This is well researched and written book. It starts by reviewing a modern critic of Athanasius, R.P. Hanson writing about the " misconduct" of Athanasius. Allegations of misconduct, blatant self-interest have been leveled at Athanasius. These allegations however, differ radically with many past and present writers who praised Athanasius conduct, e.g. J.H. Newman in 1890 described Athanasius as "the great theologian", "courageous heart", and "champion of the truth". The author examined the critics accusations which includes; 1) forged documents included in Athanasius records, 2) irregularities in the consecration of Athanasius, and 3) use of intentional and often brutal violence to suppress the Meletian schism in Egypt. These accusations stem primarily from studies based on 1) reports by Philostrogius 5th century historian, 2) London Papyrus 1914, published by H.I. Bell, and 3) festival oration of Gregory Nazianzen, in which he defended and eulogized Athanasius.

The author reviewed the events related to the Meletian schism, the rise of Arian heresy, the alliance between the Meletians and the Arians, and the developments that led to and events of the synod of Tyre 335 AD. Among the accusations leveled by the Meletians and Arians against Athanasius is the use of brutal violence against Arsenius. The author rebuts these accusations based on ascertaining the facts and Athanasius own writing, e.g. "the truth is not preached with swords or with darts nor by means of soldiers, but by persuasion and counsel". He further notes " many of the contemporary views concerning Athanasius have less to do with documentary evidence than with historical literary tradition that grew out of the first attempts to prove Athanasius to be a forger." The analysis of the London 1914 papyrus shows the importance of faithfulness to accurate translation of ancient texts. It also shows that the context is of utmost importance for understanding and the analysis of the text.

The book refutes the allegations made against Athanasius based on examining the historical events, researching source documents, proper contextual analysis for old documents, and point by point rebuttal of the allegations. The book may not lend itself for easy reading for the casual reader. By its nature as the product of research work it tends to address a scholarly audience and an audience with a high level of interest in the topic.

I had been looking for a biography of Athanasius which was thorough and scholarly, yet without the anti-Athanasius bias that seems to have infected so many of the modern academics who reflexively despise anything to do with defending orthodox belief. It also had to be sufficiently readable for a general reader (someone not a trained historian and unfamiliar with Greek) to make sense of the events being described, without having prior in-depth knowledge of the subject. The Early Episcopal Career of Athanasius of Alexandria fulfilled and exceeded these expectations for the period it covers. If I can find a book on the life of St. Athanasius after the Synod of Tyre that is half as good as this one, I will be a happy man.