Reviews (6)

Should your son be a priest?
As you might expect from such a great person, the Pope's book provides few insights into the Pope himself. He does show how our own lives can influence others, especially in a cumulative way, as the he tells of all of those who influenced his entering the priesthood. He cites the religiosity of his father; the holiness of Jan Tyranowski; the writings of St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Louis Marie de Montfort; the devotions in his parish, to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and of the brown scapular. The reader can't help but wonder if there is a link between the lack of devotions today and the lack of vocations today.

A priest's life is challenging. He must be attentive and sympathetic; critical and watchful with regard to historical developments; a giver of Christ; a spiritual father -- especially in the Confessional; holy; constantly training, studying and updating; promoting the family; defending mankind; in dialog with the youth; in dialog with the culture; intellectual and scholarly; and living the Gospel.

But a priest's life is most rewarding. The priest is "a steward of the mysteries of God." An essential part of his mission is fulfilled in the Confessional. The priest is an essential being in the only suitable offering that man can make to God, the offering of God-made-man, an offering made at every Mass. The priest is so united to Christ at Mass that he is "in the person of Christ." What a beautiful reflection on the Mass is offered by the Pope!

The challenge of the priesthood seems overwhelming. It would be without God. It is "a mystery of divine election."

Every parent of a potential priest should read this book.

A Loving Gift to Priests and Seminarians
'Gift and Mystery' is indeed an affectionate gift from Pope John Paul II to all those who pursue a priestly vocation. It is the story of his own priestly call which is a Divine gift as well as a great mystery. On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination, the Pope reflects on his own growth in his vocation to priesthood and his ministry as 'a shepherd of God's mysteries'. We follow him through his college studies, his job in the stone quarry, his love for the theater and his theological studies to his ordination to priesthood. His deep faith and reliance on God, his gratefulness and kindness towards others, his devotion and dedication to the priestly commitment are all laid out before us with clarity and love. As he himself says, what is related here belongs to his "deepest being" and "innermost experience". Every priest and seminarian should read this and draw energy and inspiration from this 'Holy Father' and spiritual giant of our day.

Honesty Testimony from an Honest Man
Pope John Paul II is an intellectual giant, capable of holding his own with any great thinker. However, JP2 has been blessed with an ability to relate his innermost longings and ideas to even children. Gift and Mystery is a recollection that can hold the interest of any scholar while making a schoolboy smile. The pope methodically retells his soul's desire to be united to God and to follow His will as a young boy, employing a most vulnerable state of being to the reader. We follow the pope through his college and seminary days with delight until that wonderful day this man was ordained a priest of the Lord. With clarity and love, JP2 gives us a taste of the power of the Holy Spirit transforming him into the glorious leader he is today. At the same time, it gives us a hope and a vision of what God can also do in our own lives. A true masterpiece!

Great book from a very holy man
This vocation story of Pope John Paul II is a truly inspiring tale of how he came to his decision of answering his vocation to the Priesthood. He shares how the different factors of his life and different people in his life helped prepare him for the Priesthood, and benefit his spiritual life. This is a great book for those, such as myself, who aspire the Priesthood.

A Life
Pope John Paul II examines the course of his life from a war-torn Poland, to the halls of The Vatican. At the end of the book, the reader is sure to realize that most of the time, the greatest gifts in our lives start off as mysteries. We start off in the fog, and as we live, we begin to see the path unfold in front of us. ... Read more

Book Description

The story of one young man's remarkable journey from corporate America to the Society of Jesus, the world's largest Catholic religious order. Martin leads you from his Catholic childhood through his rapid success and ultimate dissatisfaction with the buisiness world, to his novitiate and profession of vows as a Jesuit. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Great story.
Martin's personal journey of faith, which eventually led him into the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), is quite a story.He was a young successful business man rising quickly through the corporate ranks at General Electric. But the "unseen hook" brought him to change dramatically - literally from riches to poverty.The reader gets a sense of Martin's sincerity as they journey with him through his younger years in business, and eventually, his experience as a Jesuit novice.
Though the story itself is powerful, I rated this book with only three stars because I found Martin's prose to be lacking at some points in the story.Perhaps I'm being harsh; forgive me.
I recommend this book to any reader who wishes to understand the Catholic preisthood better, especially those young men considering joining the Jesuits.

A Great Read
James Martin's book is just the right thing for anyone with an interest in the contemporary Catholic Church. It's especially helpful for those thinking of joining a religious order or becoming a priest--or those who are interested in why a person would make such a commitment in this day and age.Martin's writing style makes this a personal and provocative read.One of the reviewers on the back cover says Martin is a Thomas Merton for this time--perhaps, but in his own style.I'd highly recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in religion.

Truly moving
Fr. Martin has produced a moving, thought-provoking work that places the phenomenon of religious vocation in a modern context and explores deeply and honestly the motivations behind and struggles within the discernment of a call to ordained service. An earlier reviewer seems to have missed Fr. Martin's lengthy commentary in the last chapter on the individual vows (including chastity); but in addition, I suspect that the author didn't elaborate more fully on his own relationship experience as he didn't seem to have much time for girlfriends -- either at college or at GE. As a devout Catholic, I was greatly pleased to find a book that finally manages to elucidate something that has been grossly misunderstood in popular culture: that the priesthood is a vocation, not an escape. Congratulations to Fr. Martin on a truly stunning accomplishment; this should be required reading for all Catholics, lapsed and practicing.

Fantastic!
I loved this book!It's the story of a guy who leaves his life as a corporate executive and enters a religious order.He deals with all the things you'd wonder about: celibacy, prayer, religion and doubt. It's a great book for seekers and believers and it's very honest and inspirational.

Something's really wrong here....
Some of my Catholic friends really liked this book, so I read
it.But it made me wonder about one BIG question.The author
never says a word about his reactions to taking a vow of
celibacy.Isn't this a pretty important thing?Isn't
sexuality an important part of life, whether or not you choose
to be celibate?There is not a word said about girlfriends
or lack of girlfriends when he was a layman.This too is
curious.A rector of major Catholic seminary has recently
written a book saying many seminarians are homosexuals. I
personally do not believe that, but a book like this makes
me wonder about the author.He also avoids the severe decline
in numbers that the Jesuit order is going thru.Why is this? ... Read more

Book Description

For almost two thousand years devoted believers, mystics, innocents, and even non-believers have reported to have near-to-life, fully perceptual, visitations with Jesus Christ.In 1992 He appeared to Glenda Green and spoke with her daily for almost four months.The expressed purpose of their visit was to paint His portrait, but nothing in the history of her career as an artist or university professor had prepared her for the life transformation that was about to take place.During this time, they spoke…as friends do, of many wonderful things—both miraculous and practical.Nothing would ever be the same.Her penetrating report of this experience is sincere, unbiased, and free of religious contrivance. In many ways her perceptions provide a bridge to the new millennium.

Never before has language or a state of consciousness been present to examine the nature of such a miraculous occurrence as well as to develop the profound implications of it.Here is a brilliant glimpse of eternity, rich with practical applications to life. These messages are sparkling and direct with great contemporary relevance, Imparting in every way the impact of Divinity in communion with a thoughtful and well educated woman of our generation.Amazing answers are given to more than 300 penetrating questions. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

JESUS SPEAKS TO HUMANITY TODAY
This book has the power of spiritual truth, and there is no doubt in my mind that what Glenda Green says Jesus told her is true. What's more, he actually appeared before her on many occasions, so she could paint his portrait, a beautiful reproduction of which appears in her book. At Amazon.com, I was only able to find one other non-fiction book, in addition to Love Without End, that contains Jesus' responses to questions: Messages from Jesus, by Saint Ta. Out of around 56,000 books pertaining to Jesus, these are the only ones in which he answers questions.

Jesus words to Glenda Green and Saint Ta are intended for the world. They shed light on many puzzles that the New Testament alone does not solve. For example, does love in its purest form have an opposite? The answer is "no". From the most sublime perspective, love has no opposites. It is all-embracing, beyond duality, and encompasses everything. This is the answer that Jesus gives us in these two books.

Both books are outstanding. Love Without End covers philosophical and scientific topics, and many other matters not discussed in Messages from Jesus, while the latter work, written by a spiritual healer, includes conversations about war and terrorism, living in oneness and love, reincarnation and karma, healing, and many practical issues not discussed in Glenda's book. It is reassuring that Jesus is giving us truth and practical guidance, at this time, on many matters of great importance to humanity. Open-minded Christians, as well as readers of spiritual, metaphysical, and inspirational literature, will gain wisdom and be motivated to live in love with God and all creation by reading these books.

I Love This Book
In reading Jesus' words I was inspired and my heart filled with the knowledge that "I am Love". Life's lessons all became clear, and the purpose that God intended for us apparent. Do yourself a favor, read this book. You won't regret it.

Love Without End: Jesus Speaks...
This extraordinary book changed my life...it answered so many questions about the distortions of the Aramaic translations of the words of Jesus. It confirmed for me, without doubt, what I always felt in my heart about the messages of Christ...and confirms that He IS with us now.

Intriguing, captivating, and has depth
If you would suspend logic for a moment and imagine that Jesus was a guest at your house for a period of time, what would you do? After your initial shock you would probably get to a point where you would start asking a lot of questions. That is what happens in this book between the author and Jesus. What suprised me about this book was the range and depth of topics covered. The author really hits just about every angle possible as far as asking questions and Jesus provides answers that are articulate, detailed, and quite honestly, comforting to know. Yes, call me crazy, I think she communicated with Jesus. Each turn of the page will gently melt away your doubt.

Love Without End - Jesus Speaks . . . and reasonates
If you've ever picked up a book in which the words reasonated within your body, this is definately one of them. If you really want to understand 'the love that you are' in the most innocent, yet intense way, give it a read. I leave it by my bedside and just open to any page to quiet my thoughts and awaken my soul. And, I really found the universal and scientific descriptions of the origins of the universe and ourselves very appealing. A must for moving up on a spiritual path. Namaste' Kim ... Read more

Reviews (25)

A life changing experience!
This book on the life of Rees Howells is a must read for anyone desiring greater intimacy with God through prayer. I have read the book twice, the second time after searching for it for almost two years. The simplicity and profoundness of this man,s prayer life demonstrates that God simply desires for us to love and reverence Him out of purity of heart. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to be spiritually revived.

Rees Howells-Intercessor
This book changed my relationship with the Lord more than any single book (outside of the Bible). It is a must read for anyone, not just those gifted in intercession. The author systematically reveals how God works with Rees Howells to purify his heart and become a true doulos/servant (sold-out bond slave). I will read this book again and again until the return. Oh yeah, bring the kleenex!

A Truly Life Changing Book
If you only read four books in addition to the Bible as a Christian, this should be one of them. I have met more people that this book has had a life-changing impact upon than any other. (A close #2 is With Christ In The School Of Prayer by Andrew Murray).

Rees Howells is an example of a person who laid down his life for others, labored in prayer and, in doing so, touched the heart of God. His life was a picture of what 1 John 3:16-24 describes.

TRULY ANOINTED AND INSPIRING
My Pastor lent me a copy of this book and it truly ministered to me in a powerful way. When I started reading it I could not put it down. About that time I had to travel and it was my companion on the plane. The events in the life of Rees Howell was an inspiration to me as it caused me to trust in the power of almighty God accessed in intercession.
The copy was not my own, that is why I am getting one now.
Blessed reading.

Captivating
This book was a joy to read! It gave me new insight into how to live the Christian life. While I don't believe we are all called to be intercessors as he was, I believe we can all gain from the steps of relinquishment he took. It became very clear to me that he lived a hard life, but probably more exciting and more fullfilling than any other person who followed Jesus with the exception of the Apostles. This book will definitely help in understanding the real Christian walk and the joy that can be received when we obey His calling. It is very easy reading and is hard to put down. Miracles abound in his life. Spiritual warfare is put into context of recent history. Wonderful! ... Read more

Book Description

So begins Nick Tosches's sprawling biography of Arnold Rothstein, which, in fact, is so much more: not only an elegy to old New York but an idiosyncratic history of the world as told in Nick Tosches's inimitable style.

Known by many names -- A. R., Mr. Big, The Fixer, The Big Bankroll, The Man Uptown, and The Brain -- Rothstein seemed more myth than man. He was gambling, and he was money. The inspiration for Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, he was rumored to be the mastermind of the Black Sox scandal, the fixing of the 1919 World Series. He was Mr. Broadway and had his own booth at Lindy's Restaurant in Manhattan, where he held court.

Now, in King of the Jews, Nick Tosches, "one of the greatest living American writers" (Dallas Observer), examines Rothstein's extraordinary legacy by placing him at the center of nothing less than the history of the entire Western world.

Reviews (2)

GOOD TOSCHES BUT NOTGREAT TOSCHES !
I am a fan fanatic when it comes to the work of Nick Tosches , and having read "In the Hand of Dante ', and then "Where Dead Voices Gather" , I am convinced Tosches is a genius. I am still in the process of buying up all that he has written. Having lit the candles and incense at the Tosches altar , Imust admit that after reading "King of the Jews" in two days I was disappointed. This time he was not able to spin the magic as he did in "Trinities" and "Cut Numbers" , which I consider his masterpieces to date. I will still buy everything he writes and hope to meet him for dinner at some future date before we get much older.

Tedium, Thy Name is Tosches
Tosches is a bore, a literary con man and his tough-guy narcissist act hits bottom with this stinkeroo. While his books aren't, strictly speaking, good, they usually are have at least one memorable moment. Here, though, Tosches' unrelenting and petulant self-pity makes for a very ugly book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though Mother Teresa's words may be spare, her good deeds are abundant. The messages in this lovely collection--directed at coworkers, sisters, and others eager to hear the words of someone who lived the challenge she presented to others--are sure to provide inspiration for anyone who reads them. The quotes, stories, and prayers are a testament to the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize winner's generosity and strength of spirit: "Good works are links that form a chain of love"; "I never will understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish"; "Before judging the poor, we have to examine with sincerity our own conscience." Mother Teresa's words and deeds fortified and inspired the poor, the dying, and the suffering. These powerful messages, combined with black-and-white photos of this highly regarded woman doing the work she loved, make for a truly unforgettable book. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

words of great wisdom
This book is made up entirely of Mother Teresa's anecdotes and sayings. The author tells us little about this saintly woman except that Mother Teresa was very clear in her goals: to love and serve the poor and to see Jesus in everyone. She always left the ways and means to do this in God's hands. These are a few of the passages that inspired me.

"Holiness does not consist in doing extraordinary things. It consists in accepting, with a smile, what Jesus sends us. It consists in accepting and following the will of God."

"Holiness is not the luxury of a few. It is everyone's duty: yours and mine."

"In order to be saints, you have to seriously want to be one. Saint Thomas Aquinas assures us that holiness "is nothing else but a resolution made, the heroic act of a soul that surrenders to God." And he adds: "Spontaneously we love God, we run towards him, we get close to him, we possess him." Our willingness is important because it changes us into the image of God and likens us to him! The decision to be holy is a very dear one. Renunciation, temptations, struggles, persecutions, and all kinds of sacrifices are what surround the soul that has opted for holiness."

"Prayer makes your heart bigger, until it is capable of containing the gift of God himself."

"Prayer does not demand that we interrupt our work, but that we continue working as if it were prayer."

"To love with a pure heart, to love everybody, especially to love the poor, is a twenty-four-hour prayer."

"My secret is a very simple one: I pray. To pray to Christ is to love him."

"Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at his disposition, and listening to his voice in the depths of our hearts."

"Every day at communion time, I communicate two of my feelings to Jesus. One is gratefulness, because he has helped me to persevere until today. The other is a request: teach me to pray."

"Never forget, my children, that the poor are our masters. That is why we should love them and serve them, with utter respect, and do what they bid us."

"I ask you one thing: do not tire of giving, but do not give your leftovers. Give until it hurts, until you feel the pain."

"Let us ask God, when it comes time to ask him for something, to help us to be generous."

"The poor are great! The poor are wonderful! The poor are very generous! They give us much more than we give them."

"Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them."

"Do we share with the poor, just like Jesus shared with us?"

"Whoever the poorest of the poor are, they are Christ for us - Christ under the guise of human suffering."

"Our food, our dress: it all must be just like the poor. The poor are Christ himself."

"The less we have, the more we give. Seems absurd, but it's the logic of love."

"True love causes pain. Jesus, in order to give us the proof of his love, died on the cross. A mother, in order to give birth to her baby, has to suffer. If you really love one another, you will not be able to avoid making sacrifices."

"Someone once told me that not even for a million dollars would they touch a leper. I responded: "Neither would I. If it were a case of money, I would not even do it for two million. On the other hand, I do it gladly for love of God."

"I will never tire of repeating this: what the poor need the most is not pity but love. They need to feel respect for their human dignity, which is neither less nor different from the dignity of any other human being."

My elderly parents-in-law often talk about the time when they met Mother Teresa. This book is probably the closest we will get to sitting at her feet and listening to her words of wisdom.

Words of great wisdom

Beautiful, Inspiring Compilation
This collection of Mother Teresa's own words was compiled by a journalist who knew her personally. The quotes are practical and spiritual, like the saint herself. They're arranged within several categories, including Holiness, Generosity, and Life And Death. One of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes from the book: "Some remind me of what a magazine once said about me; it described me as a "living saint." If someone sees God in me, I am happy. I see God in everyone, and especially in those who suffer." Be sure to read the Introduction for a brief account of her remarkable life. Each chapter begins with a photo of Mother Teresa in her work. Whatever your religion or faith, race or color, you will draw both inspiration and hope from this holy woman's heartfelt words.

-- Graciela Sholander, http://dreamitdoit.net

An expression of love for her fellow humans
This collection of quotes was put together by Jose Luis Gonzalez-Balado a year before Mother Teresa's death. It is an indispensable collection of wisdom for those who work with the poor or who are concerned for them.

Her words are categorised into fifteen chapters some dealing specifically with her work among the poor and others being more general. Mother Teresa, was of course, a Roman Catholic nun and as a result much of her material centers on Christ and finding him among the poor. However, even if you are not Roman Catholic you will find the message endearing. It is one of love and concern for our fellow human beings.

Reach for a Star
Want to know what is missing? Want to know where to find it? The model of Mother Teresa is not one to make us feel inadequate but it challenges us to reach for who we were really created to be. Each one in their own way...in their own place... can find a way to make their part of the world ... a sweeter place to be. Enjoy....be inspired...

Inspirational
This is not the book to read if you are seeking great literature. All that you will find here is simple, honest spirituality.

Read this little book only if you can endure being shamed. Read it only if you are strong enough to face the truth that none of us is whom God intended us to be. None of us is whom we were meant to be: whom we can be.

Read this little book if you wish to be inspired by the saint's musings to become more than you already are. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone loves a transforming story. Rags to riches. Plain to beautiful. Weak to strong. Esther's story is that, and much more. It is a thought-provoking study of God's invisible hand, writing silently across the pages of human history. Perhaps most of all, it is an account of a godly woman with the courage, wisdom, and strength to block an evil plot, overthrow an arrogant killer, and replace with joy in thousands of Jewish homes. Through Esther's courageous struggle to help her people, Swindoll explains the power of divine providence in volume 2 of the best-selling "Great Lives" series.

Reviews (11)

Cool book
I hadn't read the Book of Esther before buying this book by Charles Swindoll. The way that he presents the information is fun yet informative. A lot of times he will relate the happenings as to how they might occur in today's world just to illustrate the events further. This is a great book! I highly recommend it.

A Book Full of Application
The entire Great Lives Series are biographies on individuals of the Bible. They are wonderful books because they can be read at many different levels. This book, on Esther, is no different.
On the surface level one can read this book and learn a lot about Esther. The next level reveals the character of God, and another level teaches the reader application for their own life and relationship with God.

This book is entirely about Esther, but doesn't have anything to do with Esther. Through reading this book one learns about Esther, her experiences, and the era she lived in. Yet what we are really learning are principles that remain constant for all people and all time. Some of these are: waiting on the Lord, the invincibility of God despite his invisibility, and self- constraint through the holy spirit. Like the parables Jesus used, the story of Esther's life is merely a tool God uses to portray His will. This is something Charles Swindoll has discovered, and I believe his intent in writing this book is to help us discover the same.

One of the great aspects of this book is that it is part of a series and each book in the series addresses different lessons and characteristics of God. These books introduce life- changing application we might otherwise miss in our regular bible reading and therefore, can greatly enhance our time in God's word.

Esther the Ideal Woman
Recently I read this with a group over a period of 8 weeks.
It found it quite insightful and encouraging to the group and believe that there were many good principles that Chuck had to say. You do feel very encouraged after reading this book. It's main focus is on God's providence and soveriegnity over our lives. Esther is the ultimate example of that.
However, I do have a few critisms that would benefit anyone who plans to get the book. First, Chuck does tend to derive alot of principles from the text that you may not necessarily have looked for when you read the book of Esther. I understand why he does this, to allow the reader to sympathize with Esther's character. Second, at times it seems Chuck is making Esther an ideal that we all should follow, that's okey to a certain extent. Third, he really didn't spend much time on the historical background of Esther's time, which I think would allow the reader to understand where she was coming from. (We supplimented that information in our meeting.) Fourth, he did not need 12 chapters to write about principles from Esther. The last two were good, but not too necessary.
With that said, I think this book is a great read for Christians who want to learn about applying God's word personally to their lives, and as a good read for those times when you can't get into a heavy study in the Bible. Esther is a refreshing book that offers much hope and encouragement to those who read it.

Not this one
The book has an attractive cover and is well-marketed. Beyond that, it's not worth the investment of time nor money. The well-meaning author writes in a folksy narrative, with flagrant grammar flaws and overuses exclamation marks. The organization and chronology are likewise poor. Worse yet, substantively, the book reaches far and states assumptions which are not Biblically sound. Unfortunately, the author is not clear to point out those incidences when he may be speculating versus citing fact, which makes for some unsound theology. Read the Biblical book of Esther and see how vastly different it is from this book. This read is heavy on extras and tangents that are irrelevant to the theme.

A Woman of Strength and Dignity
Charles Swindoll aptly connects the time of great Israel persecution and a courageous woman who saved her people from genocide to modern readers who will feel like they know her by the end of the book. The cultural analysis is especially fascinating. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great Read!
I simply could not put this book down! Its amazing. It really allows you to get to know Oswald so well. I found in the book many similarities between myself and Oswald. Oswald Chambers was a beautiful humble and unselfish man. In the back of the book are many of his poems too.

A worthy read, a noble life
After reading Chambers' word daily for the previous three years, I had already been changed by the man's insights into the God's Word and the disciple's walk. As Richard Halverson (former Chaplain of the United States Senate) said of My Utmost for His Highest, "No book except the Bible has influenced my walk with Christ at such deep and maturing levels."

When I began to read what I thought would simply be a pleasantly uplifting and inspiring life story of a man I already admired, I did not imagine how much McCasland's biography would enrich my appreciation of Chambers' words and life. The book is quite well written, and was most certainly enjoyable, but it provided far more enriching rewards. The details of Chambers' life and thinking that McCasland's work painted became a context which greatly deepens the significance of Chambers' writing - especially My Utmost for His Highest. Provided with Chambers' background, upbrinning, struggles, failings, loves, sacrifices, ambitions, convictions, conversations, correspondences and more, his own writing has led me to even deeper appreciation and understanding of the walk of a faithful servant of Christ. I am still astounded that he died at my own age - how could such a young man come to know the Lord and the yoke of service so well in such a short time?! I am grateful that McCasland went on to relate the story of Biddy, Oswald's widow, and her incredible faithfulness to the work that Oswald was unable to continue.

I have already purchased and given away several copies of Abandoned to God, and will continue to recommend and share it. McCasland has done more than simply told the story of a man, he has revealed and shared a noble life with us. In summation, I must say that this book has become my favorite biography, and has probably made more difference in my life than any other I have read. Thank you, David McCasland!

life changing
As a reader of Oswald Chambers work, I was anxious to read more about the man. This book was life-changing, spiritually challenging and inspiring. Although an "easy" read in many respects, it's content was not easy to digest. I found it thought provoking and a time of self-examination. It's difficult to identify any current day lives so devoted not to "what God does, but who God is", as Oswald Chambers refers to early in the book. It's a book one would recommend without hesitancy.

Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God
This book was easy to read, very informative, and showed the very human side of a most spiritually minded man. I loved the little details that built the overall picture of who Oswald Chambers was as a man. It showed that he was flawed and weak just as we all are, but showed his sincerity and integrity before God. His life resembles in so many ways that great King David, who is known in the Scriptures as "a man after Gods own heart."

After reading his inspired "My Utmost For His Highest" daily for over 20 years, it was so rewarding to read of the man behind one of the most loved devotional books ever written.

Thorough and challenging book.
A well-written and well-documented biography of one of the deepest Christians of the Twentieth Century. Engagingly written. Challenging ... Read more

Book Description

The Columbine tragedy in April 1999 pierced the heart ofour country.In December 1999, we learned that the teenage killers specifically targeted Rachel Scott and mocked her Christian faith on their chilling, homemade videotapes.Rachel Scott died for her faith.Now her parents talk about Rachel's life and how they have found meaning in their daughter's martyrdom in the aftermath of the school shooting.Rachel's Tears comes from a heartfelt need to celebrate this young girl's life, to work through the grief and the questions of a nation, and to comfort those who have been touched by violence in our schools today.Using excerpts and drawings from Rachel's own journals, her parents offer a spiritual perspective on the Columbine tragedy and provide a vision of hope for preventing youth violence across the nation.

Reviews (89)

A book of faith
As a student who is a Biblical Studies and Theology major I can honestly say that reading Rachel's Tears has greatly enhanced my faith and walk with Jesus Christ as no other book has. The testimonies found in the writings of this profoundly spiritual young girl is breath taking to read and I would encourage anyone who is struggling with their Christian walk to read the writings of Rachel Joy Scott. I am thankful that Rachel's parents have helped this nation take a more spiritual look into the tragedy at Columbine. This book has helped me to see that the martyrdoms of Rachel Joy Scott and Cassie Bernall were not merely empty deaths, but rather, God's way of reaching out to a spiritually dying nation. There is an old Christian saying, that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church", and Rachel's parents have truly helped me understand the truth of this statement. I highly encourage everyone to read this book, as well as the books "She Said Yes" by Cassie Bernall's mother, "Columbine Courage" by Ron Luce, and the "Martyr's Torch" by Pastor Bruce Porter. I have been greatly blessed by reading these books and I hope that you will be blessed as well.

My Tears for Rachel
Rachel's Tears was an excellent book that appealed to many emotions at once. A book like that is hard to find. There was happiness, times that made me cry, when i was confused or I was amazed by her strength and faith. Rachel's Tears has changed some of my views on life. She is one that any true Christian should follow. Through the hard times at Columbine, even before the shootings, her light was always seen throughout the halls in Littleton, CO. This book was very successful in trying to allow people to understand that you don't have to be like everyone else and allow yourself to follow others. Rachel was unique in everything she did and that's why she had so many loved ones. This book does appeal to only some minds that don't mind reading very faithful stories of others but even if you don't like reading, this will be the book that changes your life after its read. Rachel's Tears definately has a long-standing value especially considering the Columbine murders have effected so many people and people will be curious throughout the time. All in all this was an excellent book that you can't put down.

Relatively Interesting
This is a relatively interesting book, but I don't believe that Rachel was asked that. That doesn't make her death any less tragic or make her any less of a person, but Rachel (along with Danny R.) was killed outside; part of a random shooting. The two other people sitting with her I believe were also shot. They weren't asked about their faith and I don't believe Rachel was either. I think the only one asked and shot was Valeen S. I think her name was. If she had been asked, and Rachel said no, they would have shot her anyway. They asked two other kids if they believed in God (Dylan did), and when someone answered yes, Dylan just walked away.

Anyway, this is an interesting read, but I did find it hard to get past all the preaching. Maybe that's because I'm not to religious, but Christians who believe that Rachel was asked will probably divulge the book. It's written well, and interesting, what's not to like if you don't mind preaching?

Just remember that Rachel and Cassie aren't the only victims here. Their death is no more important than Danny R., Daniel M., Kyle, Kelly, John, Isaiah, Corey, Steven, Lauren, Matt and Mr. Sanders. ALL of these people's deaths are important, but because it's speculated that they were asked a question doesn't make Rachel and Cassie above the others. RIP all of them!

Rachel's Tears
Rachel's Tears

Rachel's Tears, is a sad story that her parents wrote. It is a breathtaking and overwhelming story. There is Rachel, a joyful teen, that believes in God. Craig, is her brother that lays between his friends under a table in the library. Dylan and Eric are the shooters that kill themselves. Beth and Darrel are Rachel's loving parents. This non fiction story is a christian book.
Rachel's Tears takes place in Coumbine High School with about 1900 students in it. Columbine High School is near Denver, Colorado. The story has lots of passages from Rachel's journals in it. This book would be a great book for 8th grade and up to parents. A lot of people that know her wrote little things about her. Most of the stuff from Rachel's journals are letters or written poems.

Wow
This book is more than just another book about Columbine. This book is a book about a remarkable young lady who was an amazing example of how Christ wants us to be. This book touched me and gave me a new hope and desire to live my life for God by watching out for the forgotten ones. Rachel made it a goal to help others who were forgotten by the more "popular" crowds. She left some very inspiring writings in journals that she kept. These journals inspired her parents to write this book. I am so grateful that they did. I believe this book will bless both the young and the old. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Engrossing and Enlightening!
Dr. Hugh Harmon and I are nationally recognized teachers and practitioners of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. This is one of the class books we use for our students and is a book we often recommend to clients who are interested in, curious about, or fearful of life after death. It is very helpful for those struggling with loss of loved ones. The book is so engrossing, you will want to read it in one sitting. The one note we would make about the content is that it may be "off putting" to non-christians that the book seems to indicate Jesus is the lighted being one meets at death. We have conducted thousands of past life regressions in which we ask what is happening after the death of the body. People often speak of meeting Beings of Light. Christians often see Jesus or will call the Being they meet God. Non-Christians will have a different identity for this being. Some refer to the Being of Light as their own Spiritual Self or Higher Self. Our knowledge is that spirit is energy. When one meets with a spirit whose spiritual energy is very great, one will see this energy as light. In near death or just after death experiences one's mind is still focused on physical form so one's mind will create an image for the spiritual light energy one encounters. This realization will help non-christians better appreciate this book and this individual encounter with death and higher spiritual energy beings. Addendum: The prisoner in the concentration camp who the author of this books writes about: This was the man who made the decision to not hate, but to help in any way possible and to hold in love all he encountered, thus experiencing health when others were failing and joy when others sank into despair. This was as inspiring and as enlightening and as life altering as the rest of the book.

Terrific book!
What a wonderful book. This book restores faith and hope. It rings true.

It's a simple story about a miraculous event in a young man's life. The event changed this man forever causing him to lead a life of love and service. As for our lovely "Christian's Beware" reviewer just ignore that psycho-babbel.

When you read this book, listen to your heart and spirit. Judge for yourself.

it changed my life forever
This may be the best life changing book ever... If you know someone who is dying, or if you are just interested in knowing what it's like when we pass on-this is A MUST! George Ritchie is for real, no one could have made a story up like the one he presents. Thank you! A+

A blind man is one that does not want to see
What is the problem with those ppl that claim that spirits and reincarnation cannot be true? How could they know? Give yourself a chance and READ THIS BOOK. While you are at it, make yourself the HUGEST favor you could ever do and read all Allan Kardec books.
Come on, you really think God's best job is here on earth? Isn't it obvious that life is so much more than this tiny lil planet? Open your eyes, open your mind. Life on earth is short, make it worth it so you don't have to come back to this planet filled with pain.

It changed my life...compelling and awe-inspiring
This book will change many lives for the better. I can never see things the same after reading it. As one reviewer said, such sincerity can't be made up and I believe that Ritchie experienced everything just as he described it. I would recommend it to all atheists or agnostics...after reading I doubt that they would remain so. ... Read more

Book Description

This vivid and detailed biography strips away centuries of distortion and myth and presents a balanced view of the man whose religion continues to dramatically affect the course of history.

Reviews (59)

Perfect for THIS Purpose
As a High School Teacher of Seniors enrolled in a History of the Middle East Course, this book is perfect for placing the life and messages of Muhammad in a real-life historical perspective including influencial 6th century political and economic forces. Students reported that Armstrong cleared up numerous misconceptions, questions, and outright historical inaccuracies. The casual reader may find some passages regarding the 6th century clan conflicts & intrique dry, but they can skim that and still reap the well supported points Armstrong brings forth - including the history of seclusion/veil, the 5 pillars of Islam, the significance of Jerusalem for Muslims, and centuries of conflict bewteen Christiandom the Muslim world. She explains the controversy surrounding the "Satanic Verses" as well as the evolution of the religious concepts pertaining to "al-Llah." In short she weaves the ancient to make sense of the modern.

Accessible Bias
My title says it all, although 'prejudice' might be a better term....

Like Mrs. Armstrong, I am a voracious bookworm with regards to the three Momotheistic Abrahamic Faiths, and although I am a strong Christian, I thoroughly enjoy and find my faith enrichened and strengthened by reading about the 'other' monotheistic faiths. I agree with those who take the position that there are some deep seated misunderstandings regarding Islam in the West, and I agree with those who make all efforts to take (and live) a more Christ-like attitude toward those of other faiths (including those with whom we strongly disagree). I also am one who is not opposed to taking a deep hard look at my own self (and culture) and seeing the abundant ugliness therein...

That said, in light of the admitted predjudice and ignorance that exists in the west toward Muhammad and Islam, I think Mrs. Armstrong tried way too hard to swing the pendulum in the other direction to the point of coming off as so entirely biased as to render the book (and any of her books) unworthy of recommendation.

After reading her book (especially the new introduction and the first chapter: 'Muhammad the Enemy', I was amazed at the complete lack of objectivity to the point that it seemed to be deliberate... might I even venture so far as to say 'propaganda'...

I am afraid that the type of people who Mrs. Armstrong is trying to reach who read this book will be no less ignorant and prejudiced than before, except in the other direction...

Her anti-Christian, anti-western bias jump out of every paragraph. Her whitewashing of Muhammad (an admittedly versatile character; at times wise, kind and emulable, and at times cruel, treacherous and entirely inhumane) is also taken to a length that many Muslim apologists will not even go. The problem with Mrs. Armstrong is the problem with the western (and Eastern, read: Al-Jazeera) media at large. Claiming (and acting to be) objective while clearly being a fervent partisan. No, I am not a conspiracy theorist, but for the well-read and informed reader, this book has a stronger bias than most. One example might be the same old tired and mindless comparisons between some 'Christians' somewhere in the world who committed acts of violence with the daily bombardment of news stories that we all get of Islamic violence in (name that country), thus attempting to effectively nuetralize anyone who might dare make a moral judgement regarding such acts (carried out, might I add, in the name of Islam as opposed to in the name of say... Barry or Tom). Another example is the highly innaccurate claim that any verses in the Qur'an (or Haddith or genuine Sirat literture, or statements made by credible scholars and representatives of Islam) which we westerners read as promoting violence or bigotry or sexism, or you name it, are all misinterpreted based on our all-pervasive western ignorance. We are not that dumb Mrs. Armstrong. In presenting historical facts, she is consistantly biased to the point of distortion, but only in one direction. For example, in just the introduction, I was struck by the zinger (there are dozens in just the introduction) toward Christianity with reference to the distingishing mark on clothing that Muslims and Jews were forced to wear while under Christian rule in the Dark Ages of Europe. Shamefully, the claim is true. (Intolerant Westerners! - Poor persecuted Muslims.) But what Mrs. Armstrong fails to mention is that the practice of wearing a distinguishing mark on the clothing clearly originated hundreds of years earlier with Islam, prior to any such utilization by the intolerant and bigoted Western European Christians. In 807, the Abbassid caliph Haroun al- Rashid legislated that Jews were required to wear a tall, conical yellow cap and a yellow belt. In eleventh century Baghadad, Jewish women had to wear one black shoe and one red shoe as well as a small brass bell around their necks. (Clearly, a fashion 'no no' even in eleveth century Baghdad!) This practice was all part of the deliberate humiliation of the dhimminis (unbelievers) under Muslim rule. Men were forced to kneal in the town square as Muslims would whack them on the back of the head in a symbolic gesture of domination prior to collecting from the humiliated the 'Jizya' tax for all non-Muslims. Up until their departure in 1948 in Yemen all Jews were forced to dress like beggars in keeping with their lowly status as dhimminis.

In any case, I'm sure this book will continue to be used by Universities because of it's 'accessibility' but all I can say is, if you want a fully rounded perpective, read Ibn Warraq's (a former Muslim intellectual) book about Muhammad as well. Or Ali Dashti's Twenty three years. It wil take at least two books like this to help swing the pendulum to a more balanced position regarding Muhammad.

And regarding the transparent disdain for Christianity and the West, prejudice and bigotry are not excusable in any quarter. Readers looking for an objective read will not find one here.

Good intentions, but ...
I am a history buff so I have attempted to read many of original texts that Karen Armstrong refers to once in a while but I have a feeling that she hasn't really read them directly but probably quotes passages from other western authors. It is also clear that she doesn't have some the basic knowledge of Islam and Arabic. It becomes obvious when she is referring to mahr(dowry) as mahl and so forth.

I nevertheless found the book to be sympathetic in trying to understand and explain about Muhammad in the context of history, religion and our modern secular approach to everything. But here again her sources seem to be mostly western, materialistic, secularists or missionary types. These types of scholars haven't always done a good job of keeping their biases in check.

The plus for this book is that it is not meant for the converted who would prefer Martin Lings. It is also not too polemical like Haykal and it is much easier to read than the original sources like Ibn Ishaq. So I would recommend it for someone who wants an easy introduction to Muhammad's life. The serious student of history should go read the original sources.

I appreciate Karen Armstrong for trying but some serious scholar needs to do a better job of presenting Muhammad to an English speaking Westrerner who is truly open to learning with an open mind.

This book is better called ¿Western perception of Muhammad¿.
The book looks at the development of Western knowledge of the Prophet and how this relates to the image of Islam as a religion. It is predominantly based on secondary production of material written in English and therefore suffers from the inherent bias it has tried hard to correct.

This has led to some obvious errors, such as the number of daily Muslem prayers, which is five rather than three. Likewise the prophet was the final messenger from God delivering the final revelations to all mankind, rather than to the Arabs alone. Similarly, Pilgrimage is not an Arab ritual, but a requirement by God (Allaah) started by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Prophet Ismail (Ishmael) before the Arabs even existed. Prophet Muhammad was ordered to restore this act of worship back to being pure to Allaah (God) alone, after pagans filled the Kabaa with idols.

More seriously, the author tried to explain the Prophet actions as thoughtful and planned sequence, which fails to relate to him being a Prophet. Rather than a successful leader or social reformer, the Prophet was simply Allaah's (God's) final messenger who passed the final guidance to mankind, upholding and correcting previous messages. What is great about this Prophet is that he went through the hurdles he faced to fulfil his duty, which is passing the message completely and accurately.

The beauty of the message and the wisdom of the sequence are credit to Allaah (God) alone. There is no point therefore in implying that the Prophet wanted to imitate the Jews by instructing Muslems to pray. He had no intention of his own and the lessons learnt in various parts of his life are those from God (Allaah). Every thing he said or did was the direct order from God (Allaah), from fighting to making peace. Daily prayer is a requirement by God (Allaah) rather than an imitation of Jews.

This pattern, of implied intentions, is repeated throughout the book and is totally untrue.

The book is close to a university dissertation, which makes it a complicated reading for an average reader who may not know much about the Prophet.

The Prophet is an opressor of women
According to Fatima Mernissi in Beyond the Veil, the Prophet robbed women of their freedom. Mernissi is a Moslem author who is very honest about the founder of the Islamic faith.

According to Mernissi, Mohamed was a polygamist who married a dozen women. He was also a pedophile. His wife Aisha was 9 years old. He permitted Moslem men to marry four women simultaneously, even though he admitted that it is impossible to be fair to more than one woman.

Also, according to the Koran, and to Moslem Scholars today, a man has the right to beat his wife under some circumstances. I heard it from the mouth of the head of the Department of Fiqh or Jurrisprudence on Al Jazzera.

Like Mernissi, I am a Moslem woman too. There is no doubt that Mohamed was a disaster of historical proportion, if only because his followers are so attached to him today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Invitation to Joy is an indispensable book for anyone who wants to understand the papacy of John Paul II. It is a straightforward, simple pictorial memoir that collects excerpts from the pope's writings and speeches (including one previously unpublished original prayer), sewn together with Vatican-approved commentary by former Time correspondent Greg Burke. In four chapters (entitled "The Human Family"; "The People of God"; "Human Dignity"; and "A Devotional Life"), John Paul II presents an epigrammatic, rough-cut portrait of his life and religious vision. ("'Life' is one of the most beautiful titles which the Bible attributes to God. He is the living God.") Each chapter contains dozens of color photographs of the pope, in almost every conceivable setting--from his own confessional in the church of St. John Lateran to New York's Central Park. (Many of these photographs sprawl across two full pages, and their emotional impact is difficult to describe in words.)

Archbishop Jorge Maria Mejia, archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church, has written an exuberant introduction to the book, which is the best possible summary of the message that John Paul II offers in the pages that follow: "Here is a man, known around the world, who proclaims with gestures and words that life is worth living: that it has a meaning, that it is not closed off between two inscrutable abysses, that it is not inside itself, but is open to others; that love is possible and enriching; that all of us, men and women, whatever the hue of our skins, are called to form a family, with God." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful array of photos
This book contains little excerpts from various speeches and works of Pope John Paul II. It also contains a brilliant collection of photos taken of the Pope over the years. It is an inspirational book, and a GREAT collection of photos, if you are looking for pics of our wonderful Pope.

Beautiful and Moving
This book is deeply inspirational. What a great gift Pope John Paul II is to the world! The photograph of the Holy Father and Mother Theresa smiling into each other's eyes is incredible. This book is a personal treasure.

-Very intense,astounding!...A golden light for anyone-
In his most recent account, His Holiness Pope John Paul the II is still representing a truly Christian view of not only Europe but the whole world. John Paul the II gives concrete examples of how you can be happy and live "joyfully" through the "living spirit". The Pope says that you must be humble and completely surrender to GOD. Only then can a "true beleiver" find a bit of peice in "the world of men". He goes on to site many examples, idieas , and even mentions some of the great saints in thr tradition! ... ... Read more

Book Description

Entering her fortieth year, Beverly Donofrio, a "lapsed Catholic," inexplicably begins collecting Virgin Mary memorabilia at yard sales. Her search for kitsch, however, soon becomes a spiritual quest, leading her to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Medjugorje. There, she learns that Mary comes into your life only when pride steps out and receives a bonus: hope. In Looking for Mary, Donofrio offers the universal story about a woman who-in a quest for the Blessed Mother-finds herself. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

inspiring on so many levels!
If you are Catholic and struggling, read this book! If you are a woman, a mother and struggling, read this book! If you need inspiration or faith, read this book!

What a wonderful read! I found this book accidently and Beverly would suggest that maybe I was led to it. I wouldn't argue with her.

Between the de-emphasis on Mary in the current US Catholic Church and the criticism of my Prostestant friends, I had lost a commitment to Mary. The rosary was passe and praying to her constituted icon worship. Though I am still grappling with the likelihood of the Assumption, Beverly's experiences have opened my heart to the love and support that Mary can provide. The Hail Mary is again tripping off my tongue.

Beverly speaks directly from her heart into the reader's with a voice that is real and powerful.

Yes, I believe Mary has a job for Beverly and it has started beautifully with this book.

Guilt! Travels! Miracles! And The B.V.M!
I loved this autobiography; one really comes to like and admire Beverly (hard to imagine not being on a first name basis with her by the book's end ) both for the courage in pouring her heart out and the witty charm of her writing style. A rare combination indeed.

For Protestants who believe that Mary equals idolatry, do not worry, sometimes whole weeks go by and we Catholics do not see a statue of Mary weeping tears of blood at our local parish.

Besides, this narrative is unlikely to make it into a Catholic Book of the Month Club (Is there such a thing?) what with Beverly deliberately writing that she hoped Jesus and Mary Magdalene got it on, that she couldn't bring herself to see J.P # 2 despite being granted a Papal audience because his stance on birth control and women in general is barbarically primitive; and that she loves worshipping (she knows damn well the party line is 'venerating') The Blessed Virgin Mary--or as Beverly refers to her, the B.V.M.

What we've got here is a repentant Christian, who is brought back to the Church, in spite of herself, through the Grace of The B.V.M.--who is frankly aware of the absurdity of her condition and yet tremendously grateful.

As for the travelogue, Beverly takes us to the spiritual heights of Medjurgoje; where seeing the sun spin out of orbit or having silver medals that turn into gold is commonplace enough to be blase, to the abyss of whitebread West Los Angeles, California, where a young priest beams at the congregation while recounting how much he likes to rollerblade (Like, groovy, dude!)

In the end, our heroine finds a home, liturgy and peace in Mexico. But the travels are only part of the panorama of sinners, saints, zealots, bigots, and other assorted lunatics which make up The Church (and this book.)

The redemption of Beverly is a bittersweet story. Hardest to take is her self-flagellation at not having been a good mother to her son, Jason,---who must be pushing 30 and sounds like he's turned out really quite well.

Even though to hear Beverly tell it, she sounds as if she sold him to child prostitution and broke his bones to get alms from strangers on the adcvice of her boyfriends.

Beverly, ease up, you weren't THAT bad of a mother!

She was a teenage mom who married a loon because she got pregnant. She resented her son for 'grounding' her during her youth, and avoided some tough choices by being his "pal" rather than his Mom.

Oh yes she also (gasp!) got involved with even weirder men and made a mess of her life while Jason tagged along--Ok, so it won't win he Donna Reed/ Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, but she wasn't exactly a Kennedy who could afford 3 nannies for Jason. As a matter of fact, she was essentially a kid herself who got very little help from anyone.

Plus there were episodes in which her behavior in defending her son were brave and truly exemplary but she dsmisses them when contrasting them to her acts of selfishness.

In any case, above all, this is a touching story, remarkably free of sentimentality and very, very human.

thanks, Beverly.

Enhhh... I liked it but.....
I found myself skipping around a lot through this one looking for the interesting parts. I realize that D'Onofrio makes her living demonstrating her lack of mothering skills in literature, but this one tends toward the self-pitying from time to time. Her journey to find Mary leads her around the world and is somewhat lacking in structure. I wouldn't put it on the top of your "to-buy" list, but if you see an affordable or library copy, it is worth the afternoon it took me to read it.

Really opened my eyes
As a Lutheran, I never really learned anything about Mary, other than the fact she was the mother of Jesus. But while at the library one afternoon, I was walking down an aisle and my eyes fell upon this book. It was tucked away behind some bigger books. I'm not sure why it stuck out but I picked it up, took it home, and read it. It was wonderful! It really made me more interested in Mary. While reading it one night, I smelled roses, which I found really strange, but oddly soothing. On the next page it says that when Mary is around, people say they smell roses.

I thought this was a wonderful book.

Finding Mary
A friend recommended this book ... and I have to say it was a fine read. It's the story of Beverly Donofrio's search for meaning in her life via the Virgin Mary. She started out collecting Mary icons at yard sales and soon had an entire room dedicated to Mary. God does work in mysterious ways.

She delves in depth into her relationship with her son and how God healed that part of her life. But I had to laugh out loud at one statement she made. She said she just couldn't understand why God did not include Mary in the Trinity, bless her heart. What most people don't know (and male preachers/priests seldom ever mention) is that in the Old Testament God is referred to as El Shaddai. Shaddai is formed from "shad" (the breast) Genesis 49:25 or "The Breasted" - the "Nourisher", "the Strength-Giver", the "Satisfier" who pours Himself/Herself into believing lives. God is all female/all male and thankfully, much, much more than the sum of the two! ... ... Read more

Book Description

Mohandas K. Gandhi, called Mahatma (“great soul”), was the father of modern India, but his influence has spread well beyond the subcontinent and is as important today as it was in the first part of the twentieth century and during this nation’s own civil rights movement. Taken from Gandhi’s writings throughout his life, The Essential Gandhi introduces us to his thoughts on politics, spirituality, poverty, suffering, love, non-violence, civil disobedience, and his own life. The pieces collected here, with explanatory head notes by Gandhi biographer Louis Fischer, offer the clearest, most thorough portrait of one of the greatest spiritual leaders the world has known.
“Gandhi was inevitable. If humanity is to progress, Gandhi is inescapable. . . . We may ignore him at our own risk.” –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

With a new Preface drawn from the writings of Eknath Easwaran

In the annals of spirituality certain books stand out both for their historical importance and for their continued relevance. The Vintage Spiritual Classics series offers the greatest of these works in authoritative new editions, with specially commissioned essays by noted contemporary commentators. Filled with eloquence and fresh insight, encouragement and solace, Vintage Spiritual Classics are incomparable resources for all readers who seek a more substantive understanding of mankind's relation to the divine. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Easy to Read Impossible to Forget
The best anything I've ever read about Gandhiji! I read this over 6 weeks when I was visiting India in the Fall of 2000 to see my mother for the last time. Every night I was so eager to read the book from the place I left the night before. At the end, the book was in several pieces but I still remember the highlights. A great author to write a great book about a unique soul!

A Message for Today
Gandhi's words have never been so pertinent as they are today. This is an anthology of his writings, edited by topic in chronological order. It's an autobiography revealing Gandhi's evolution from a fearful young man, afraid of the dark, to a fearless leader who feared no rebuke by an empire. More than an aesthete in a modern world, Gandhi's complexity is revealed in each passage as he penitently reveals his transformation into selfless service and living simply. His words and actions inspired others to follow without fear of retaliation and could guide today's leaders to a peaceful resolve. The book reads like a primer on non-violence.

Eknath Easwaran's 18 page Preface is worth the price of the 339 page paperbound book.

Must Read For All
This book is one of my favorite non-fiction books. The beauty of this book is that the main points are in Ghandi's exact quotes while the flow of the arguments are edited by his biographer, Louis Fischer, to give a great feel of direction. Because Ghandi edited his own newspaper his life-changing views are abundant and easily accessible. If only this book were read by all leaders of people.

Best Gandhi book available.
I have read every Gandhi book i could get my hands on, such as all his autobiographies, and this book is by far the best and just as accurate. With this book and the writings that are on his official website, you will have all the information you will ever need. One thing to keep in mind, that many people seem to forget, is that Gandhi was a normal man like you and me. He made mistakes just like every other man, but had the courage to always follow his 'inner voice' even in his unperfectness. This is a life changing book for those who dare to look within themselves.

Great Thoughts from a Great Man
This is a mind opening, life changing book. The thoughts and writings, spaning over the entire course of Gandhi's life, offer a glipse into the mind and habits of one of God's greatest followers. His peaceful approach to life and his undying love for friend and foe alike will motivate any reader to the highest level. This is a must read for anyone, regardless of nationality or creed, who wishes to see the potential all humans have within them. ... Read more

Book Description

Newly updated in today's language, Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God speaks more powerfully than ever. Those who long to exprerience God in the midst ofbusy lives will be encouraged and inspired by this simple vision of the irresistable joy of living in the presence of God...every moment. ... Read more

Reviews (37)

An outstanding edition. . .
. . .of a great spiritual work.

Every Christian, whether Protestant or Catholic should read and inwardly digest this powerful book.

Brother Lawrence was the sort of Christian who lived his life in quiet obedience to his God, and spent every moment he could in God's presence -- whether in chapel worship, working in the kitchen, on business trips for his monastary, etc.

His maxims for living a profound Christian life are not difficult to grasp -- they just take a lifetime to put into practice.

This new translation, edited by the late Baptist scholar Hal Helms, is a valuable addition to the "Paraclete Press" line of Christian classics.

May this book bless you, as it has blessed me.