"David Konstan's superb book is the first comprehensive and critical examination of the early history of Western ideas of forgiveness. Konstan's magisterial grasp of the relevant texts and thinkers from the ancient Greek and Roman periods through early Christian and Judaic sources to the Church Fathers is extraordinary. Contemporary discussions of forgiveness often make a number of unexamined assumptions about the historical sources of this crucial moral idea, and these influence how it is understood. It turns out, in Konstan's view, that the modern notion of interpersonal forgiveness - and with it a supporting web of ideas about morality, the emotions, and the self - is of quite recent vintage. Konstan also sheds light on crucial modern treatments of the idea such as those found in Shakespeare, Moli殧; "David Konstan's superb book is the first comprehensive and critical examination of the early history of Western ideas of forgiveness. Konstan's magisterial grasp of the relevant texts and thinkers from the ancient Greek and Roman periods through early Christian and Judaic sources to the Church Fathers is extraordinary. Contemporary discussions of forgiveness often make a number of unexamined assumptions about the historical sources of this crucial moral idea, and these influence how it is understood. It turns out, in Konstan's view, that the modern notion of interpersonal forgiveness - and with it a supporting web of ideas about morality, the emotions, and the self - is of quite recent vintage.

Konstan also sheds light on crucial modern treatments of the idea such as those found in Shakespeare, Molière, Butler, Kant, and Derrida, among others. His remarkable book will challenge readers to rethink their assumptions, and therefore to sharpen their answer to the much-debated question - what is forgiveness? - that lies at the heart of his inquiry." - Charles L. Griswold, Boston University =~ sre, Butler, Kant, and Derrida, among others. His remarkable book will challenge readers to rethink their assumptions, and therefore to sharpen their answer to the much-debated question - what is forgiveness? - that lies at the heart of his inquiry." - Charles L. Griswold, Boston University.