In her book on the mystic Elisabeth of Schönau (c. 1128–64) Anne L. Clark reflected on the nature of the Rhenish mystic's relationship with her brother, the eminent scholar, Eckbert, who acted as her secretary (Elisabeth of Schönau: a twelfth-century visionary, Philadelphia 1992). By doing so she marked an important stage in the study of medieval religious women: the willingness to engage not only with their ‘voice’ and assert their autonomy and agency, but also to explore the influence of men in their lives. This trend has now led to the production of several interesting works on the nature of spiritual mentoring, and has expanded understanding of the possibilities of friendship between men and women dedicated to the religious life. In Women, men and spiritual power John Coakley adopts an historical approach to that phenomenon, by addressing it historically. He examines with elegance and erudition nine cases, Elisabeth of Schönau's being the earliest and Dorothy of Montau (1347–94) and John Marienweder being the last. Each chapter examines the unique relationship and pays careful attention to texts that bear witness to it, usually an hagiographical account of the woman's life. Coakley notes the difference between the friendships – like that of Guibert of Gembloux and Hildegard of Bingen – forged within monastic communities, and those conducted within bustling cities, like that of Dorothy and John. The men in question – confessors, protectors or relatives – are shown to have found the women puzzling, and often a challenge to their own conception of religious authority and devotional style. This is as true in the case of the men who observed the intricate visions of Hildegard and Elisabeth, as it is of the Franciscan – his name unknown – who wrote an account of the life of the penitent Angela of Foligno. To trace these possibilities of mutual respect and inspiration is not to forget, of course, that other ecclesiastical figures were intent on guarding the boundaries around female religiosity, through canon law, visitation and reform. Yet here is also a lesson in human sympathy and imagination. Women, men, and spiritual power will be of great interest and give great pleasure to the many interested in medieval religious culture and in the history of gender.