The Imitation of Christ (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Thomas ŕ Kempis (Author), Aloysius Croft (Translator), Harold Bolton (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 2003 | Series: Dover Thrift Editions

This classic, second only to the Bible for religious instruction and inspiration, has brought understanding and comfort to millions for centuries. Written in a candid and conversational style, the topics include liberation from worldly inclinations, preparation and consolations of prayer, and the place of eucharistic communion in a devout life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Jesus.

The Imitation of Christ has enjoyed an unparalleled place in the world of books for more than five hundred years. 5000 different editions have been published over the centuries, and it has been translated into almost every language in the world. Thomas a Kempis was a late medieval Catholic monk, a simple man, who looked deeply into what it means to know God and have a relationship with Jesus. He wrote about humility, patience, simplicity, and persistence--virtues that are for every age.

" When I graduated from high school, my pastor gave me a book. The book I received as a gift was The Imitation of Christ. On the title page, he wrote: ' You will have a happy life by adhering to the wisdom in this book.' "

--Br. Benet Tvedten, from the Introduction

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

For those of the Catholic faith who enjoy reading the Catholic classics and wonderful Catholic books that are hard to find in other places, you'll find yourself enthusiastic with Catholic Way Publishing, who exist to supply you with these glorious works. For those who have found the world of electronic book reading, you'll be pleased to see these same works available as Catholic e-books. Catholic Way Publishing offer reading for the most discriminating Catholic mind, young and old alike. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (September 18, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486431851
• ISBN-13: 978-0486431857
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,550 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 119 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The way to happiness and peace October 24, 2008

By Adam C. Roberts

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a pastor I see so many people who are miserable. They are depressed, filled with worry and have so little joy in their lives. This book speaks specifically to those problems.
In a nutshell this book says that we are miserable because we are trying to find joy in other people and in other things and everything out there will fail us and let us down. The only thing that provides true happiness, peace and contentment is God. The Imitation of Christ goes through exercises on how we can detach ourselves from worldly things to focus on God. Once we are focused solely on God and have the faith that God will provide everything we need, then we can really enjoy the world around us. Enjoy it because once we receive true happiness from God we can see how beautiful the world is and enjoy it as the gift God created it to be, instead of something that we grab onto in the hopes that it will provide us our happiness and security.

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars True Spiritual Classic April 28, 2011

By Dr. Bojan Tunguz HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

"Imitation of Christ" is one of the most widely read Christian spiritual works of all time. In the Middle Ages only the Bible had a wider readership. After you start reading it, it becomes immediately obvious why this would be the case: its approachable style and the perennial good advice that emanates from its every page make this an incredibly readable and inspiring book. The book is not strictly speaking an invitation for modeling one's life on particular historical events in the life of Jesus. This is no "What Would Jesus Do" manual. Rather, it's a distillation of the wisdom and teachings of Christianity as presented primarily in the Bible and the early Church Fathers. The result is a fascinating work of spiritual insight that has proven to have timeless practical relevance to the lives of Christians throughout the centuries.

The book also places a strong emphasis on growing one's faith within the Church. The last part of the book is almost entirely dedicated to the veneration and reflection on the Eucharist. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been a diminishing appreciation of Church's sacramental gifts, even within Christian communities that had traditionally placed a great emphasis on this particular way of getting closer to Christ. Hopefully reading this book may rekindle some of that appreciation in a reader who has not thought about it much lately.

This digital edition of the book brings it to the twenty-first century. I find it very convenient to have a spiritual book like this one accessible from the variety of electronic devices. That way I can turn to it whenever I have a need for some words of spiritual guidance and wisdom.

The only issue that I have with this edition of the book is its unnecessarily archaic translation. All the "thee"s and "thou"s may make one more cognizant of the venerable age of this work, but with modern readers this feature may prove too distracting. This book is written in an extremely straightforward style that should be made more accessible to the modern reader.

Whatever your Christian tradition may be, you will take a lot from this insightful and inspirational book. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in deepening their spiritual life.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Publisher & Editors October 2, 2005

By Earl R. Sutton

Format:Paperback

FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Only the Bible has been more influential as a source of Christian devotional reading than The Imitation of Christ. This medi[t]ation on the spiritual life has inspired readers from Thomas More and St. Ignatius Loyola to Thomas Merton and Pope John Paul I. Written by the Augustinian monk Thomas a Kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for renouncing worldly vanities and locating eternal truths. No book has more explicitly and movingly described the Christian ideal: 'My son, to the degree that you can leave yourself behind, to that degree will you be able to enter into Me.'"

FROM EDITORS
"An influence on Thomas More, Ignatius Loyola, John Wesley, and Dr. Johnson, the 15th-century priest & writer Thomas Kempis wrote many devotional works, culminating in this masterpiece celebrating man's dependence on God's boundless love."--Barnes & Noble