It would be difficult to overstate the impact this book has had on me. Yes, it's really, really Catholic. Yes, it's ascetic. No, it's most definitely not pro-woman. Even so, I think Jesus meant it when he said to deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily but mention that to a modern evangelical and watch them recoil in horror. This little book calls the reader to a life of intensity and discipline in following Christ. It's not comforting or particularly warm and it makes no accommodations. You need to do that yourself. it took me 4 years to finish this book because every passage is so incredibly rich that I couldn't take in too much at any one time. Honestly I can't even recommend it to very many people because it's so hard core. If you're a nominal Christian who likes feel-good sermons and that book about the little boy who goes to Heaven, bless you but skip this one. Try Dennis Okholm's "Monk Habits for Everyday People" if you want to get all monastic but think denying yourself means not sleeping in on Sunday. I'm serious, it's a good book. I think I gave it 4 stars. But if you're 100% serious about following Jesus, if knowing God is the highest priority in your life, if you get the concept of willingly plucking out your eye to keep yourself out of Hell, then get this book and read it slowly and carefully. There's a lot of chaff, let that go but hold on tightly to the wheat. It will nourish you.