Customer Reviews
Compelling! - By: Mrs. H. Murray Hill, 17 Dec 2008 
I expected to find this an interesting but possibly rather challenging read! Instead I was knocked out by the clarity of the Rupert Shortt's treatment of the theology. The book hasn't changed my view of Rowan Williams himself; I started by thinking he was a holy man & robust intellectualin a world which appears to have little place for either. Although there is much more evidence herein support of that view than against it, the author made a reasonable attempt to present alternative views, & didn't baulk at examining the downside of Rowan's approach to his role as Archbishop of Canterbury. As another reviewer has pointed out, the account of the conduct of some of the operators behind the scenesin the CofE makes grim reading, though. I found some of the stories about Rowan's acts of personal kindness, & his clear modesty, loyalty & gift for friendship, tremendously moving.
I've already recommended Rowan's Rule to a number of colleagues & friends. Anyone with an interestin public life should read it - of any faith, or none.
Bared by Rupert. - By: Paul James Cocksedge, 22 Nov 2008 Rupert Short is Religious Editor of 'The Times Literary Supplement' & was formerly a staff journalist on 'The Church Times' & Assistant Editor of the liberal (Roman) Catholic magazine 'The Tablet'. He has previously authored a short "sketch" of the same subject entitled 'Rowan Williams: An Introduction' (2002), & 'Gods Advocates:Christian Thinkers In Conversation'(2005) which features a significant contribution by Rowan Williams & is probably more for those wishing to gain an insight into the Archbishops theological perpectives rather than this present volume.
'Rowans Rule' is a serious, heavy-weight study (466 pages) of the life of Rowan Williams current Archbishop of Canterbury written by someone who is (unsurprisingly given the journalistic credentials given above), profoundly sympathetic to his subjects liberal Catholicism or "Radical Orthodoxy".
This book is a traditionaly structured 'life' & although Rowans personal theology & more abstract matters are coveredin Chapters 2 & 4 the emphasis is firmly on giving a full account of its subjects biographyin all its fullness. It is divided into two parts & ten chapters, with the first half covering Williams early lifein Wales, education, Oxford & academia; basically his life & career "pre-Lambeth". The second half covers his period as Archbishop of Canterbury from appointmentin 2002 upto the 2008 Lambeth Conference & related contraverses.
As you would expect there is, thankfully, no tabloid style tittle-tattle or scandalsin this volume, the nearest you get to one is the story of the tragic suicide of Lori Watson, a disturbed young women who felin love with Rowan whilst he was a student at Oxford, & whom he tried to help.
As already noted the author is clearly sympathetic to Williams religious convictions, this knowledge plus the fact that this study was not only authorised by the Archbishop but that he also actively contributed to its contents should indicate to the potential reader the books understandable bias. Rowans detractors may characterise this as 'spin', but writing as somebody who shares the authors sympathy, I would say that if anyonein this country actually NEEDS to start 'spinning' its Rowan Williams!
That caveat aside, this is an impressive piece of sholarship, meticuluosly researched, insightful, intelligent & written with great warmth for its subject. A must read for Anglicans & recommended to anyone who wishes to see beyond the characatures & misrepresentations of both the right-wing media & the Fundamentalist plotters within Rowan Williams own Church (thats the real scandal).
Rowans Rule' is a brilliantly realised 'life' of one of the Christian worlds foremost leaders & intellectuals & (dare I say it) 'National Treasure'!
Thoughtful and helpful - By: Mr C Goble, 11 Nov 2008 This book is a wonderful introduction to, for me, one of the greats to have held the role as Archbishop. Thoughtful & intelligent, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to understand the issues facing the Church of England & Anglicanism, but it is wider than that, & would make good reading. It is good to understand why,in light of Sharia comments & the gay issue, Williams can provoke such a response.
