This authoritative translation of Christianity's foremost Renaissance era text brings the wisdom and spiritualism of Thomas à Kempis to the 21st century reader.
Written with the conviction of true faith achieved after great effort, The Imitation of Christ comprises of vivid, moving guidance for Christians eager to understanding and attain true devotion to the faith and its tenets at a depth rarely attained by adherents. Advocating a retreat to contemplation away from the ordinary bustles and events of life, it was through this self-isolation that Thomas à Kempis brought the concept of imitating Christ to its fullest attainment.
Immediately popular after its initial publication in the 15th century, this book would become one of the earliest mass produced texts from the printing press. Almost 750 printings in a wide variety of languages saw this manual for faith reach the farthest reaches of the known world, gaining regard as a Christian book so important that only the Holy Bible exceeded it in religious significance.
Today, more than 2000 separate editions of The Imitation of Christ have been counted. Its instructions, emphasizing the importance of devotion, solitude and attainment of inner peace would revolutionize Christian belief for centuries. The text has lost none of its poignancy: this authoritative, much-respected English translation by Reverand William Benham renders the original Latin accurately.
