The Imitation of Christ is a devotional book for Christians.  Thomas Kempis was born at kempen, Germany in 1380.  He attended Deventer in the Netherlands wehre he eventually joined the Canons and was later ordained as a priest.  His most well-known work is the Imitation of Christ.  It has been acclaimed as one of the greatest spiritual writings of all time. 
 
It serves as a guide for spiritual growth, stemming from the Devotio Moderna movement, which sought religious reform and aimed for apostolic renewal through the rediscovery of true pious practices.
 
Except for the Bible, no Christian text has enjoyed such widespread popularity or sustained appeal as this. Its organization is largely influenced by the works of medieval mystics, and its concepts and expressions draw from the Bible and the early Church Fathers.
 
However, these components are skillfully combined with a deep religious passion and a soundness that ensures its enduring relevance as the ultimate guide and inspiration for spiritual growth.