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

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.

Necessary reading for every Christian

Any additional comments?

Sadly, I had never heard of this book which I have come to discover as the second most translated book in history (Bible being the first). I selected this as it was translated by Dr Creasey who I have learned a lot from through his Bible studies.

This is quite a book. It is book of prayers and proverbs. It is convicting and encouraging. I plan to reread this as a daily devotional. If I counted right, it's broken up into 118 chapters that are a page or two long that make it perfect for a daily devotional, If you struggle on how to pray, this book will show you how our prayers can be a sweet incense to the Lord.

I believe the book is something that most Catholics have. I'm not Catholic but I am a follower of Jesus. There are a few things in it that pertain to Catholic doctrine, but the vast majority centers on imitating Christ and as such I highly recommend it to any Christian seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

The narrator is very good too.

There is great wisdom here, in clear language.

There is great wisdom in this book, more than enough to justify its perpetual best seller status. The reason to buy this edition over others is its use of clear English over all the "thee and thou" that cloud the original author's intent.

The first three books are amazing. The fourth is more dogma than divinely inspired. It is all worth an honest listen.

Divine teaching

Greatest book after the bible. Full of blessing for the faithful listener. Deep teaching for growth.

Uplifting

Aside from the Bible, it is probably the best book to bring you closer to God.

Life transforming

Beware! Reading this book can be a life transforming event. The reader’s resonant voice sounds like God Himself talking to you.

Excellent book, excellent narrator

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

By far one of the best audiobooks ever!!!

Very deep and spiritual. This book should be required reading for any Christian. Highly recommended!!!

simply a very good guide for my soul. very good

will listen to this again definitely. great teachings, simple wisdom and well narrated.. highly recommend

So Inspiring and Meditative

I love this book, The Imitation of Christ. Every short chapter is so profound and inspiring. The book is a natural companion to prayer as a lot of the text is in response to Jesus Himself. I found myself pondering deep subjects of life and Christianity. I highly recommend this for those interested in spiritual reading.