A reference work, it features a number of writers who provides scholarly essays on the life and views of the Italian Catholic philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas.

A reference work on the views of the Italian Catholic philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas,[1] the book is divided into eight thematic areas,[2] and starts with an editorial introduction by Brian Davies and Eleonore Stump.

"[12] Fergus Kerr of the New Blackfriars began his review by writing, "Beautiful books physically, the Oxford Handbook series offers state-of-the-art surveys of thinking and research in the chosen field.

[15] While praising the whole work as being significant to the Thomistic school of thought, de Azevedo Ramos wrote that it would have been more comprehensive if it has a chapter on aesthetics and more use of Latin terminology in order to avoid ambiguities and unclarities.

[15] In a review to The Heythrop Journal, Mark K. Spencer of the University of St. Thomas took note of the range of topics examined in the book, complimenting its attention to the historical details of Aquinas' times and interpretations of his thoughts "that are somewhat at odds with a straight-forward analytic or purely Aristotelian reading".