{"product_id":"just-john-9780281058280","title":"Just John","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authorized biography of John Habgood by one of the people who knew him best, that 'ecclesiastical version of Alan Bennett', Bishop David Wilbourne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn absolutely beautiful piece of work which well catches Archbishop Habgood, the last Anglican theologian I used to make the walk to the Lords’ chamber to hear speak. Lord Habgood would smile with pleasure and amusement to read it. -- Matthew Parris\u003cbr\u003eFew are better placed than David Wilbourne to open up the life of one of the twentieth century's great Anglican figures. Scientist of precocious prodigy, shooter of silent looks, sincerely loved pastor and friend; all the sides of the astonishing man that was John Habgood are brought to life here with wit, poignancy, and affection. -- Fergus Butler-Gallie, author of A Field Guide to the English Clergy\u003cbr\u003eBeautiful, humorous, touching and revealing. -- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\u003cbr\u003eWith all the wit and originality of his earlier books, David Wilbourne offers a warm, perceptive portrait of one of the great Anglican intellects of the last hundred years.  Those who thought John Habgood only a cerebral and rather remote personality will find a very three-dimensional figure here; and we are given some sense of just what a rich – and sometimes even risky – contribution Archbishop Habgood made to the good of both society and Church. -- Lord Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-12)\u003cbr\u003eLord Habgood was a towering presence, physically, intellectually, and spiritually, and David paints a wonderful picture of this sorely missed servant of God. -- John Sentamu, Archbishop of York (2005-20)\u003cbr\u003e‘In this excellent biography the true John Habgood emerges . . . I count it a huge privilege to have worked closely with John, a wise human being and clearly one of the outstanding Archbishops of the twentieth century.’ -- Lord Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury (1991–2002)\u003cbr\u003eJohn Habgood was a man of great intellectual and moral substance who played a key role at a difficult time for the Church of England. David Wilbourne, his former chaplain, catches the essence of the man with admiration, affection and humour in this highly readable and important biography. -- Lord Richard Harries, Bishop of Oxford (1987-2006)\u003cbr\u003eAs Archbishop’s Chaplain the author was privileged to know and understand him. For those who stood in awe of Archbishop John and thought him aloof, this book portrays a man of prayer and personal simplicity, devoted to his family and a caring pastor. The author tells the story of John Habgood with admiration, affection and with humour which brings both tears of laughter and tears of sadness at the loss of a great and wise Archbishop. -- Dame Mary Tanner\u003cbr\u003eThis biography is perceptive, sensitive, wide-ranging, intelligent and honest, qualities which John Habgood himself possessed in abundance. It captures him magnificently and shows how very fortunate the Church of England – and the wider Church – was to have this prayerful, thoughtful, highly articulate apologist as one of its leaders, even if it did not always appreciate the great gifts he put at its disposal. -- Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales (2003-17)\u003cbr\u003eDavid Wilbourne’s rooted biography has taught me much about John the human being, who delighted in the sacrament of the present moment, and who seems to go on teaching me how to be a Christian and a bishop. -- Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003cbr\u003eWith his perceptive insights and sometimes wry sense of humour, David Wilbourne brings ‘Just John’ to life as a towering intellect, a pastor, priest and bishop bearing the huge burdens and responsibilities of both Church and state, yet never succumbing to the pettiness of factions, disputes and differences - and always seeking to bring and hold people together. -- Lord David Hope, Archbishop of York (1995-2005)\u003cbr\u003eA sensitive, insightful and loving portrait of a great Archbishop of York. -- George Stack, RC Archbishop of Cardiff\u003cbr\u003eWith his customary wit and nerve to tell it as it is, David Wilbourne well catches John Habgood, who despite his  alleged coldness, was one of the most genuine and gentle of men. -- Gordon Bates, Bishop of Whitby (1983-99)\u003cbr\u003eJohn Habgood was a giant of the twentieth century and no-one is better placed to write his biography than David Wilbourne . . .  David has poetry in his soul and writes beautifully as well as perceptively. -- John Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003cbr\u003eSomeone described a biography as a novel with an index! As John Habgood's last Episcopal appointment, I can vouch that this is no novel. Bishop David Wilbourne, once his Chaplain, captures faithfully the public face and the private thoughts of one of the greatest bishops of the twentieth century. David ministered with him and to him. He shows how John Habgood shaped the Church of England and defined its role and relationship to the State. In these pages you'll hear the Archbishop's wisdom, feel his pastoral touch and see his vision for a Church immersed and baptized into God's world. -- James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (1998-2013)\u003cbr\u003eA beautifully-crafted and intimate portrait of one of the Church of England's most profound thinkers of recent times. -- Angela Tilby, Canon Emeritus of Christ Church, Oxford, BBC Radio Four Thought for the Day contributor, author and BBC producer\u003cbr\u003e. . . provides a rich pageant of the life of the Church of England in the latter half of the 20th century . . . warmly recommended. * Transforming Ministry *\u003cbr\u003eA valuable biography of an unusually influential priest, scientist, college principal, bishop, archbishop, husband and father. -- Malcolm Grundy * Rural Theology *","brand":"SPCK Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48733489463639,"sku":"9780281058280","price":18.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780281058280.jpg?v=1720000268","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/just-john-9780281058280","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}