The Great Cistercian Mystics is an in-depth analysis of the mystical theology of the major Cistercian mystics of the 12th century, Bernard of Clairvaux, William of Saint-Thierry, Guerric of Igny, Isaac of Stella, and Aelred of Rievaulx, as well as the continuators of Bernard's sermons on the Song of Songs. It also contains a survey of the Cistercian women mystics of the 13th century.

Bernard McGinn is the Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor emeritus at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, where he taught for thirty-four years. A former President of the Medieval Academy of America, Professor McGinn has written extensively on patristic and medieval theology, especially the history of spirituality and mysticism.