As the other reviewers have said, this book is truly a classic, and like most of Gilson's opus is well worth reading by anyone interested in philosophy. Particularly strong are the early chapters on being (ontology) and on Aquinas's famous proofs of the existence of God.

Gilson wants to convince as well as explain, so the tone can be a little tendentious at times, but generally his prose is lucid, even lyrical. Also, in my opinion the final chapter somewhat blurs the distinction between Thomism and saving faith.

Ultimately, however, this book fully succeeds in getting under the skin of Thomistic philosophy. After reading it, you may never see "things" in quite the same way.

Clear. Concise. Masterful. A true classic. If you want to understand Aquinas, read Gilson's book first. Then read it three more times.

Gilson has exceptional skill in explaining difficult philosophical concepts. He lays out the existential foundations of St. Thomas Aquinas' thought and makes a compelling case that "the metaphysical positions of Aquinas are still far ahead of what is considered most progressive in the philosophical thought of our own times." Gilson relates the thought of Aquinas to that of his predecessors, especially Aristotle and Augustine. Although this book can be difficult reading at times, the reader will be rewarded by the effort.

If you don't know Latin, you will have trouble fully understanding what Gilson says, for he uses many Latin quotes from St. Thomas, and Latin slogans, which are left untranslated. The book is a terrific examination and refutation of the recent attempts of neo-Thomists to establish a "critical ralism," which, so Gilson argues, is impossible because it is self-contradictory. There is no such thing as a critical realism. Gilson shows and explains why true Thomistic/Aristotelian realism is beyond the Critique of Knowledge and refuses to pose the critical problem. As soon as one accepts the Cartesian Cogito as one's starting point, it is inevitable that one will fall into idealism. True realism defies the Cogito, and can do so reasonably, for it starts with the true first principle, which is being. An excellet book by an excellent neo-Thomistic author, but sometimes hard to understand. What a pity it's out of print...

Etienne Gilson brilliantly plumbs the depths of Thomistic Realism, and false Thomisms as well, in this answer to Kantian modernism. The volume, exquisitely translated, is 'must reading' for any student entering the modern university. This book brings the essential elements of philosophy into view as a cohesive, readily understandable, and erudite structure, and does so rigorously in the best tradition of St. Thomas. If you must read only one book on philosophy or if you want to make philosophy you life's work, read this book first.

One of the greatest Catholic thinkers of the twentieth century, Etiene Gilson, discusses, interprets, and expounds, in his work "The Elements of Christian Philosophy," the Philosophy of St Thomas Aquinas in terms that the educated laymen and student will find beneficial and fairly simple to soak in. This is a great summation of the "Summa," and should be placed next to Ralph McInerny's work and other accomplished commentators' treatment of St Thomas' oeuvre.