The Complete Imitation of Christ, Paperback

Published in over 6,000 editions before the year 1900, ``The Imitation of Christ`` has been more widely read than any other book in human history except the Bible itself. It has been called ``the most influential work in Christian literature,`` ``a landmark in the history of the human mind,`` and ``the fifth gospel.``Now, and for the first time, comes an exhaustive edition of this classic work, a work that is bound to become a classic in its own right. Fr. John-Julian introduces Kempis and his ``Imitation`` in ways that will shock many who have read the book before. For example, Protestant devotees to the book may be astounded to discover that Thomas was not only a Roman Catholic but an ardent traditionalist contemplative monk as well. And devoted Catholic readers may be amazed to discover that he was a radical moral reformer and part of a group twice formally charged with heresy. Notes and introductions to every aspect of ``The Imitation`` open the meaning of this classic to the next generation of readers.