The Letters of St Bernard of Clairvaux

Book excerpt: This classic translation of the correspondence of Bernard is reprinted with a new introduction which takes into account the wealth of scholarship which has appeared in the last forty years. Professor Kienzle discusses the translation of medieval and monastic letter-writing and provides a new chronology and select bibliography. First published in 1953, James' translation set the standard for readability, accuracy, and verve; 'it is difficult to see how his translation can be improved' 'David N. Bell