Everyday Life at La Trappe under Armand-Jean de Rance

"Why would an account of the daily life of monks and their dynamic, inspiring, also, controversial Abbot capture the religious imagination and become one of the most popular books of seventeenth century France? Thanks to David Bell's excellent translation and notes we are now able to find out for ourselves. This riveting account of a fascinating world unknown to most of us will delight monastic scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the origins of Trappist life and thought. It is an engaging piece of work, which reads like a historical novel. Indeed, Bell has given us a treasure in bringing this work into English."Abbess Kathy DeVico, Our Lady of the Redwoods Abbey, Whitethorn, California