Editor and feature writer Medwick reconsiders one of the greatest mystics and reformers to emerge within the 16th century Catholic Church. She portrays Saint Teresa as a no-nonsense manager who bent the rules of monastic life to accomplish her work while managing to stay one step ahead of the Inquisition. She makes it clear that Teresa considered her major work the reform of the Carmelites, and shows Teresa moving about Spain in spite of debilitating illness to establish communities of nuns and two religious houses for men. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)