Memoirs of a Happy Failure

by Timothy M. Dolan (Foreword by), John Henry Crosby (Contribution by)

Overview

The Courage and Perseverance of One of Our Greatest Minds

Alice von Hildebrand is a household name to millions. But little is known of the story of her life, notably the thirty-seven years she spent at Hunter College in New York City. There, despite systematic opposition that might have defeated even the strongest of souls, she endured with grace and devotion, leaving a mark on a generation of students through her defense of truth through persuasion, wit, and love. By showing her students how truth fulfills the deepest longings of the human heart, she helped to liberate countless students from the oppressive relativism of the day, enabling many of them to find their way to God. Now, for the first time, discover the details of Alice von Hildebrand's compelling and influential life, including:

• her thrilling escape from Europe that was nearly halted by a Nazi ship
• her early days in America and her dedication to education and cultivating wisdom
• her marriage to the great philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand,
• her victories and defeats at Hunter where she combated a culture dedicated to relativism
• and much more...

The Memoirs of a Happy Failure is a fascinating and essential glimpse into the life of one of contemporary Catholicism's most compelling minds. It is the story of courage, faith, and the grace of God acting in the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781618901262
Publisher:	Saint Benedict Press
Publication date:	06/01/2014
Pages:	200
Sales rank:	281,492
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.00(d)

Editorial Reviews

"This intimate, poignant memoir demonstrates the power of placing one's trust in God and therein finding the strength to endure suffering and transform lives.  
Lily Von Hildebrand has done just that.  She is a treasure, and her story a must-read.”

—Raymond Arroyo, New York Times Best Selling Author of Mother Angelica and the Kerman Derman Chronicles. EWTN News Managing Editor. 

"Just as she is herself, Alice von Hildebrand's memoir of her years at Hunter College is a glistering, brilliant, priceless gem. She is so witty, wise, and indefatigable in her stand for Truth that simply to be in her presence, whether in the classroom or in the vital pages of this book, is to be profoundly inspired. I am only grieved it is not much longer and sorry it wasn't published years ago. Her voice is a matchless gift: edifying, galvanizing, and wildly entertaining.”  
             —Eric Metaxas, New York Times Bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and host of Socrates in the City
 

“Memoirs of a Happy Failure fill us with gratitude for the gift of Dr. Alice von Hildebrand’s life in Christ, lived with so much integrity and vigor over many years, as she has tirelessly given witness to the truth by both her example and her teaching.  Especially noteworthy are the chapters of her memoirs which treat the challenges she faced during her thirty-seven years of teaching at Hunter College.  Amidst the often difficult challenges, she experienced the incomparable blessing of students inspired, through the knowledge of truth gained in her philosophy courses, to seek Him who is Truth and to receive the gift of faith in Christ Who alone is our salvation.  Dr. von Hildebrand was a highly competent professor who truly loved her students and, therefore, rejoiced, above all, when they came to the truth at its living source in God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  I am confident that Memoirs of a Happy Failure, by which Dr. Alice von Hildebrand recounts her life and work as a philosopher, will encourage the reader, and particularly all teachers, to be steadfast in speaking and living “the truth in love” (Cf. Eph 4:15).”
                 
                   —His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura 
 

From the Publisher