The Big Book of Christian Mysticism — available for pre-order!
I’m thrilled to announce that my forthcoming book, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality, is now available for pre-order from Amazon.com.
The book won’t be published until August 2010 — but why wait? Place your pre-order now by clicking here.
The Big Book of Christian Mysticism
And while I cannot say for sure that this is the final cover design — publishers will often change a book’s cover, sometimes at the last minute — I can say that I hope this is what the cover will look like, for I sure do like it. In fact, let me use stronger language than that: I love it. It anchors mysticism in the monastic tradition; it is clearly Christian without being in-your-face religious, and it has just the right touch of both beauty and mystery.
What do you think about the cover design? Please let me know, either by email or by leaving a comment here.
Carl, the cover is magnificent! I want to stroll down that walkway and under those arches into that compelling beam of light/grace, beauty and stillness for “Time Out” and refreshment. It’s a beautiful cover!..I have photographed such places myself, both in chhurch and nature. If I were in a bookstore, I would buy that immediately on sight just because of the cover, and read what the book was about on the way to the cashier! (The cover’s metaphor actually told me the essence of the book….)
Veriditas!
Christine Phoenix-Green
http://thegreeningspirit.wordpress.com
October 13, 2009 at 6:42 am
Dear Carl,
I agree with Christine P-G. Me too I have some photo’s of similar places. I am a painter too and I have (I don’t know why) associations when seeing the cover with the great artists http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/piero_della_francesca.html and http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/zurbaran_francisco_de.html
Please let it be that way…
PAX,
Fred
October 13, 2009 at 8:01 am
Neat imagery. Stones, carved by the hands of man, illuminated by the light from the heavens.
Do you know where the picture was taken?
Greg
October 13, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Looks like Iona but, regardless, it’s a fabulous cover.
October 13, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I think the cover looks great and I look forward to reading the actual book.
October 13, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Great cover! Looking forward to reading it!
October 13, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Congratulations! This book looks great. Will put it on my wish list right now!
October 15, 2009 at 10:02 am
Mr. McCOlman,
I am a blind student of mysticism and enjoy reading your blog very much. i am wondering if, when your book is published, it would be possible for me to acquire an electronic version (as print, well, obviously doesn’t work for me.) My email address is
kelbycarlson@usfamily.net
and I would very much appreciate it if you contacted me.
October 18, 2009 at 2:24 pm
It’s a great cover! Hope you don’t change it.
October 19, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Carl, the cover is stunningly beautiful. And your book looks great. I’ll be buying a copy for my girlfriend (who is a Christian mystic) for sure.
October 20, 2009 at 3:06 am
The cover is fantastic. I really hope this is how it will look.
October 26, 2009 at 6:32 am
This is a wonderful depiction of what I hope the book content portrays. Please tell me more about the book.
May 19, 2010 at 2:38 pm
In essence, Dawn, the book is a meditation on Karl Rahner’s famous statement that “the Christian of the future will be a mystic or will not exist at all.” To that end, the first part of the book explores just exactly what mysticism is, and what makes Christian mysticism unique, and why it matters. The second half of the book explores the practice of contemplative spirituality for our time, using Guigo the Carthusian’s method for practicing lectio divina as its structure.
Please visit http://www.christianmysticism.com to learn a bit more about the book — be sure especially to check out the endorsements page: What Others Say.
May 19, 2010 at 3:18 pm