First Glance at Adrienne Von Speyr

A personal introduction to the life, work, and thought of the mystic Adrienne von Speyr, written by her close friend and spiritual director, the Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. In Part I, "Life, Mission and Work," Balthasar provides important biographical information, outlines von Speyr's theological focus and her view of mysticism, and introduces her formidable body of work (consisting of nearly seventy books). Part II consists of statements by von Speyr about herself, including remarks about her mystical experiences, her approach to reading Scripture, and her thoughts on prayer and the interior life. Part III is a series of prayers by von Speyr. The book concludes with Balthasar's assessment of von Speyr's place in the Church and a short guide to reading her works.