The Imitation of Christ (Logos Educational Edition)

By: Dr. Bill Creasy - translator, Thomas à Kempis

Narrated by: Don Ranson

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The Imitation of Christ is one of the great spiritual classics of Christianity. Dr. Creasy's new reading of Thomas A Kempis' 1441 Latin Autograph Manuscript has become "the standard translation of this spiritual classic." The printed trade edition has been a best seller and was chosen as a Book of the Month Club selection. It remains an essential spiritual work for contemporary readers. This audio version read by Don Ranson captures the intimacy and depth of this superb translation.

©2010 Logos Educational Corporation (P)2010 Logos Educational Corporation

Deep and Profound (with modern language)

The book is very deep and profound. Though is was written hundreds of years ago, it is still very relevant today. This translation uses modern language so it is easy to listen to. This book helped me see how imperfect we really are and then reveals God's grace, love, & mercy for us through Jesus Christ lifting us up from despair and into his loving arms.

I love this book

A way to live a simple life that is full of mystery and love. In my top three favorites of spiritual reading.

Changed my life!

This is inspired!!! I always feel that I fall short when I pray, that my message of love and gratitude doesn't come through as fervently as I mean it. Well this set it all to rights for me. I will listen to this all the time, knowing that it was written in the 1400's makes it even more special, we as Christians are striving for the same thing!!! Thank you God for this inspired book of love for our Lord and savior Jesus Christ!!!!!

very profound

excellent devotional. if you are looking to strengthen your faith then you'll want to listen to this one.

Absolutely Enjoyed

This audiobook is a MUST in your library of spiritual books! I enjoyed this book so much that I bought the hard copy!

Excellent book, excellent narrator

I will be listening to this audiobook again, probably multiple times. It made for a wonderful Lent.

Imitation is just what it means

This book should be read by EVERYONE! If you're serious about getting through this life and into the Wondrous Everlasting, this is your instruction manual and indispensable.

Second only to the Holy scriptures themselves.

Highly recommend for any CHRISTIAN, not only Catholics. Inspired teachings and reflection that can truly stir the soul.

My favorite of the 5 versions I've tried

Any additional comments?

I have purchased five different versions of this classic masterpiece, in audio or Audible formats, trying to find a version I really like.

My favorite version (Logos Educational Edition, Bill Creasy) is narrated by Don Ranson, who sounds like an old gentleman with wisdom and maturity, with a deeper voice, and no distracting accent. It also feels like he is personally familiar with the text and is probably himself a strong believer in God and Christ. (I did not get that feeling with all narrators.)
The Don Ranson version also contains fewer archaic English words & phrases (For example something like, 'Whatever thou willest, giveth that thy will be mine and will mine will to will for thine, for thou art....' I mean that type of KJV Shakesperian language, which is in the David Cochran Heath version. I couldn't listen to the Joe McClane version long enough to know.)

My second-favorite version is with narrator Bob Souer, who also sounds older than the other three, and has a deeper, more impactful voice.

The version narrated by Joe McClane is my least favorite of the five, because of the speaker's distracting accent. But maybe another listener who loves thick Irish accents will enjoy it.

The other version I don't like is narrated by David Cochran Heath, with a U.S. Southern accent, and a very light-hearted & cheerful tone like "everything's fine and I'm super-positive, outgoing, & cheerful." To me, this tone does not match the deep, introspective subject matter (and probably not the mindset of the 13th century monks who were the source of these meditations & prayers.)

The version narrated by Sean Runnette (translated by William Benham) seems average to me, neither great nor irritating.

I am still keeping an eye out for a completely modern translations with zero archaic language that retains a careful, reverent, serious, calm reading of this weighty material, as if it were a monk who had sacrificed decades of his life to commit to finding the wisdom which he is now sharing with the listener.

Will certainly have to listen more than once

Excellent insight in how to live a Christian life in a world where the Way has been watered down.

Narrator's voice is a bit monotonous, but the subject matter held my interest. This goes on my list of books I listen to annually (along with the Bible, Quran, and Catechism)