Reviews (33)

This is not a how-to book
I was sceptical thinking that this was a "7-steps-to-a-better-marriage" book. Instead it was an eye opening treatise as to God's intentions for creating marriage. Building our marriage in God's sense is one of the most definable ways God has created for us to become more like Christ. Saying we love people is easy, loving a spouse whom we see everyday is the proof! Great book! An invigorating book for all to read. If it is too difficult, read it in parts and use the discussion questions in the back to creat your own action plan.

A Must-Read For All Married Christians
This is hands down the best book on marriage I have read. It is a completely different approach than marriage "help" books that focus how to be happy in your marriage, how to open up the communication, and how to be equal givers in your partnership. Rather, Gary Thomas focuses in this book on how to grow close to God through your marriage.
A User's Guide to Christian Marriage
I cannot begin to praise this book by Gary Thomas enough. As a minister, I officiate a lot of weddings and I can say without hesitation that I will strongly recommend this book to every couple I have contact with. SACRED MARRIEGE poses the question, "What if God designed marriage to make us Holy more than to make us happy?" Thomas then goes on to deftly and succinctly illustrate how marriage is intended to take us to levels of spirituality most people will never conceive of.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Marriage    3. Religion    4. Religion - Marriage & Family    5. Christian Interest    6. Christian life & practice    7. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

Even well-versed Biblical scholars might be perplexed if asked about Jabez, a little-known man listed in 1 Chronicles, chapter 4. Yet his simple petition is the cornerstone of Read more

Reviews (546)

"A bit shallow compared to other books on prayer..."
I can't add much to previous reviews except to say that if you're looking for a solid, detailed instruction on how to pray effectively, this may not be it.
Worst interpretation ever
I read this book years ago.My first impression was, "this seems like a lot to pull from such a small passage."I really felt that there was something wrong with it. A few months later, I read a textbook on Biblical Interpretation, and suddenly I could articulate what bothered me so much about this book.
There needs to be a Zero star rating for books like this
I wonder what Bruce Wilkinson was thinking when he wrote this book. There is no way a top-notch theologian could squeeze 96 pages out of one verse and keep it focused solely on Scripture. Well, Wilkinson wrote that much, but he threw in so many examples from life that it totally took away the meaning of the verse.
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Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Meditations - Old Testament    3. Bible Commentary    4. Bible.    5. Christianity    6. Chronicles, 1st, IV, 10    7. Devotional    8. General    9. History and criticism    10. O.T    11. O.T.    12. Prayer    13. Prayers    14. Religion    15. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    16. Spiritual    17. Worship    18. CHRISTIAN LIVING / SPIRITUAL GROWTH / PRAYER    19. Christian prayerbooks    20. Christian worship    21. Jabez    22. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (36)

A wonderful translation with interesting notes and preface
It's pricey, it's a hardback, but for a western (or any intellectually curious) mind, this is THE translation to get.I especially like the introductions to the surahs, and the footnoes, which tie in the themes of particular chapters or parables.This is a beautiful gift for anyone who reads the Quran in English.

Good presentation
Muhammad Asad's classic translation of the Qur'an is presented here in a beautiful form similar to that of the 'coffee table Bible' concept. This book is large and heavy! Inside the endpapers are magnificently ornamented and the pages themselves are of high quality glossy stock. At various points within the volume, the editors have inserted large calligraphaic pages of the original Arabic text in full color. In short: this is the best presentation of the Qur'an available.
A non-Muslim review
I recently received this copy of the Qur'an as a gift.And while not a Muslim, I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to study Islam.With verses in English, Arabic, and transliterated; along with notes and references galore, this copy of the Qur'an gives a solid background on Islam and Islamic culture. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Islam - Koran & Sacred Writings    2. Koran    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Islam    6. Religion / Koran    7. Sacred texts   

Reviews (62)

What is hypercolor and tutleback?
I was fairly interested in this Bible but could not find any details on just what Pink, Hypercolor and Turleback was all about.Also that it came with a slipcover but showed this Bible in Blue, Green, and Pink.It would be helpful if an explanation of how it was different, other than in just color and how you could get something other than pink.

Youth need it in their words
I'm a youth pastor in a small church in Rural Ontario Canada, I'm building up a youth group mostly out of un-churched kids from brocken homes. They need the bible in the language they can understand and relate to. One girl came to Christ this past week as she read from her families 40 pound family bible I translated using my message re-mix and she accepted Christ . one response as I read from her was "oh thats what that means?"
response
In response to those who had nothing but nasty to say about this version of the Bible: Any Bible is better than no Bible at all.It's hard for those of us with no trouble reading to understand what it's like for anyone who has problems with it.Even the "easy to read" translations like the NIV or the NLT can be intimidating to people having trouble reading.The Message makes the meaning clear without being overly complicated to read.
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Subjects:  1. Bibles    2. Bibles - Other    3. Religion    4. Biblical concordances & commentaries    5. Language & Linguistics   

Editorial Review

The thesis of Read more

Reviews (111)

This book does not need ANOTHER review but...
Forget all the hub bub, take the book at face value, and you'll find this is a great book with a lot of practical ideas for churches.
A Good Aid to Help Your Church Grow
Whatever you believe about Pastor Warren, in my humble opinion, he has written an excellent book on how to help your church grow.Whether or not you agree with Warren's conservative theology, there is no doubt that what he has practiced at Saddleback Community Church has been very successful in reaching unbelievers for Jesus Christ.
Much better than I expected
Rick Warren is founding pastor of Saddleback Community Church, the fastest-growing Baptist church in American history. This book not only tells their story, but offers a paradigm for how to claim (or reclaim) a purpose for your church. I approached this book very skeptically, expecting to have significant issues with this book because I do have significant issues with Warren's theology. (I am not a fan of Warren's other book, The Purpose-Driven Life.)I was pleasantly surprised to discover a depth to this book that I was not expecting to find.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Christianity - Church Administration - Church Growth    3. Church growth    4. Evangelism    5. Evangelistic work    6. Parish And Church Management    7. Religion    8. Religion - Church Life & Growth    9. Christian Interest    10. Christian spiritual & Church leaders    11. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

Mention the word "grace" and what immediately comes to mind for most of us is a bagpipe wailing the solemn notes of "Amazing Grace." Read more

Reviews (163)

Yancey at his Best
When you can take on as time honored and occasionally time worn topic as grace -- and make it sing with fresh insight -- you've accomplished something.Yancey does exactly that.He revisits the overused language of 'Amazing Grace' and freshens it up with his typically honest and forthright manner.
Outstanding
I have enjoyed other Yancey books, but this one is the best I have read so far.This book should be read by every human being on the planet.He points out the irony of forgiveness and how many of us refuse to forgive yet our salvation is only possible because of forgiveness.This is an inspiring book and really put things into perspective for me.

A book for the ages
One of the best books I've ever read.It's needed in today's day and time to counteract performance-oriented thinking.Grace is Amazing, Undeserved, and Free, and Yancey explains it all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Christianity - Theology - Soteriology    3. Religion    4. Religion - Christian Life    5. CHRISTIAN LIVING SPIRITUAL GROWTH SPIRITUAL FORMATION    6. Christian life & practice    7. Christian theology    8. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

Is there such thing as a Western Taoist? Benjamin Hoff says there is, and this Taoist's favorite food is honey. Through brilliant and witty dialogue with the beloved Pooh-bear and his companions, the author of this smash bestseller explains with ease and aplomb that rather than being a distant and mysterious concept, Taoism is as near and practical to us as our morning breakfast bowl. Romp through the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh while soaking up invaluable lessons on simplicity and natural living. ... Read more

Reviews (187)

What An Awesome Book
I love this book. It isn't dogmatic and it doesn't so much alter one's thinking as it does challenge someone to pay attention to the nature of individual perception. Perception is not as it's claimed"everything" but it does go a long way toward shaping how a person views the world, and Pooh is simply a master of life. What else can you say?

Tao of Pooh is simple and easy to understand
I read this book in high school as part of epistemology course. It is very easy to understand the basic principles of taoism through the ideas of pooh and his friends. I suggest this book for all philospohy students.

Those who "mis-understand"
For those of you who are curious about this book and may be turned off by some of the "negative" comments, allow me to offer my humble opinion. I think that those people who did not like this book or felt it did not explain taoism, just really don't get the point. Taoism most certainly isn't something you seek and seek and then get frustrated at not finding, then angry, and then seek and seek. Taoism seen especially through Pooh's eyes and actions (or should I say "inactions") comes so near the mark to beginning to understand this ancient philosophy of harmonious existence on earth with the earth, and the duality of all things. I highly recommend this book for that open minded, non-judgemental, person open to the concept that indeed anything is possible...too many of us are so grounded in what we "absolutely know to be fact", when in reality anything in this universe is truly possible. Please explore this book on your path. I also highly recommend the companion book to this, The Te of Piglet, which delves ever more into taoism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Alan Alexander),    2. 1882-1956    3. 20th century    4. Books and reading    5. Characters    6. Children    7. Children's stories, English    8. Eastern - Taoism    9. General    10. Great Britain    11. History    12. History and criticism    13. Milne, A. A    14. Philosophy    15. Winnie the Pooh    16. Winnie-the-Pooh (Fictitious character)    17. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -    18. Philosophy / Taoism    19. Religion    20. Taoism   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (4)

Emotional Health--A Long Time ComingFor The Body of Christ
I'm reading Emotionally Healthy Spiritualityfor the second time.This book aligns with my spiritual belief, as well as my personal belief system, that emotional health should be--no, must be--integrated into the body of Christ so to promote true spiritual maturity.The book, as some people may believe, is not saying that we should live or be driven by our emotions, but to address them.Avoidance is a curse to emotional health.Given my past experience, I wholeheartedly believe that emotional health is one of the major keys to spiritual growth.However, Peter Scazzero is the first pastor that I know of who has articulated the issue--and well!
This will change your life if you let it!
I have read few books that caused me to stop - make time to re-read, weep, journal and pray about the impact they were having on my life. This book is THAT powerful. It is deeply personal, both from the author's point of view and to where it takes you, the reader. The stories shared vividly illustrate Scazzero's points and I have never seen the relationship between emotional maturity and spirituality so deftly woven together. Great find!

Another step toward Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality builds upon Pastor Scazzero's previous book - The Emotionally Healthy Church. Although there is some repetition in the beginning part of this book, Mr. Scazzero further develops the 6 principlesoutlined from his first book using more personal examples and revealing a fresh passion to effectively help the reader move from theory to a changed life. I agree with the author - what good is it to provide more information, or even preaching material (that is all some Pastors will see) if the result is not a changed/transformed life? Only time, and responses from those who read this work will tell if the author's intention was fulfilled.
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Subjects:  1. Christian Life    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Faith    4. Religion    5. Religion - Christian Life    6. Religious addiction    7. Spiritual formation    8. Spirituality    9. Spirituality - General    10. Christian Living/Spiritual Growth/General    11. Religion / Christian Life    12. Religion / Spirituality    13. Religious Orientation/Christian    14. Theometrics/Evangelical   

Reviews (13)

Catholics Beware
After having spent several weeks last year reading Macarthur's Twelve Ordinary Men with a study group, we all looked forward to this follow-up book. Too bad we didn't leave well enough alone. First of all, this book is extremely degrading to women. Do not read this book unless you are either a man with Archie Bunker-like views on women or you are a woman who enjoys Archie Bunker-like men.Secondly, this book lacks a sense of serious scholarship. It is all Macarthur's opinions, presented to the reader as fact.I found it arrogant and offensive.The entire book group hated this book. Also, do not read this book if you are Catholic.The chapter on Mary is loaded with anti-Catholic sentiment.He uses the example of the grilled cheese sandwich with an image of Mary being sold on the internet to insinuate that Catholics are superstitious idiots. He has the audacity to insult John Paul II, and calls the devotion to Mary "a cult." I found his lack of scholarship particuliarly irritating.For example he says "It is almost certain that in the process of writing his gospel, Luke sought details about Jesus' birth and life from Mary."Wow. It is almost certain?...Much better choices in this category would be "Sarah Laughed" by Vanessa Ochs and "The Women Who Danced by the Sea" by Marsha Mirken.

Excellent tool for Christian women
Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur is a strongly written book detailing the lives and legacies of twelve women of the Bible.I read this book as part of my nightly devotional time, and I truly enjoyed the time with the book.Each woman presented (from Eve to Lydia) is a powerful example of how God works in our lives and what he can do with us.While Abraham's patience is a given, I had never considered how patient Sarah had to be, waiting for twenty years for her promised son.Hannah is the model of the perfect mother, waiting for a son and loving her husband.MacArthur discusses in several sections the poisonous effects of polygamy on relationships as well.He doesn't hide his opinion of the Catholic worship of Mary, mother of Jesus, either.But his personal thoughts are always given with love and a great deal of attention to history.I learned an enormous amount from this book that I will take with me day to day from waiting on the Lord to being a better mother and wife, this book is an excellent tool for Christian women (and men!).

Twelve Extraordinary Women
This is a fascinating account of the lives of some of the more prominent women in Scripture. Unfolding the verses that tell their stories, MacArthur does a phenomenal job illuminating what is most interesting and inspiring about these women. The twelve he chose include: Eve, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary (the mother of Jesus), Anna, the Samaritan woman, Martha and Mary (sisters of Lazarus), Mary Magdalene, and Lydia. I used to think that back in Bible times women were degraded and reduced to a lower status than men. But MacArthur explains well that Scripture never puts women on a secondary level, discounts their importance or gifts, but speaks of them in honor and commends the faithfulness of them who follow the Lord.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Biography - General    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Biography    4. Christian women    5. Christianity - Christian Life - General    6. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    7. Meditations    8. Religion    9. Religion - Biblical Studies    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Religious life    12. Women in the Bible    13. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (14)

An excellent resource
I read this book some years ago. I had been a Christian 6 years at that time, but its contents were earth-shattering. It woke me up to some of the basic truths of the application of Jesus Christ and His word in my life. It opened my eyes to lies I had believed that had literally tormented me for some years. It helped lay a very strong foundation of self-worth and of freedom, and as I now serve God in full time ministry I still draw on the truths that were so powerfully imprinted on my soul through reading the book. Like Billy Graham, I believe every Christian should read this book.

The Search for Significance
This book identifies some deep insight into your personal self worth.I certainly would recommend it for anyone that is on their journey as a Christ seeker.

Listen to Billy Graham...
This book is life changing.Well, it is more of an in-depth Bible study.It is excellent and has given me and my husband the proper foundation for our significance.That foundation is in God and not in what we can do for each other.I believe that it saved our marriage.My husband and I are helping our friends through this study.I am now doing it for the fifth time and my husband is doing it for his third time.That is how much it has affected our lives.Anyone who believes in God but finds that the relationship is not what it should be should read this book and do the workbook that is in the back. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Inspirational - Protestant Self Help    3. Religion    4. Religion - Christian Life    5. Christian Living    6. General    7. Practical Life    8. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

"Long before we do anything explicitly religious at all, we have to do something about the fire that burns within us," writes Ronald Rolheiser. "What we do with that fire, how we channel it, is our spirituality." From the opening chapter, where Rolheiser eloquently compares the burning spiritual fire of Mother Teresa, Janice Joplin, and Princess Diana, readers will be fully engaged in a unique and altogether fascinating discussion of Christian spirituality.Read more

Reviews (36)

Astounding
Simply astounding work. If you're a baby-boomer Catholic, you know how it felt to be caught between the fifteenth and twentieth centuries when Vatican II changed the face of the Church.Ron Rolheiser was certainly one such person. The Holy Longing bridges the gap between the old and new Church. He describes in modern thought and language a wonderful way to be a spiritual "adult," and the role of community in the growth of that spirituality. I think the essence of the book come from these two quotes:
Spirituality at its best
A must read for anyone on the journey for spiritual enlightenment.Ron helps one to define ones journey in simple terms that everyone can relate to.

The Holy Longing: The Search for A Christian Spirituality
This is a challenging book . Rolheiser poses a lot of questions that most of us have but don't want to ask . He doesn't just supply pat answers , but makes us work to arrive at answers for ourselves . Every priest , pastor and minister should read this one . ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Catholic Church    2. Christian Life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Inspirational - Catholic    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Spirituality    8. Spirituality - General    9. Christian spirituality    10. Religion / Catholicism   

Reviews (3)

accurate - not always
The point when using any reference book is to expand on understanding and to get the true sense of the subject under study.This "Strongest" Strong's concordance falls short of this, as it apparently uses personal bias in its definitions (and comments), i.e. cross - 'stauros - cross, cross'. Research is for accurate knowledge. I was very disappointed.

Only Concordance Needed!
If you are a fan of the NIV Bible then this is the best book to have along with it.This exhaustive concordance has everything you need to study the words in the NIV bible.It includes the Hebrew and Greek dictionaries.This is a must have book for your bible study needs!

Worth the price if you use NIV translation.
The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek dictionaries are done very well, compared to the old Strong's Concordance I have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aramaic language    2. Bible    3. Bible - Reference - Concordances    4. Bibles - New International    5. Concordances, English    6. Dictionaries    7. English    8. Greek language, Biblical    9. Hebrew language    10. New International    11. Reference    12. Religion    13. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    14. Biblical concordances & commentaries    15. Christian Interest    16. Religion / Reference   

Editorial Review

For most writers, the greatest challenge of spiritual writing is to keep it grounded in concrete language. The temptation is to wander off into the clouds of ethereal epiphanies, only to lose readers with woo-woo thinking and sacred-laced clichés. Thankfully, Anne Lamott (Read more

Reviews (287)

Come as you are
Anne Lamott's Some Thoughts on Faith is delicious nonfiction. It's at once irreverent, reverent, poetic, rusty, sad and joyous. Anne starts by sharing her experiences with religion in childhood and then how she finally found a home in religion. But she is never preachy. She's at once religious yet more real than any religious person you've ever met, sharing her ups and downs in life, her struggles with various issues like alcoholism, bulimia, drug abuse, and, less seriously, her jiggly thighs and buttocks that she refers to lovingly as her "aunties." Her descriptions were like poetry in so many places as she describes the people she's met in her travels. Take this, for example:
An Honest Faith.
Let's be completely honest for a moment.Life is hard.Sometimes it can be incredibly hard.Bad things happen to good people and this happens quite often.We live in a fallen and sinful world.Contrary to the "Gospel of Prosperity" (aka greed) that seems popular in many places (and promoted by preachers such as Joel Osteen), you can sacrifice everything and still have nothing to show for it in this world.In fact, as followers of Jesus we have been promised "trials and tribulations".Yet, as followers of Jesus we have hope, joy, love, and peace.We have everything that the world (and what we ourselves) seek.It's not easy to not give into the despair and disillusions around us.We can get caught up in existing instead of living just as easily as anyone else.But, we can truly live and live a life abundant.It is a struggle, but it can be done.
We kill tree's to make books like this?
I wish I could have given this turkey zero stars. I tried very hard to connect with this train wreck of a book but I just couldn't. If this junk makes for good book fodder then I stand a pretty decent chance of becoming an author someday. I desperately tried to search for some kind of redeeming value in this book but I guess I just didn't get it. I'm not sure why this is a best selling "Christian" book either. It was this best seller status that led me to give it a read. Don't do what I did. Give this one a pass. She kept swearing and cursing, taking Gods name in vain, kept referring to God as a female, she stated that she prefers women pastors to men pastors, perhaps worst of all, had an abortion (almost got a second abortion) and prefers to have no father figure in her sons life. (It's pretty safe to say she doesn't like men, except for when she's getting knocked up of course...). So much for traditional American/Christian values. I don't see how this is considered a good "faith" story. It's a good thing I just checked this out from the library, I would have felt more than just alittle slighted had I bought it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Christian biography    6. Literary    7. Mothers and sons    8. Religion    9. Religious    10. United States    11. Women    12. Women novelists, American    13. Religion / General    14. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (7)

Greek Flash Cards Helpful
I have been amazed at how helpful Mounce's Greek flash cards have been.Actually, this is my second set of cards because I previously used the cards that came with Parson's Greek Tutor software.In fact, the usefulness of the Parson's cards led me to buy Mounce's much larger set.
Basics of Bib Greek Vocab Cards
Very useful for learning vocabulary.They contain all the words in Mounce's text, and more.They have chapter references which are useful.It's broken down such that the more common words are listed first (in numerical order).Nice large font. The cards are a little small (the size of a business card).It would be useful if they had a key on each card that indicated the part of speech (noun, verb, adverb, etc.).It also might be useful to have them grouped with a ring.

A Must Have
If you are using the Mounce textbook for Basic Greek, these cards are a must!They are in the order of the chapters of the book, and they have all the information you need to learn the vocabulary easily and quickly.I carry them around with me on a ring clasp, and they are great!I highly recommend them! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Language Studies    2. Bibles - Greek    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Religion    5. Religion - Biblical Studies - Language    6. Ancient (Classical) Greek    7. Christian Interest    8. Grammar, syntax, linguistic structure    9. Religion / Christian Life   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Bible Study Guide    3. Biblical teaching    4. Christian Life    5. Christianity    6. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    7. Christianity - Christian Life - General    8. Inspirational    9. Inspirational - General    10. Problem solving    11. Religion    12. Religion - Christian Life    13. Religious aspects    14. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    15. Christian Interest    16. Christian life & practice    17. Religion / Inspirational   

Editorial Review

Thich Nhat Hanh's writing is deceptive in its subtlety. He'll go on and on with stories about tree-hugging or metaphors involving raw potatoes; he'll tell you how to eat mindfully, even how to breathe and walk; he'll suggest looking closely at a flower and to see the sun as your heart.As the Zen teacher Richard Baker commented, however, Nhat Hanh is "a cross between a cloud, a snail, and piece of heavy machinery." Sooner or later, it begins to sink in that Nhat Hanh is conveying a depth of psychology and a world outlook that require nothing less than a complete paradigm shift. Through his cute stories and compassionate admonitions, he gradually builds up to his philosophy of interbeing, the notion that none of us Read more

Reviews (64)

Worth Many Hours Of Psychotherapy
In this book, Thich Nhat Hanh goes beyond the differences between Eastern and Western philosophies and guides the reader in a very pragmatic manner towards creating peace.Interpersonal peace, peace in the family and community, world peace, and most importantly, peace within oneself. His words reflect an ancient wisdom which is simple yet so profoundly insightful. In my opinion, his approach to solving emotional suffering and curtailing society's ills dwarfs many theories of modern behavioral and social sciences. This is a work to be read and reread. I also recommendThich Nhat Hanh's "The Miracle of Mindfulness" as a complement to this work.
Forgiveness
From a Vietnamese Monk who has witnessed the transgressions and casulties of war, to forgive and teach the very enemy he tried to enlighten about the war-- I am amazed.He lives the life he teaches- non aggresion, peace, present moments.In his teaching I see him forgive and move on with the task of spreading his word to the world and anyone who will listen.I have become a reader of many of his books and feel like it is a friend talking to me.You can be a drop of water, a wave, but you can also be in the ocean.Thank you Thich Nhat Hanh...

My very favorite book of all time.
Thich Nhat Hanh is my very favorite author and,"Peace Is Every Step" is my very favorite book. Reading him you really get the feeling that a close and caring friend is talking to you. Also, I very much connect with his philosophy of interbeing. His poem, "Please Call Me By My True Names" is easily worth the price of this book in my opinion. There's just so much. When you are finished with this book, you should fully understand the concept of interbeing, and find yourself truly loving everyone and every thing! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - Zen    3. General    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Religious life    6. Body, Mind & Spirit / New Age    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Spirituality   

Reviews (152)

The Translation for Our Times........
Simply the best translation of the Tao Te Ching available. Stephen Mitchell has done us all a great service by bringing this ages old book of wisdom to the modern era.

stephen mitchell presents the tao te ching
The tao te ching is a great book, I'm not giving that a one star review, I'm giving mitchell's interpretation of it one star.As many other reviews have stated, he doesn't speak chinese, so this translation is comprised of his reading other peoples' translations and what he thinks it means.He then tries to modernize it and make it accessible to 21st century americans.I like the old world feel of this book, you don't need to change swords to nuclear warheads, I know what a sword is.At least though, this change makes sense, some chapters Mitchell changes so much, that the entire chapter loses its meaning.A couple chapters made no sense, so I went to the back of the book where he tells what parts he changed, and then I was able to understand exactly what Lao Tzu intended to say.Don't buy this book.

Comments on reviewers
It's funny, people are giving it 1/5 because it isn't a "literal translation." It has to be the exact translated words by someone who is "scholared" for it to be worth reading.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Philosophy    3. Religion    4. Taoism    5. Biography: general    6. Religion / Taoism   

Editorial Review

In 1988, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin undertook amission to heal "Jewish ignorance," an affliction whose symptoms include the ability to name the three components of the Trinity, coupled with an inability to explain