St. Teresa's autobiography, written in 1565 at the request of her confessor, is both an astonishing account of a life guided by a desire to get closer to God and a literary masterpiece that brings to life a lady of honesty, wit, and immense spiritual strength. Teresa recounts her early years, the struggles and crises she endured, and her determination to devote her life to prayer. This edition brings the classic 1870 translation of David Lewis.