Butler's Lives of the Saints: Concise, Modernized Edition

One needs to first remember that the original Butler's Lives of the Saints has been frequently edited and revised, beginning with Thurston and Attwater. Since that edition, there have been numerous attempts at updating and revising based(especially)on the new Roman Calendar of 1969. For more learned opinions and observations, please search out and read the other reviews of the series and other editions made by readers. That being said, I do believe that this edition by Bernard Bangley is a particularly fine attempt at balancing the lives, stories and examples of the saints, when compared with so many of the other concise editions. Bangley states in the Introduction: "To make the collection under these covers as broad as possible, preference is often given to women, laity, recent candidates for sainthood, country of origin, and above all, spiritual relevance for today. Rather than overly repeating familiar themes, I have given special attention to the distinctive aspects of interesting individuals. Many saints are not included. The Church has never assumed that even its extensive list is complete. Moreover, only God knows many saints." (ix-x) Its best feature, however, is Bangley's very careful attempt to avoid imposing his own opinions, perspectives, editorials and agendas. He states the facts and history, within the context of the times and circumstances of the individual saint/blessed. This cannot be said of some of the other editors and versions currently(or have been previously) published. Finally, from the back cover page: "Butler's daily readings give us a unique opportunity to engage directly with these great figures of faith. Turning attention away from the superhuman, miraculous themes that are prevalent in earlier works, Butler gives us saints who are examples of Christian living and practice, who provide inspiritation for our own lives, in every time and circumstance. As Butler writes: '"They were once what we are now, travelers on earth. They had the same weaknesses we have. We have difficulties; so had the saints."'" If one wants the fantastic, 'golden legend' glorious stories of the miracles of the saints, then the original Butler's would be a great resource - and indeed, those are an integral part of our Christian story-telling heritage. On the other hand, the saints are also real flesh-and-blood people like each of us. They are teachers of life and faith, and we can study their struggles, their examples, their responses. This is one version I highly recommend.