Commentaries can be broken into three primary groups; devotional, line by line (exegesis), and a combination of the two. This is of the last segment, fine blend of the two. More importantly, it provides to the American student another perspective from a European monk. This particular effort has both the novice/ oblate and academic student in mind. Here, in this expository Doyle addresses the essentials without overwhelming the mind with extraneous academic actors. To date, this is one the most balanced approach for those who either have a desire to come to explore the richness provided in this monumental document. The Rule as in the mind and intent of St. Benedict was to draw up a code of moral, liturgical, and disciplinary laws, by which to guide the daily actions of all who should seek to serve God in his Institute, he very wisely prefaced the various enactments, which he deemed necessary for this purpose with a few words of exhortation and of encouragement. Today it remain the most prolific monastic rule in the Western Hemisphere.