Beyond Power

This sensitive and wide-ranging study addresses all the main areas of Weil?s formidable culture, demonstrating how, through her use of the Greek classics, Marx, the great texts of Christian piety and Eastern philosophy among other sources of inspiration in her passionate and single-minded quest for truth, her spirit soars above any narrow sectarian bias or historical contingency, making her as relevant for our troubled times as she was in the dark days through which she lived. Taking the clauses of the 'Our Father' one by one and examining Weil?s thought in their light, Avery shows convincingly how, through a spirit of prayer, the ultimate source of authority is not power, but love... -- J. P. Little, St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University
This is an important and exciting book. Broad in scope and with generous depth of enquiry, it echoes the tone of its human subject, described by Camus as 'the only great spirit of our time.' It deserves to become itself the authoritative work on Simone Weil. Its great merit lies in the rich social, historical and cultural contextualization of her oeuvre which is hugely revitalized in consequence. Simone Weil's understanding of authority is reconsidered in the light of urgent contemporary concerns and vital new life breathed into it. Avery has succeeded in the daunting task of examining a comprehensive range of secondary sources, and provides both interesting, and in this election year, timely glosses on their interpretations. The magisterial strength of this book, however, lies in its response to the thoughts and words of Simone Weil herself, to which its author returns with the kind of attention she herself so brilliantly describes. -- Siân Miles, University of Warwick
The book should be helpful as a general introduction to Weil's thought. Avery provides useful summaries of the principal areas of interest in Weil's writings . . . After reading the book one would have a good idea of how to proceed with one's own study of Simone Weil. * The Review of Politics *
The book should be helpful.... as a general introduction to Weil's thought. Avery provides useful summaries of the principal areas of interest in Weil's writings and.... gives clear explanations of her basic approach in each area. After reading the book one would have a good idea of how to proceed with one's own study of Simone Weil. * The Review of Politics, 2009 (Vol 71) *
The rich cultural knowledge of Desmond Avery has enabled him to interpret brilliantly the genius of Simone Weil. He presents persuasively her life-giving view of authority. -- Gerald O'Collins, author of Salvation for All: God's Other Peoples
This sensitive and wide-ranging study addresses all the main areas of Weil’s formidable culture, demonstrating how, through her use of the Greek classics, Marx, the great texts of Christian piety and Eastern philosophy among other sources of inspiration in her passionate and single-minded quest for truth, her spirit soars above any narrow sectarian bias or historical contingency, making her as relevant for our troubled times as she was in the dark days through which she lived. Taking the clauses of the 'Our Father' one by one and examining Weil’s thought in their light, Avery shows convincingly how, through a spirit of prayer, the ultimate source of authority is not power, but love. -- J. P. Little, St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University