, Former Archbishop of York )

‘This is a remarkable book . . . essential reading for those concerned about the future of Christianity in Britain today.’ (Peter Sedgwick, Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University )

'... a very fascinating and moving account of Rowan Williams' life and ministry.' (Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop of Westminster )

About the Author
Rupert Shortt is Religion Editor of The Times Literary Supplement and he has written for a variety of other publications, including the Daily Telegraph, The Times, the Financial Times and the Guardian. (20081112)

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Customer Reviews

Bared by Rupert.
Rupert Short is Religious Editor of 'The Times Literary Supplement' and was formerly a staff journalist on 'The Church Times' and Assistant Editor of the liberal (Roman) Catholic magazine 'The Tablet'. He has previously authored a short "sketch" of the same subject entitled 'Rowan Williams: An Introduction' (2002), and 'Gods Advocates:Christian Thinkers In Conversation'(2005) which features a significant contribution by Rowan Williams and is probably more for those wishing to gain an insight into the Archbishops theological perpectives rather than this present volume.
'Rowans Rule' is a serious, heavy-weight study (466 pages) of the life of Rowan Williams current Archbishop of Canterbury written by someone who is (unsurprisingly given the journalistic credentials given above), profoundly sympathetic to his subjects liberal Catholicism or "Radical Orthodoxy".
This book is a traditionaly structured 'life' and although Rowans personal theology and more abstract matters are covered in Chapters 2 and 4 the emphasis is firmly on giving a full account of its subjects biography in all its fullness. It is divided into two parts and ten chapters, with the first half covering Williams early life in Wales, education, Oxford and academia; basically his life and career "pre-Lambeth". The second half covers his period as Archbishop of Canterbury from appointment in 2002 upto the 2008 Lambeth Conference and related contraverses.
As you would expect there is, thankfully, no tabloid style tittle-tattle or scandals in this volume, the nearest you get to one is the story of the tragic suicide of Lori Watson, a disturbed young women who fel in love with Rowan whilst he was a student at Oxford, and whom he tried to help.
As already noted the author is clearly sympathetic to Williams religious convictions, this knowledge plus the fact that this study was not only authorised by the Archbishop but that he also actively contributed to its contents should indicate to the potential reader the books understandable bias. Rowans detractors may characterise this as 'spin', but writing as somebody who shares the authors sympathy, I would say that if anyone in this country actually NEEDS to start 'spinning' its Rowan Williams!
That caveat aside, this is an impressive piece of sholarship, meticuluosly researched, insightful, intelligent and written with great warmth for its subject. A must read for Anglicans and recommended to anyone who wishes to see beyond the characatures and misrepresentations of both the right-wing media and the Fundamentalist plotters within Rowan Williams own Church (thats the real scandal).
Rowans Rule' is a brilliantly realised 'life' of one of the Christian worlds foremost leaders and intellectuals and (dare I say it) 'National Treasure'!

Thoughtful and helpful
This book is a wonderful introduction to, for me, one of the greats to have held the role as Archbishop. Thoughtful and intelligent, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand the issues facing the Church of England and Anglicanism, but it is wider than that, and would make good reading. It is good to understand why, in light of Sharia comments and the gay issue, Williams can provoke such a response.

Compelling!
I expected to find this an interesting but possibly rather challenging read! Instead I was knocked out by the clarity of the Rupert Shortt's treatment of the theology. The book hasn't changed my view of Rowan Williams himself; I started by thinking he was a holy man and robust intellectual in a world which appears to have little place for either. Although there is much more evidence here in support of that view than against it, the author made a reasonable attempt to present alternative views, and didn't baulk at examining the downside of Rowan's approach to his role as Archbishop of Canterbury. As another reviewer has pointed out, the account of the conduct of some of the operators behind the scenes in the CofE makes grim reading, though. I found some of the stories about Rowan's acts of personal kindness, and his clear modesty, loyalty and gift for friendship, tremendously moving.

I've already recommended Rowan's Rule to a number of colleagues and friends. Anyone with an interest in public life should read it - of any faith, or none.