Eminent historian John Guy has produced a short and incisive treatise on Thomas More. More is known as the advisor to Henry VIII who was executed rather than swear allegiance to Henry as Head of the Church in England, he is also known as the author of a number of works, particularly 'Utopia' a description of an idealised society. Whether one's view of More is that of 'A Man For All Seasons' or that of 'Wolf Hall' there is much about the man to admire.

Guy has used the restricted length of this book to his advantage, splitting his work into three sections. Having read Guy's previous biography of More's daughter, Margaret, I was satisfied with the short biographical section which was detailed enough. Following that is a look as More's writings, focusing mainly on 'Utopia', and finally there is a look at More's legacy, both in terms of his story and also the view of him as a religious figure. As ever, Guy's work is scrupulously researched but also very readable. ( )

This is the book on Thomas More that I have wanted to read. Guy considers More's reputation both in his lifetime and since his death. If I could have one change, I would like to have a little more of the latter, a little more in depth understanding of why his reputation rose so high in the beginning of the 20th century, causing him to be somewhat belatedly sainted, not only by the Roman Catholic Church but by the Anglican Church. One wonders whether he would be pleased, bemused, or outraged by the latter. Guy discusses the accuracy of More's portrayal in Bolt's A Man for All Seasons which is how so many people are acquainted with him.

Guy argues that we know less about More than we think we do. Even during his lifetime, he and his fellow humanists were concerned witih the public persona and reputation. The books written shortly after his death, including by his son-in-law, William Roper, were very concerned with portraying him as a faultless hero cut down by a treacherous tyrant, fallen in defense of his faith. Erasmus only visited More fairly early in his married life, and his description of the 'little Utopia' in Chelsea is at second hand.

More still comes across as a gifted man caught between wanting to keep his head down (causing some to consider him a bit of a coward next to John Fisher) and wanting to fight against the changing religious situation in English (thus not being as silent and inoffensive as he was said to be.) He emerges from this somewhat more human and believable than he is often portrayed.

My one wish for a change is to have a little more information about how More came to be so prominent in our era, and sainted in the 1930s, 300 years after his death. He was sainted not only by the Roman Catholic church, but by the Church of England; the latter honor might have left him bemused if not outraged. ( )