Dr. Ralph McInerny, requiescat in pace

I've just received the sad news that Dr. Ralph McInerny, one of the great Catholics teachers and writers of our time, has died. Joseph Bottum of First Things reflects. More info soon.

Comments

[Jose Yulo]

Thank you Professor McInerny for your kind and profound teaching.

[M. Jordan Lichens]

Thank you, good sir. Go with God.

[Jackson]

I'm ashamed to say that I've read very little of him. What's the best book to start with?

[Mark Brumley]

Jackson: It depends on whether you want to begin with philosophy, biography, fiction, or literary analysis. He wrote over a hundred books.

I love Ralph's A FIRST GLANCE AT ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, subtitled "A Handbook for Peeping Thomists". He wrote more substantial philosophical works, of course, but that one is a lot of fun and it is good for beginners.

I liked so much of Ralph's fiction, so where do you begin? Father Dowling was fun, of course. You can pick up any of his Dowling books and find a good read. His novel THE RED HAT has inside references to Ignatius Press--not that that is why we published it--and it is lots of fun.

Tom Hibbs gives some recommendations here: http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/01/ralph-mcinerny-1929-2010

I'll try to say more later.

[Jackson]

Thanks Mark.