.jpeg){kind=small}
This work contains a partial biography of St Ignatius along with a copy of his famous spiritual exercises. The biography sporadically covers the period from leaving his life as a soldier to the founding of the Society of Jesus. It certainly gives the reader a taste of Ignatius' scruples and desire to mortify himself after a colorful life before discovering Christ (and for details on that colorful stage of his life, you will have to look elsewhere, such details not being included in the present biography). Over time, Ignatius became less severe with himself. It also paints an unflattering picture of life with Inquisition in Europe and the degree to which even practicing Christians were suspected, the unwillingness of many authorities to resolve any cases with any finality, either perhaps due to a lack of confidence, or perhaps to keep leverage for later blackmail...?
The exercises contain much that is useful. If you wish to use them as intended, then you really must set aside a fair amount of time for them, they will consume a good part of your day for a number of weeks. Unlike more modern "self-help" books, this one is not arranged in a terribly user-friendly manner, so unless you are far more adroit with bookmarks and flipping pages in your Kindle than I, you will likely wish to make a number of notes as to what you ought to be doing when. No doubt, for most people engaging in these exercises with a level of serious commitment, they should walk away changed.
In terms of the content per se, I personally found Thomas à Kempis Imitation of Christ far more moving and meaningful. Although both the exercises and the imitation were written by people committed to a life of contemplation, both have at least something to offer even to those in a secular state. However, I found Francis de Sales Introduction to the Devout Life to be more easily and directly applicable to those in a secular state, which is not surprising, given that is for whom it was written.
Perhaps the most valuable content I found in Ignatius' exercises was his discussion of discerning spirits and learning to separate temptation from inspiration, a task that he had to contend with more than once.
Ignatius himself and his book are a seminal part of Christianity and worth reading even for those with only an academic interest, but this would of course be far more meaningful to someone looking to enrich his or her Christian practice. Definitely a valuable resource, though for those in the secular state, I would suggest Introduction to a Devout Life and Imitation of Christ first.