A simple strand of beads and a crucifix, the rosary has been an aid to prayer, contemplation, and religious worship for centuries. In this superb book, Garry Wills looks at the meaning of the beads and at the mysteries, or events, in the lives of Jesus and Mary that the beads are meant to signify. In an age when self-help methods abound and meditation is increasingly popular, Wills reminds us that the rosary is a "timely and timeless" method for reconnecting with ourselves and with our faith. As he discusses each mystery, Wills guides us through the lives of Jesus and Mary, reflecting on Scripture passages and their teachings with his signature elegant, lucid prose. With gorgeous full-color reproductions of paintings by Renaissance master Tintoretto illustrating the mysteries, The Rosary will be the perfect book for those who practice the rosary themselves or for those who are seeking a new and timeless form of contemplation.