The Illustrated Book of Christian Literature

This is a nice, gift-type book of 175 pages that provides short, general introductions to prominent Christian authors from the last two thousand years. Each author is allotted two pages and excerpts from their writings are presented along with a relevant picture or two. The book covers 76 authors who are almost evenly divided into three general (and, in some cases, arbitrary) categories: spirituality, testimony, and philosophy. Part I, Spirituality, begins with the biblical writer John and ends with Friedrich von Hugel. In between are included such mystics as John Climacus, Johannes Tauler, John of the Cross, and Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Part II, Testimony, begins with the biblical writer Luke and ends with Terese of Lisieux. Other authors included are Augustine of Hippo, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, George Fox, and Jonathan Edwards. Part III, Philosophy, begins with the apostle Paul and ends with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In between are such authors as Origen, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, Eckhart, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jacobus Arminius, Blaise Pascal, and Soren Kierkegaard. This book would make a wonderful gift for a new Christian or someone who is unfamiliar with the classic authors of Christian literature, but keep in mind that only two one-sided pages are given to each author, so one can hardly get to know the authors introduced. A useful, companion volume to this book (also general in nature) is Terry Glaspey's "Great Books of the Christian Tradition" which introduces one to many of the classic books of Christianity. For nice summaries of the classics of Christian literature, I recommend books edited by Frank N. Magill and Ian P. McGreal such as "Masterpieces of Christian Literature" and "Christian Spirituality" or the one edited by Magill, "Masterpieces of Catholic Literature". Some of these latter books, unfortunately, are out of print but may be located in used book stores. After one has been introduced to some of the classics, one should immediately begin reading them. Many of the Christian classics of spirituality are included in the Paulist Press series called "The Classics of Western Spirituality". Also check out the Ancient Christian Writers series by Newman Press (an imprint of Paulist Press). For those interested in Christian mysticism, see the wonderful, pictorial gift-type book by Ursula King entitled "Christian Mystics". May God richly bless you in your reading endeavors!