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Jose de Acosta, S.J. (1540-1600): His Life and Thought. By Claudio M. Burgaleta, SJ. (Chicago: Loyola Press. 1999. Pp. viii, 200.$16.95 paperback.)
As John O'Malley notes in his introduction,Jose de Acosta is one of the bestknown figures in the Spanish-speaking world, and one of the least-known in the English-speaking world. But Claudio Burgaleta's study is not a mere introduction to Acosta for English speakers. It is without doubt the best synthesis to date in any language of Acosta's life and thought. The leading Acosta specialist, Leon Lopetegui, S.J., wrote from a pre-Vatican Council II perspective, thus missing many of the links between inculturation and Ignatian spirituality that came to light especially during the generalate of Pedro Arrupe. In a very convincing way Burgaleta re-establishes Acosta as one of the great forerunners of...