The 17th-century French mystic known as Madame Guyon presented theology and spiritual writing that opened new doors to anyone who yearned for spiritual joy and wisdom. These new translations include her popular manual "A Short and Easy Method of Prayer," as well as her biblical commentary on the Song of Songs, where poetic imagery comes to life with its refreshing sense of God's desire to join with all humanity. Here too are examples of her passionate poetry, some of which has never before been translated into English.

"Thanks to Nancy James' scholarly labors, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Mothe, more widely known as Madame Guyon (1648–1717) will hopefully become a household word, at least among students of mysticism. By no means an uncontroversial thinker, twice imprisoned for her allegedly heretical ideas, and defended by one bishop (Fénelon) and attacked by another (Bossuet), Madame Guyon's ideas, especially her concept of self-annihilation in the soul's union with God, will likely arouse challenge, even today.... Through Dr. James's work we can gain insights into not only mystical theology but also 17th-century French secular and ecclesiastical politics."—Peter C. Phan