About this item
A marvellously readable translation of the great Middle English classic of Christian mysticism. Now part of the beautifully designed Shambhala Pocket Library collection.This anonymous fourteenth-century text is the glory of English mysticism and one of the most practical and useful guides to finding union with God ever written. The Cloud of Unknowing consists of a series of letters written by a monk to his student or disciple, instructing him (or her) in the way of Divine union. Its theology is presented in a way that is remarkably easy to understand as well as practical, providing advice on prayer and contemplation that anyone can use. Carmen Butcher's translation boldly brings the text into language as appealing to modern ears as it was to its original readers more than five hundred years ago.
About the Author
Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher received the 46th Georgia Author of the Year award for The Cloud of Unknowing with the Book of Privy Counsel. She was Carnegie Professor of the Year for Georgia and recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. As a Fulbright Senior Lecturer, she taught graduate and undergraduate students for a year at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea. She studied medieval literature at The University of Georgia with Dr. John Algeo. Dr. Butcher also studied at The University of London on a Fulbright grant and at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg on a Rotary International Graduate Scholarship. She has published numerous books and articles in medieval studies and linguistics with Cambridge University Press, Mercer University Press, Cengage Learning / Wadsworth, Paraclete Press, Shambala Publications, and others. She is a professor of English and Scholar-in-Residence at Shorter University and is frequently asked to speak at universities, colleges, and community venues and leads retreats on Bible study and prayer. She writes regularly for Christianity Today and has served as a commentator for Georgia Public Broadcasting (97.7 FM) . She is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her husband, Sean, and she met in London during the first Fulbright grant. Her website is www.carmenbutcher.com.
