The late Isadore Twersky of Harvard, an internationally reknowned scholar and walking repository of countless disciplines of knowledge paved the way for a particularly grand level of scholarship in his Rabad of Posquieres. With a keen sense of language, a broad and sweeping grasp of history, an all encompassing awareness of the medieval mind and the protocols and methodology of its legal writings, Twersky portrays a multifaceted medieval legal thinker and the many tensions in the writings and thought of this pivotal figure of 12th century Provence. Twersky's treatment of Rabad reveals an extraordinary mastery of intellectual history and serves to illuminate through the Rabad, the life and history of the Jews in southern France in the 12th century. The work is a supreme specimen of Twersky's style and multifaceted approach toward the study of religious thinkers.His historic thrust, halakhic focus and analytical methodology are not for the intellectual faint hearted and will require serious and proficient knowledge of Jewish texts, legal sources and medieval history to appreciate the profundity of Twersky's analysis and contribution to Jewish thought and intellectual history. Twersky's work is a must for the Jewish historian, Talmudist, Halakhist and philosopher.

I agree witht the other reviewers that this book is the best 1-volume collection of the works of Maimonides. It is especially useful in that it does not only focus on the philosophical magnum opus "Guide of the Perplexed" , but also on the parts of the commentary on the mishnah, occasional letters and especially the legal code Mishneh Torah, of which Twersky brings extensive quotes. Twersky's great contribution to Maimonidean studies was to show how the legal works illustrate many of the religio-philosophical concerns which are reflected in the other works. However, in this anthology , the reader will find it difficult to distinguish between legal statements made by Maimonides as part of the Jewish legal tradition based on Talmudic statements, and texts which are clearly informed by his specific religious philsophy. Perhaps the anthology could have been annonated more fully, especially after Twersky's later book "Introduction to the Code of Maimonides" which devoted much space to that issue, appeared. Perhaps one of Twersky's students could try to produce a synthesis of the two books.

The late Isadore Twersky's Maimonides Reader remains the best of its sort. Maimonides was the most unique Jewish writer and thinker since Talmudic days. The scope of his writings and influence are immesurable. This book brings many of his writings to the English reader and does an admirable job at that.

If you are interested in the thought of Moses Maimonides (1138-1204), Judaism's most profound and influential philosopher and one of the most important Medieval thinkers, this must be the place to begin. Professor Twersky of Harvard University, widely acknowledged as the living master of Maimonidean scholarship, has compiled a reader that simultaniously presents the pearls of Maimonidean wisdom (in excellent translation from Hebrew and Arabic) along with extremely readible prefaces and a fine biography and bibliography. Thousands of students of philosophy and religion (of all faiths and backgrounds) have been introduced to the works of Maimonides via Twersky's concise reader. Highly recommended for the scholar and the layperson alike