Hilda Charlotte Graef (1907–1970)

1836. The Case of Therese Neumann, by Hilda C. Graef (read 16 Mar 1984) I remember seeing this book in a Washington book store window and being very interested in it. But not till now, some 30 years later, did I read it. I am surprised to find how devastating it is. The book is clearly written, with none of the "German" enthusiasm which disturbs me in all the pro-Therese Neumann books I have read. The author of this book relies very strongly on the opinion of Dr. Poray-Mordayski that the show more effects are a result of hysteria. One finds it hard to believe hysteria could, over so many years, produce the phenomena which have persisted. And she does not "explain" the absence from food very well. Some 31 persons reviewed this book, and 26 were favorable to the book. A similarly objective book should have been written by a defender, but if such has been written I do not know of it. show less

1200. The Scholar and the Cross: The Life and Work of Edith Stein, by Hilda C. Graef (read 27 Nov 1972) This is at times an enthralling book. Edith Stein was born at Breslau on Oct. 12, 1891. She studied with Edmund Husserl. She was baptized a Catholic on Jan 1, 1922. Much of the philosophical discussion of her work was not too meaningful to me. She taught at a girls' school for a while, but in 1933 became a Carmelite. I found the biographical part of the book of high interest--so German and show more so inspiring! In 1938 she was transferred to a Dutch Carmelite convent. The end of the book is so stark it sent a literal thrill of horror thru my whole being: "After that no more. For on 9 August 1942, the vigil of St Laurence, Edith Stein and her sister Rosa disappeared into the gas chamber at Auschwitz." This saint, entirely harmless in any way whatsoever to Hitler and his crew! Literally, Nazidom was satandom. show less

Pretty much a product of its time, the mid-'60's, with its skepticism, to say the least, concerning drug-induced epiphanies and institutional reluctance to acknowledge much, if any, kinship with eastern mysticism. Curiously dismissive, and brief, treatment of Meister Eckhart. No index, a significant disadvantage in a survey work. Still, a useful introduction.

3974. The Way of the Mystics, by H. C. Graef (read 14 Jan 2005) Because I so appreciated two previous books by this author (The Scholar and the Cross: The Life and Work of Edith Stein, read 27 Nov 1972, and The Case of Therese Neumann, read 16 Mar 1984) I decided to read this 1948 book of hers. She discusses interesting mystics but I did not find it compelling reading. She gives little by way of biographical information, and is pretty hagiographical whereas maybe a more objective account show more would have been better. show less