Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380 – 25 July 1471) was born at the Lower Rhine region in Kempen, Germany, County of Cleves ca.1380 . His name means, "Thomas of Kempen", his home town and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen. He also is known by various spellings of his family name: Thomas Haemerkken; Thomas Hammerlein; Thomas Hemerken, and Thomas Hämerken. He was a Medieval Catholic monk and the probable author of The Imitation of Christ, which is one of the best known Christian books on devotion.
The Imitation of Christ is a Christian devotional book. It was first composed in Latin ca.1418-1427. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, where Kempis was a member. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.
The text is divided into four books which provide detailed spiritual instructions. The four books are, "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life", "Directives for the Interior Life", "On Interior Consolation", "On the Blessed Sacrament".
This edition is specially formatted and includes a Table of Contents.
