Rating: 
Summary: Schweitzer's life and thought:
Review: "Since my first years at the university I had grown increasingly to doubt the idea that mankind is steadily moving toward improvement. My impression was that the fire of its ideas was burning out without anyone noticing or worrying about it. ... What was just and equitable seemed to be pursued with only lukewarm zeal. I noticed a number of symptoms of intellectual and spiritual fatigue in this generation that is so proud of its achievements."
Albert Schweitzer was a man of action -- humanitarian, theologian, historian, musician, musical technologist, medical doctor, author, philosopher, missionary, professor, environmentalist, prisoner of war, recipient of the Nobel Prize. He writes an interesting autobiography, which is not surprising when one considers the breadth of his interests and of his achievements in science, the humanities and the arts. In his later years he was perhaps the most widely admired and respected person in the Western world.
Jimmy Carter offers a foreword in this volume; it is economical, a mere six sentences. Schweitzer's philosophical work may be well studied, but does not particularly distinguish itself in this volume (with some notable exceptions). His theological work (i.e., Christology) is generally questionable -- bound to Enlightenment fallacies of a "historical Jesus." I was happy to be concurrently reading the thoughts of a far better theologian, CS Lewis, on the idea of "discovering" a "historical" Jesus. While some of Schweitzer's ideas are [rightly] not highly regarded, his "life and thought" makes for unusually interesting biography. His "reverence for life" precept certainly has great value, but seems to be a less profoundly unique idea than he held it to be. Perhaps my view here is merely ignorant of the world in which Schweitzer lived.
He considered this book to be his best, or at least his preferred, writing, but if you are going to read only one book considering theological and historical exegetics, this is probably the wrong book. On the other hand, Schweitzer makes many observations cleanly and powerfully: "Our world rots in deceit. Our very attempt to manipulate truth itself brings us to ... [a truth] based on a skepticism that has become belief... It is superficial and inflexible." Kant had observed the intellectual paralysis of such "a skepticism that has become belief," but Schweitzer goes further, recognizing it as an even deeper spiritual paralysis.
While Schweitzer's Christology is, at the least, arguable, his firm commitment to Christ's commandment of love is a strong example of the Christian life led in the light of its Teacher's example. The author is [rightly] given to referring to Christianity as "the religion of love." In this aspect, Schweitzer at once offers the non-Christian a true image of Christianity and offers the Christian an important, if gentle, reminder. "[God] announces Himself in us as the will to love. The First Cause of Being, as He manifests Himself in nature, is to us always impersonal. To the First Cause of Being that is revealed to us in the will to love, however, we relate as to an ethical personality." And quoting Paul: "Love never faileth: but where there be knowledge it shall be done away."
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to Schweitzer's life and ethics.
Review:
Dr. Schweitzer's autobiography, this book describes both his life and his philosophy. It describes
his childhood and early years of theological study, his love of organs and Bach, his decision to enter missionary
work, the subsequent years of medical training, and his first 16 years of missionary work in Africa.
It covers his life up to 1930, when he was 55 years old.
A very readable book, this book is an excellent introduction to Dr. Schweitzer's life and ethics. According to the preface, he considered it his most important book. In Schweitzer's usual modest
but not self-denigrating style, he describes how he came to believe in the important of service to
humanity. The reader is bound to be awed by the scope of Schweitzer's intellectual and spiritual accomplishment, but reassured by the man's humble concern for others.
The only significant drawback of this book is that it ends fairly early in his missionary career. It is
left to others to complete his biography.
Rating:
Summary: seek ye first the kingdom....
Review: A memorable account of the theologian, musician, author, and philosopher who up and went to the jungle one day to become a doctor... and of the opposition he encountered by "people passing as Christians." If you are in doubt about whether to risk living your own dreams, then this is your book. Schweitzer relinquished everything, received everything, and was free.
Rating:
Summary: An inspiring journey with a true disciple of Christ
Review: Albert Schweitzer was an acclaimed organist, a world authority on Bach, a church pastor and principal of a theological seminary, a university professor with a doctorate in philosophy, and above all a humanitarian. This book gives a stunning account of how he grew into his ideals and I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in ethics or philosophy. I was left with an urge to read more about this true human, who believed and practiced the basic principle of goodness, as I finished reading the book. Schweitzer's faith in what he believes in and how he transforms it to the needy is absolutely inspiring. The epilogue of the book is very thought provoking as it gives a clear idea of his vision and the relevance of it in the world we live in.
Rating:
Summary: This a great book about a great man.
Review: I read this book for an assignment for school, and it was great. Not many people know about Albert Schweitzer, and what he did these days. However, Albert Schweitzer was one of the greatest man in the 20th century. This autobiography of him shows his thoughts and troubles in the early part of his life. His writing shows his kindness and genius. I reccommend this book to everybody.
Rating:
Summary: Drive and character=Schweitzer
Review: I'm still in awe as to where this man conjured up enough strength to accomplish the intellectual feats he attempted. The translation is very readable and the chapters are rather short; thus, in no time at all I was finished with this extraordinary autobiography. Schweitzer is an inspiration, role-model, and regardless of his philosophical beliefs and healthcare practices(which weren't mentioned in great detail in this book), a follower of Jesus The Christ.
Rating:
Summary: Drive and character=Schweitzer
Review: I'm still in awe as to where this man conjured up enough strength to accomplish the intellectual feats he attempted. The translation is very readable and the chapters are rather short; thus, in no time at all I was finished with this extraordinary autobiography. Schweitzer is an inspiration, role-model, and regardless of his philosophical beliefs and healthcare practices(which weren't mentioned in great detail in this book), a follower of Jesus The Christ.
Rating: 
Summary: For students of this great mind, this is a must read.
Review: There is no better short book available on the mind and thoughts of Albert Schweitzer than this book. His theology on Jesus and Paul, his thoughts on Bach and organ building, his philosophy on Reverence for Life are all laid out here. George Marshall (see my review of Marshall's excellent biography: Schweitzer) once asked Dr. Schweitzer what professors would best provide him an education on Schweitzer's thoughts. He replied that Marshall should not go to professors but "read my books! No one can express the ideas of a man as well as he has expressed them himself.... read my books". Bob Frost of "Biography Magazine" once wrote, "Albert Schweitzer is not exactly forgotten today, but his name won't crop up in daily conversation. Fifty years ago, though, people talked about Schweitzer all the time. An American magazine selected him, ahead of Albert Einstein, as the "world's greatest living nonpolitical person." He was the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary, won the Nobel Peace Prize, and appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Fueled by idealism and burning spiritual passion, this medical missionary led one of the most intense lives of the 20th century." Be apprized that "Out of my Life and Thoughts" is not an easy read. Dr. Schweitzer's theology and philosophy, though dense, is not incomprehensible. And due to the translation from French to English, you many find yourself reading a passage multiple times to get the gist his thoughts. That said, for students of this great mind, this is a must read. Strongly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: For students of this great mind, this is a must read.
Review: There is no better short book available on the mind and thoughts of Albert Schweitzer than this book. His theology on Jesus and Paul, his thoughts on Bach and organ building, his philosophy on Reverence for Life are all laid out here. George Marshall (see my review of Marshall's excellent biography: Schweitzer) once asked Dr. Schweitzer what professors would best provide him an education on Schweitzer's thoughts. He replied that Marshall should not go to professors but "read my books! No one can express the ideas of a man as well as he has expressed them himself.... read my books". Bob Frost of "Biography Magazine" once wrote, "Albert Schweitzer is not exactly forgotten today, but his name won't crop up in daily conversation. Fifty years ago, though, people talked about Schweitzer all the time. An American magazine selected him, ahead of Albert Einstein, as the "world's greatest living nonpolitical person." He was the subject of an Oscar-winning documentary, won the Nobel Peace Prize, and appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Fueled by idealism and burning spiritual passion, this medical missionary led one of the most intense lives of the 20th century." Be apprized that "Out of my Life and Thoughts" is not an easy read. Dr. Schweitzer's theology and philosophy, though dense, is not incomprehensible. And due to the translation from French to English, you many find yourself reading a passage multiple times to get the gist his thoughts. That said, for students of this great mind, this is a must read. Strongly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Reverance for Life
Review: This is a remarkable book in so far as it brings a much greater depth to Schweitzer than one might get without it. While Schweitzer has many insightful things to write, how he writes and what he says about himself conveys quite a lot. I think the figure of Albert Schweitzer has become cliched over the decades. Reading how he saw the world is time well spent and shows how shallow cliches can be.
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