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Rating: 
Summary: A Catholic Classic of Spirituality
Review: Along with The Inmitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, and Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis De Sales, this book ranks as one of the all time classics of Catholic spirituality (and De Sales preferred this book to the Imitation of Christ because of the practical detail to be found in the Spiritual Combat).
I first read this book when I was starting seminary and found it instantly readable and inspiring. Like the Imitation of Christ it consists of many short concise chapters that merit being read and pondered. I would particularly recommend the book to anyone struggling for perfection, and with scrupulosity. The opening 6 chapters give great insights into the whole nature of what Christian perfection means, and how our frequent lapses into sin should not discourage us, but should rather be taken as opportunities for us to grow in our confidence in God and our distrust of ourselves. This is a book to be re-read often through life.
Rating: 
Summary: Do you want to know your enemy?
Review: If you want to know your enemy...and don't mind realizing some of your greatest battles are coming from within...then read on.The Spiritual Combat has been changing lives for so many years..and still is today. Before reading this I had heard so much about it. Although I am not Catholic...I am a Christian, and looked very forward to benefiting spiritually from it's contents. This book has so greatly EXCEEDED my expectations...it is a book I will likely read many times over in my life time. Christ has granted brother Scupoli such divine wisdom and insight into the struggles each follower of Christ faces living in this world. I would have certainly given the book 5 instead of 4 stars, however I deducted one star only to point out that it can be a difficult read for the modern reader. I am not used to hearing Mary being addressed as the "Queen of Heaven" etc but these things can simply be overlooked. The book is also difficult to fully grasp at times because it has so much depth to it and the language used is very poetic and in some cases words are used that are not even familiar or used today.
It is a beautiful piece of work and should be in every follower of Christ's library who is serious about weeding out sin...and all the hidden vices of man's own heart. With all it's spiritual insight...can become a useful tool in the believers life... and an inspiration to press on to greater purity & holiness!
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Summary: Review from the Publisher
Review: One of the all-time greatest and best-known classics on the strategy for achieving spiritual perfection and salvation. First published in 1589, it was the favorite book of St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Doctor of the Church and master of the spiritual life. He carried a copy in his pocket for 18 years, read from it every day and recommended it to everyone under his direction. Based on the maxim that in the spiritual life one must either "fight or die," it shows how to combat one's passions and vices in order to arrive at victory. Explains how to acquire virtue and how to overcome impurity and sloth. Inspires and instructs today just as it has for 400 years. 240pp. PB. Imprimatur.
Rating:
Summary: Review from the Publisher
Review: Very readible with many insights and practical "how to's" for a Christian's pursuit of spiritual growth. Being 500 years old, it also provides an historical background for more contemporary works, the absence of modern psychological jargon is refreshing. This version is theologically grounded in the Latin church and is the most literal translation. The Orthodox version from St. Vladimir's Press probably more suited to Protestant tastes, is loosly translated for content and embellished for a different school of thought, but tends to lose clarity in comparison. I suggest reading both versions concurrently. For Evangelicals, there are points for contention regardless, though neither invalidate the work's relavance for all Christians who strive after moral purity and virtue.
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