The Imitation of Christ (Barnes & Noble Library of Essential Reading)

Wonderful book, but not this e-edition

This book has over a hundred chapters by topic but this particular edition doesn't include the table of contents! Your nook will only list the "go to" chapters by number and you'll have no idea what the topics are. I'm sharing this so that others don't waste their money. It's unfortunate this information isn't available until you purchase a non-refundable ebook.

15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

Thomas A Kempis has given us a gem for the ages. Do not be put off by the title. This book is not so much about being perfect as it is about experiencing intimacy with Christ and being a Christ follower.

All I can say is no matter what section of this book you decide to read (it is like reading a devotional), you will be impacted. The book is divided into four sections: (1) Thoughts helpful in the life of the soul (2) The interior life (3) Internal consolation (4) An invitation to holy communion. The cultivation of the interior life in the pursuit of Christ and his kingdom is what this book is all about. It is for those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness." If you are one of those people, chances are you will be so challenged and impacted on your first reading that you will not be able to put it down.

12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

' Incredible treatise of a Christians journey in faith.'

'This book is one of the great classics of Christian faith. Thomas A. Kempis is one of those philosphical greats who, like so many in his day believed that faith was best renedered through sacrifice. 'A monk who believed in solitude, solidarity, and that the inner life was what neccesitated a Christian's development to the full potential that Christ offered,' Thomas A. Kempis challenges the reader to get out of themselves by inner offerings of sacrifice to Christ by dying daily to themselves through fasting,prayer, and humility of oneslf....(through which we can experience an intimate relationship with Christ,) and thereby proffer from the richness of life that only He can offer. This book is a classic, to say the least!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Timeless Classic

This timeless classic is revelant today as it was when Thomas A' Kempis wrote.
I find that it is a great companion to the Liturgy of the Hours. I have included the reading of a chapter at the end of my day with evening prayers.
I highly recommend this as an essential book in your spiritual library.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

My favorite edition of this classic

As Msgr. Ronald Knox once said, if you find 'The Imitation' an 'easy read' then you're probably not getting much out of it. It's a tough book and it took me a long time to appreciate it. But at some point Thomas a Kempis' approach really hit home and became a source of joyful and profound meditation. I've sampled numerous versions of 'The Imitation,' but I prefer the Penguin edition for its readability and scholarliness.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Excellent!

A very readable translation of a book that is second only to the Bible. Highly recommended!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

"Come and Follow Me"

A beautiful and inspiring guide to living in the Image of Christ. This book is simply structured by specific topics, short entries and scriptural citations. A "must have read" for enriching your prayer life and deepening your relationship with God.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

The gift of the cross

This is the only book I can truly say changed my life. I have bought multiple copies and given this best of gifts--understanding of the sufferings of life, thereby eliminating not the actual suffering, but the RESENTMENT of the suffering. The trials and tribulations we all endure are the 'way of the cross'-the true imitation of Christ. Thomas-a-Kempis makes clear the distinction between Christianity that seeks only after the GLORY of Christ vs. the loving acceptance of the CROSS of Christ. He points out real circumstances of suffering that the true Christian is likely to experience as he/she follows the 'royal road'. What a wonderful comfort his words bring during tribulations--it makes all the difference in living through those hard times that may turn out to be the holiest of opportunities--the opportunity to imitate Christ.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Touches the Heart

Simply put, this book changed my life.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Life is a path !!

This book has helped me learn that no situation in life is permanent just like life itself so we can only be assured of eternal life if we do all things with Christ in mind, even scratching !!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Beware Penguin translation!

Comparing the Latin text to the Penguin and Vintage translations, one finds in the 'vanity' section of chapter 1 that the Penguin actually leaves out the first sentence! The Vintage renders it 'It is vanity to seek riches that are sure to perish and put your hope in them.' The Penguin goes straight to the vanity of soliciting/pursuing honors. If the Penguin omits an entire sentence from the 1st paragraph, what else is wrong with it? Yikes. Try the Vintage Spiritual Classics edition (tr. Tylenda).

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Translation Comparisons

I prefer this translation because it is the most penetrating, thought provoking, and most to the point. Comments on the book listed under various translations are not exaggerations. The book is applicable to all ages to all people, even non-Christians. The truths are basic, self-evident, and universal. You have already read or heard much content in other forms, but it is simply much better than anything you have ever read or heard on the myriad of ethical and moral issues. It is founded on basic Christian morality and theology, true, but non-Christians will appreciate and love the words as well. They may be surprised to find that they cherish every word as much (maybe in some cases more) than most Christians, regardless of some theology they do not agree with. I have also reviewed the other most recent translations. The one edited and translated by Joseph N. Tylenda is also well written, and I recommend you purchase both books and compare the two to one another. Keep the Tylenda book for its preface and introduction, and keep this one for the clearer, easier-to-understand content (a matter of taste, which is why you should buy both). This book is small, durable, compact in size and content, and has excellent quality paper. It is also among the least expensive, which has no relationship to its quality; paying more does not necessarily equate to being superior in quality. In my opinion, after comparing, you will buy multiple copies of this compact, maroon book for all your close friends as gifts.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I love this book!

This book is my favorite to use as a devotional.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Suprisingly Good

I didn't expect how much I'd enjoy a book written by a monk from the 1400s. There were a lot of themese I could relate to my life. Excellent book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

divinely intimate "Imitation"

I believe that anyone who attentively reads this book will learn of a better life,a fulfilling life that only the love of God can bring to you.
Conform your heart,mind and soul to live the life described in this book and the eternal blessedness of Heaven will await you!I have bought this book several times because I feel that someone else needs to read it also but I don't want to be without a copy.Oh how I wish I knew of this treasure before....well better late than never.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life transforming!!

This is a powerful book that will dramatically help bring the Bible to life for you and is the ideal companion to Scripture. If you are a Protestant and enjoy Chambers' Utmost for His Highest, you will really appreciate this devotional that is as timely today as it was in the Fifteenth Century. I just ordered a dozen copies to give to men in my Businessmen's Bible Study.

BN also has a leather bound bound Wellsprings of Faith that includes Imitation of Christ, The Dark Night of the Soul and The Interior Castle. It is a wonderful volume to own, but is a large (but beautiful) book. The Dover Thrift edition is good for tucking into your briefcase along with your Bible or keeping by the night stand.

If you are serious about doing God's will rather than your own or man's, then this is a book that will put you on the path to Heavan. If you are serious about your faith and have graduated from the feel-good, sugary, prosperity theology of the day that gives you a quick, brief high, but leaves your spirit weak and unfullfilled, then I highly recommend The Imitation of Christ.

"There is a great difference between the wisdom of an illuminated and devout man, and the knowledge of a learned and studious clerk. Far more noble is that learning which floweth from above, from the divine out-pouring, than that which is painfully acquired by the wit of man." (Book III, Chapter XXXI) This is a book for those who yearn for devotion and illumination . . . for closeness to their creator and Savior.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

This book, which inspired John Newton to write Amazing Grace along with the Bible, is the perfect companion to the Bible. God tells us what to do, Kempis helps us know HOW to do it. Though this is a Catholic title, it applies to every Christian in most ways, especially in how to escape the corruption in the world, caused by evil desires..I'm ordering more to give away.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow, what a great book!

What a great book for reading and studying. It is written for the heart and the mind. It's a true reflection of how to accept Christ personally.

Spiritual reading at its finest

The Imitation of Christ is a spiritual classic and is not meant to be read cover to cover. Even if you read just a paragraph at a time, and take the time to meditate upon what you've read, it will help to bring you closer to Christ in your daily life.

a MUST read for anyone living for CHrist

This book shows me how I truly must live to please my Lord. It is inspiring and made me love my Lord so much more than I ever did. He is all I need - He is my everything. Learn of His Ways and His Love.