The Imitation of Christ (Vintage Spiritual Classics) [Paperback]

Thomas a Kempis (Author), Joseph N. Tylenda (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 24, 1998

Only the Bible has been more influential as a source of Christian devotional reading than The Imitation of Christ. This meditation 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 à Kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear instructions for renouncing wordly 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." With a new Preface by Sally Cunneen, author of In Search of Mary: The Woman and the Symbol.

"God is our home but many of us have strayed from our native land.  The venerable authors of these Spiritual Classics are expert guides--may we follow their directions home."
--Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Thomas à Kempis fan club includes St. Ignatius, Thomas Merton, Thomas More, and even Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. (She reads a chapter of The Imitation of Christ every night before sleep.) Imitation has exerted immense influence on Christian worship, ethics, and church structure, because it gives specific yet broad-minded guidance about the central task of Christian life--learning to live like Jesus. Better to read this book a little here and there, now and then, than to try gobbling it cover to cover. Imitation is no triumph of orderly thinking, but it's a great monument and incentive to deep living. --Michael Joseph Gross

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Rev Sub edition (March 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375700188
• ISBN-13: 978-0375700187
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.6 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,785 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 76 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 (Wishek, ND) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Imitation of Christ (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

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.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Spiritual Classic of the West, May 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Imitation of Christ (Vintage Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

Imitation of Christ is said to be the most influential spiritual work in Western Christendom other than the Bible itself. This fresh contemporary translation from the 15th Century Latin edition makes the timeless wisdom of this classic available to modern readers in easily understandable language, while retaining the austerity, simplicity and beauty of the original. Meant to be read in small portions, the Imitation is truly a guide for discovering personal holiness. The Imitation speaks to one's heart, rather than one's mind, and provides one with strength, inspiration and fortitude to grow in one's interior spiritual life. Although written from the presepctive of a mideval monastic, The Imitation contains classic advice for every individual who wishes to develop and grow in faith and personal spirituality.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly the Best Translation, December 28, 1999

By 

Edwin Matthew Cash (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Imitation of Christ (Vintage Spiritual Classics) (Paperback)

This translation, by Dr. Joseph Tylenda, S.J.,Director of the Theology Center At Georgetown University, is truly the finest I've seen. If you are a reader of Classic Works this translation is a must. If you are not, it will truly inspire you. The scriptures are cleverly placed in italics with complete Bible references. A very well written history is also provided. The beautiful cover makes this an ideal gift at holidays and special occasions. This is one of the world's most famous devotionals, truly a great Christian work. When you have the time take a look for yourself.