Ebook
A major figure in twentieth-century Christianity, Geoffrey Fisher worked to modernize the Church of England and to develop the worldwide Anglican Communion. His historic meeting with Pope John XXIII, his participation in national debates on the Suez Crisis and nuclear weapons, and his role in crowning Queen Elizabeth II made him a well-known figure in postwar Britain. His neglect by professional historians is partly remedied by this new biography, the first scholarly account of Fisher's life and career.
"This concise and readable biography of Geoffrey Fisher . . .
will retain its usefulness for a wider audience who do not need or
want the detail of the longer works and yet are specifically
interested in the meaning and effect of his archiepiscopate."
--Bradley A. Peterson, Anglican Theological Review
"This study by David Hein draws attention to a figure who has been
undervalued. No attempt is made to defend Fisher's shortcomings,
while credit is given to his achievements. This book is a valuable
contribution to a re-evaluation of the life and times of Geoffrey
Fisher and provides important insight into the difficult post-war
period in the life of the Anglican Church and world-wide
Communion."
--Cuthbert Johnson, Revue d'histoire ecclesiastique
"[A] fine book. . . . Hein gives us an excellent, balanced
overview."
--Bernard Aspinwall, Catholic Historical Review
A "brief but trenchant biography."... Hein "regards Fisher's
primacy as 'pivotal' and one that cries out for fresh examination.
This he provides in good measure--and with commendable brevity....
But the book has been completed with a scholar's attention to
detail. It is immensely readable, with plenty of good stories and
succinct summings-up. Hein covers clearly and concisely all the
great issues of Church and State with which Fisher had to
deal...."
--Bernard Palmer, The Church Times
"Hein rightly emphasises [Fisher's] ecumenical endeavours.... In
order to provide an accurate picture of these times Hein has not
stinted himself in studying the literature of those years. As well
as its ecclesiastical history, he has given us interesting flavours
of the period from contemporary fiction. The bibliography is
impressive... [A] significant monograph."
--Donald Gray, Journal of Ecclesiastical History
"Hein remarks that Fisher's time as archbishop of Canterbury was 'a
pivotal archiepiscopate, one that cries out for fresh examination.'
He has made it clear why this was so and contributed helpfully to
such a reexamination...."
--Colin Brown, Anglican and Episcopal History
"David Hein has pulled off a remarkable feat in producing a short
book on a very complex character."
--Robert Jeffery, The Expository Times
"This is a fascinating book--biographical, analytical, and
thorough. Particularly interesting is the section that details
Fisher's role in the creation of four Anglican provinces in Africa
between 1951 and 1960."
--The Living Church
"Hein's book is an excellent introduction to Fisher, and his
bibliography is superb. The book is well written, and the final
chapter is an admirable summing up not only of Fisher's career but
also of the state of the Church of England before, during, and
after the years of his archiepiscopate."
--James Dunkly, Sewanee Theological Review
"What a splendid book. Thought-provoking, exceedingly well written,
wise and balanced in its account--not only of Fisher's abilities
and achievements but also of his deficiencies and missed
opportunities, Hein's work skillfully blends biography and
theological analysis with political, cultural, and social
history."
--David L. Holmes, College of William and Mary
"David Hein here offers an elegant appraisal of his subject,
placing Fisher in a succession of shifting landscapes and measuring
his role with an acute eye. A superb portrait, it is the work of a
historian of genuine distinction."
--Andrew Chandler, George Bell Institute at the University of
Chichester
"Whilst eminently scholarly and appropriately demanding for the
reader, this biography holds one's attention--a significant
achievement, and much to be commended!"
--Ann Loades, University of Durham, UK, Emerita
"One of the best historians of church and society at work today,
David Hein provides us with a keen and much-needed assessment of
Fisher's archiepiscopate. This book is essential reading for anyone
interested in the development of today's Anglican Communion."
--Fredrica Harris Thompsett, President, Historical Society of the
Episcopal Church
"By highlighting the career of Geoffrey Fisher against the
background of the dramatic times and cultural changes through which
he lived, David Hein offers a judicious and insightful portrait.
Fisher's accomplishments and shortcomings stand out in this lucid
biography."
--Bishop Frederick Borsch, Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia
"David Hein's treatment of Archbishop Fisher's career throws a
great deal of light on the Church of England, Britain in the
mid-twentieth century, and the place of religion in Europe and in
the developing world following World War II. His assessment of
Fisher as leader of the international Anglican Communion is
particularly illuminating."
--W. Brown Patterson, University of the South, Emeritus
"This short, accessible book is helpful to both the professional
scholar and interested amateur who wish to gain a greater
understanding of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion
more widely during the turbulent post-war period."
--Wendy Dackson, Ripon College, Cuddesdon
"This volume should find its way on to the shelf of every priest's
study as it both informs and enriches our understanding about a
crucial period of Anglican and
ecumenical history."
- John A. Moses, Journal of Religious History
"This concise and readable biography of Geoffrey Fisher . . .
will retain its usefulness for a wider audience who do not need or
want the detail of the longer works and yet are specifically
interested in the meaning and effect of his archiepiscopate."
--Bradley A. Peterson, Anglican Theological Review
"This study by David Hein draws attention to a figure who has been
undervalued. No attempt is made to defend Fisher's shortcomings,
while credit is given to his achievements. This book is a valuable
contribution to a re-evaluation of the life and times of Geoffrey
Fisher and provides important insight into the difficult post-war
period in the life of the Anglican Church and world-wide
Communion."
--Cuthbert Johnson, Revue d'histoire ecclesiastique
"[A] fine book. . . . Hein gives us an excellent, balanced
overview."
--Bernard Aspinwall, Catholic Historical Review
A "brief but trenchant biography."... Hein "regards Fisher's
primacy as 'pivotal' and one that cries out for fresh examination.
This he provides in good measure--and with commendable brevity....
But the book has been completed with a scholar's attention to
detail. It is immensely readable, with plenty of good stories and
succinct summings-up. Hein covers clearly and concisely all the
great issues of Church and State with which Fisher had to
deal...."
--Bernard Palmer, The Church Times
"Hein rightly emphasises [Fisher's] ecumenical endeavours.... In
order to provide an accurate picture of these times Hein has not
stinted himself in studying the literature of those years. As well
as its ecclesiastical history, he has given us interesting flavours
of the period from contemporary fiction. The bibliography is
impressive... [A] significant monograph."
--Donald Gray, Journal of Ecclesiastical History
"Hein remarks that Fisher's time as archbishop of Canterbury was 'a
pivotal archiepiscopate, one that cries out for fresh examination.'
He has made it clear why this was so and contributed helpfully to
such a reexamination...."
--Colin Brown, Anglican and Episcopal History
"David Hein has pulled off a remarkable feat in producing a short
book on a very complex character."
--Robert Jeffery, The Expository Times
"This is a fascinating book--biographical, analytical, and
thorough. Particularly interesting is the section that details
Fisher's role in the creation of four Anglican provinces in Africa
between 1951 and 1960."
--The Living Church
"Hein's book is an excellent introduction to Fisher, and his
bibliography is superb. The book is well written, and the final
chapter is an admirable summing up not only of Fisher's career but
also of the state of the Church of England before, during, and
after the years of his archiepiscopate."
--James Dunkly, Sewanee Theological Review
"What a splendid book. Thought-provoking, exceedingly well written,
wise and balanced in its account--not only of Fisher's abilities
and achievements but also of his deficiencies and missed
opportunities, Hein's work skillfully blends biography and
theological analysis with political, cultural, and social
history."
--David L. Holmes, College of William and Mary
"David Hein here offers an elegant appraisal of his subject,
placing Fisher in a succession of shifting landscapes and measuring
his role with an acute eye. A superb portrait, it is the work of a
historian of genuine distinction."
--Andrew Chandler, George Bell Institute at the University of
Chichester
"Whilst eminently scholarly and appropriately demanding for the
reader, this biography holds one's attention--a significant
achievement, and much to be commended!"
--Ann Loades, University of Durham, UK, Emerita
"One of the best historians of church and society at work today,
David Hein provides us with a keen and much-needed assessment of
Fisher's archiepiscopate. This book is essential reading for anyone
interested in the development of today's Anglican Communion."
--Fredrica Harris Thompsett, President, Historical Society of the
Episcopal Church
"By highlighting the career of Geoffrey Fisher against the
background of the dramatic times and cultural changes through which
he lived, David Hein offers a judicious and insightful portrait.
Fisher's accomplishments and shortcomings stand out in this lucid
biography."
--Bishop Frederick Borsch, Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia
"David Hein's treatment of Archbishop Fisher's career throws a
great deal of light on the Church of England, Britain in the
mid-twentieth century, and the place of religion in Europe and in
the developing world following World War II. His assessment of
Fisher as leader of the international Anglican Communion is
particularly illuminating."
--W. Brown Patterson, University of the South, Emeritus
"This short, accessible book is helpful to both the professional
scholar and interested amateur who wish to gain a greater
understanding of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion
more widely during the turbulent post-war period."
--Wendy Dackson, Ripon College, Cuddesdon
"This volume should find its way on to the shelf of every priest's
study as it both informs and enriches our understanding about a
crucial period of Anglican and
ecumenical history."
- John A. Moses, Journal of Religious History
David Hein is Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Hood College and coauthor of The Episcopalians.