The Imitation of Christ

Composed by a German-Dutch monk in the early fifteenth century, this is one of the most widely read Christian devotional works ever written, second only to the Bible in its circulation for centuries. Arranged in four books of short counsels, it turns the reader away from worldly ambition toward the interior life, humility, and quiet self-examination, with its final book dwelling on devotion to the Eucharist. Rooted in the Devotio Moderna movement, the text speaks plainly and personally, less a theological argument than a series of intimate reminders about how to live and pray. It has guided readers from Thomas More to Therese of Lisieux. Free PDF and EPUB editions are available here.