Jesus felt the need to withdraw to a quiet place and renew his spirit. We all have the desire to find some sort of oasis in time and space that can refresh our souls. Margaret Silf, an English writer and spiritual leader, presents this beginner's guide to the Christian retreat experience. She explains the difference between residential retreats and daily-life retreats. Silf discusses retreat companions, prayer guides and soul friends. People are usually confused about how to prepare for this excursion into solitude or silence, so there is a chapter on getting ready for this encounter with God. She talks at length about the connection between some retreats and the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. There is also some suggested readings and information on loosely structured information networks that connect like-minded individuals on a spiritual journey.