Sister of Wisdom: St. Hildegard's Theology of the Feminine
Worth buying if: You study medieval theology or Christian mysticism.
Skip it if: You seek a general biography of St. Hildegard.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780520211629. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
Barbara Newman examines St. Hildegard of Bingen’s theology through the lens of the feminine, tracing how imagery, mystical vision, and doctrine shape a distinct spiritual voice across sermons, hymns, and visions.
Why this book now
Newman’s study remains a pivotal resource for readers interested in medieval theology, gendered spirituality, and Hildegard scholarship.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You study medieval theology or Christian mysticism.
- You want focused analysis of Hildegard’s feminine imagery.
- You seek a general biography of St. Hildegard.
- You prefer light or introductory overviews without scholarly apparatus.
- You are specifically hunting for the newest framing rather than a backlist perspective.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780520211629
Worth buying if: You study medieval theology or Christian mysticism.
Skip it if: You seek a general biography of St. Hildegard.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Balanced Moderate time
At 305 pages from University of California Press, expect a sustained academic engagement with close readings and theological argumentation.
What stands out here
This 1997 University of California Press edition presents Barbara Newman’s interpretive scholarship on Hildegard’s theology of the feminine for general-interest academic readers.
Best way to approach it
Read slowly with attention to quoted primary texts and Newman’s exegetical claims; useful to pause for note-taking or cross-referencing Hildegard’s writings.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780520211629
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.