"Cain has written a study of this which will prove invaluable to all those interested in late antique monasticism, Egypt and hagiography, with chapters on the text, the authorship, the genre, the literary influences and the style before moving on to look more directly at what the work describes. Cain's book though is a wonderfully learned and informative study of this most engaging of ancient texts." -- Theresa Urbainczyk, Gnomon Vol.90 "Now that the study of hagiography boasts several sound critical editions and translations into modern languages, it is crucial to proceed with monographs devoted to works that shaped the development of this particular branch of literature and, beyond that, the thought-world of late antique and medieval society. Should this be undertaken by such well-read and thoughtful commentators as the present author, we have good reason tobe optimistic."--The Catholic Historical Review "Cain's book will likely become the definitive text on the [Historia monachorum in Aegypto]. His research is excellent, his arguments well documented, and the theses of the eleven chapters will provide ample foundation for years of further scholarship In short, Cain has ensured that any subsequent books or articles on the HMA must engage with this monograph. That alone places him, and this book, in rare company.

" -- Reading Religion.