Reviews (6)

A GIFT FROM THE GODDESS
This is a remarkable book.Well-thought out, inspirational and well-researched.The stories of the author, her "soul sisters" and figures from her-story are clean and clear and relevant.The exercises are simple and thought provoking.A wonderful gift to re-ignite the feminist spirit in any woman and to compliment traditional and non-traditional religious paths!Get one for all your soul sisters and form a circle as suggested-I sense it will focus your life and change the face of women in the world!

Test submission, please remove
From HMD: Test submission, please remove

A Spiritual and Creative Awakening
In August, I found myself creatively blocked.At the time, I was unable to move forward on four projects due in November.One day, my frustration level hit the roof. I could not see past the list of things to do and the shrinking timeline.I questioned whether I had the courage and faith to serve as a vessel for each project's creative expression.I left my day job in a daze.As I walked up Massachusetts Avenue, Spirit guided me to Kramer's Books on Dupont Circle.I wasn't sure what I would find, but my soul knew there was something wonderful waiting for me on Kramer's bookshelf.Within twenty minutes of perusing the women's book section, my eyes fell upon Pythia's book. I opened it and read the introduction.One passage captured my attention:"Indeed, the gift of the women's liberation movement has been to show that the talents of women do not just shine in marriage and in child-raising, but in all spheres of life, from politics and sports to art, science, religion, journalism, medicine, and business.Thus, in the last decades of the twentieth century, women's wide ranging creativity has flourished as never before.This historic watershed has opened up endless vistas of possibility for women, allowing them an unprecedented opportunity to experience precious freedoms so long enjoyed by men."Pythia's words described the essence of who I was as a child born in the sixties ... a beneficiary of the women's liberation movement.She reminded me that my creative projects were a blessing despite the temporary appearance of any blocks.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. Femininity of God    3. Goddess religion    4. History    5. Inspirational    6. Inspirational - General    7. Religion    8. Religious life    9. Spirituality - Women's    10. Women    11. Women and religion    12. Zoroastrianism    13. Religion / History   

Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Zoroastrianism   

Reviews (1)

Great Biographical and Literary Study
Zen master Eihei Dogen (1200-1253)has been widely acclaimed as Japan's finest religious writer.This is a major biographical study, cutting through the traditional hagiography that has clouded standard accounts of Dogen's life and writings.Heine does much to illuminate the rich and sometimes subtle contours of Dogen's intellectual and social context and the evolution of his mind.He also brings English-speaking readers up to date on the complexities of recent Japanese historical-critical scholarship on this pivotal figure in the Zen tradition.Dogen was a brilliant bridge builder who adapted the Chinese Ch'an Buddhist traditions to Japan to create what we now know as Zen.Heine highlights Dogen's many-sided literary genius, as well as the many-sided ways Dogen appealed to China as a way to craft his unique vision of Buddhist life.Lucid and insightful at a variety of levels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1163-1228    2. 1200-1253    3. Buddhism - History    4. Buddhism - Zen    5. DÃ¥ogen,    6. Eastern - Zen    7. Philosophy    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Rujingchanshi,    11. Zoroastrianism    12. Religion & Theology | Buddhism    13. Religion / Zoroastrianism   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    2. Church group work    3. Institutions & Organizations    4. Lay ministry    5. Pastoral Care And Counseling    6. Religion    7. Religion - Church Life & Growth    8. Small groups    9. Zoroastrianism   

Reviews (1)

Help for our leadership team
The leadership team of our local youth outreach has been looking for a good book to work on team Bible studies. We've just begun it, but it lookslike it's going to work out well... it has lots of space for notes... it'ssimple and easy to understand, but it has a lot of good informationcovered. Lots of pictures and diagrams. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - General    2. Christianity - Discipleship    3. Christianity - Evangelism - Personal Witnessing    4. Religion    5. Religion - Biblical Studies    6. Zoroastrianism   

Reviews (21)

Rather Clear Historical viewpoint
Kriwaczek's research answers quite a few questions that I have always had about Zarathustra that saves rather tedious amounts of time researching for myself.This book may not be everyone's answer to everything, though.It is a rather sober perspective on Zarathustra's origins.
Chatty, erudite and kaleidoscopic
Kriwaczek tells us that he has been fascinated by Zarathustra (or Zoroaster) since his school days, when his English teacher introduced the class to Nietzsche, and this pupil, "naturally enough ... went to the school library to find out what he had written", and found Thus Spake Zarathustra.Kriwaczek's book now purports to be a search for this elusive character, working backwards in time from Nietzsche.This quest would, as an adult (and at times as a television journalist), involve him in travelling all over the Middle East, Iran and Central Asia. The result is this vividly written account of his physical journeys in these lands, peppered with historical disquisitions, written with equal vividness, but whose origins, I suspect, had come from some decent libraries and guide books before he set out.In any case this is not the easiest way to convey a clear picture of the subject, and the problem is aggravated by two other features: the first is a helter-skelter backwards and forwards in time and in space.So, for example we travel within a few pages of one chapter from Carcassonne in France (p.74) to Derbent on the Caspian (p.75); a page later we are on the Trans-Siberian railway (p.76); on p.77 we are with the 13th century Tartars and on p.79 with 5th century BC Sarmatians!
One of the best non-fiction books I've read in a long time
This book is written by a lay man for lay people, which means whether or not you already know anything about Zoroastrianism or the Persian empire, you can enjoy this book just as much as the next person, although more scholastic knowledge might actually enhance your enjoyment of this book. This book is a good, fun read, written by a fine author who imbues it with his sense of fascination for the past and his love of learning about different cultures. That alone makes it worth reading because you also will learn about the past and present and different cultures from a book which is written in a fast, easy style. Still, I think the best feature is the admirable way in which the author demonstrates a link between a religion that is over 3000 years old and the religions of today. In the end, whether you believe his arguments or not, you will have learned something that will change your outlook on religion. Few books have that kind of impact, and I highly suggest you avail yourself of the opportunity to learn something. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Influence    4. Middle East - General    5. Religion - World Religions    6. Zoroaster    7. Zoroastrianism    8. History / Middle East   

Reviews (4)

True message of Zoroaster vs. Traditional Zoroastrianism
If you are interested in the pure message of Zoroaster, this and many other interpretations of the religion are misleading.
Finally some good primary sources
This book is a real gem as is the whole series.Series editor John Hinnels, himself an expert on Zoroastrianism he wrote Zorastrians in Britain, has done a good job of getting many experts to put together the most important sources on the world religions.In this one Mary Boyce, the authority on Zoroastrianism and Professor emeritus at the University of London gives us some basic sources.Anyone studying Zoroastrianism knows that new editions of the primary sources dont come out very often.This book contains only selections of the Avesta, Vendidad and other works unfortunately.However, it does contain many other sources including works from Herodutos, Strabo and my personal favorite a newspaper report of the new Atash Bahram in Bombay dated 1897. This is essential for anyone with an interest in the subject.

Excellent Literary Excavation, Dubious Date
If you're interested in Zoroaster and the religion that came to bear his name, this book is essential reading. In it, Mary Boyce extracts and organizes texts from the now-(I gather)-degenerate form the Avesta has taken in the centuries since the religion became marginalized by Muslim conquest, into a comprehensible, rational sequence covering the the entire history of the religion. The translations are clear. The only caveat I have is her justification of a late Bronze Age date for the time of Zoroaster's life. Other than the archaic language of the Gathas and the simplicity of the society presupposed in the text, she offers no evidence, archaeological or otherwise, for the preservation, transmission, and flowering, in the later Persian empire, of Zoroaster's singular viewpoint. She requires a huge leap of faith the reasonable reader shouldn't have to make. For this reason, William Malandra's "Introduction to Ancient Iranian Religion" is a valuable companion and counterpoint. When reading about archaic language and viewpoints, it's good to keep in mind our own experience with King James English and pastoral religious imagery, in a society where most people speak modern English and have no direct experience shepherds or sheep, except in movies and old-fashioned books! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Religion    3. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    4. Shintoism    5. Zoroastrianism    6. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    7. Religion / Zoroastrianism   

Reviews (1)

From experience, with passion
An only child is burdened with an unfair amount of attention and expectation, and so it is with Farhang Mehr's ZOROASTRIAN TRADITION which is the only introduction in print, in English, by a native Zoroastrian, to contemporary Zoroastrian belief. Even without alternative perspectives Prof. Mehr's book is outstanding. It takes a moderate position between reactionary and revolutionary interpretations of Zoroastrianism at the same time as it presents its own vision of an ethical and mystical religion which is not only alive and well but growing in numbers and influence.
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Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Religion - World Religions    3. Zoroaster    4. Zoroastrianism    5. History    6. Religion & Beliefs   

Reviews (1)

How does the Spirit GO?
This book is a beautiful meditation, or perhaps a collection ofmeditations, on the experience of Divine initiative and human response ingenuine relationship.Fr. Shea speaks eloquently and simply, yet his wordsand stories are a source of complex reflection and challenge, calling fordeep reflection on the encounter with Spirit in our traditions and in ourlives.As with his other works, Fr. Shea centers his reflections in thestories of Jesus.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life    3. Inspirational - Catholic    4. Jesus Christ    5. Love    6. Person and offices    7. Religion    8. Religion - Classic Works    9. Religious aspects    10. Spiritual life    11. Spirituality    12. Zoroastrianism   

Reviews (4)

At home with the Zoroastrians
This is a big book of street and interior photography in Bombay, India.(The author spells the city thus, rather than the official Mumbai.)The focus is on the religious minority the Parsis, who honor the ancient prophet Zoroaster or Zarathustra.Zoroaster was from somewhere in eastern Iran, as best as anyone can tell, and the Parsis in this book indeed look more Persian than they do like their Aryan/Dravidian compatriots, to this admittedly untrained eye.The author approvingly includes a neat quote by Friedrich Nietzsche in the introduction:
Moving!!!
I bought this book on a whim for a friend and it was one of the best decisions. Sooni's photos really capture a culture and moments in time and help narrate a wonderful experience of sorts. Having visited Bombay several times, I was very impressed by the manner in which she shows the Parsi culture through her simple yet poignant photos. I recommend this book highly!
Wonderful
This isn't a book just for Parsis- it's a perfect combination of veritable art and wonderful writing.The Parsi community is one of great diversity, and Sooni Taraporevala's "The Parsis" brings this variety to light in a way that few other publications have successfully managed. Not only does her book stride the cultural spectrum, but it captures each facet beautifully; heart-wrenchingly so, and one can scarcely imagine another picture that could capture the moment more eloquently. The accompanying narratives are also insightful in the extreme and lack the posturing and false grandiosity that riddles so many other publications that try to infuse a sense of pride and wonder in the reader.This is a book that I am bound to use when explaining my heritage and background, not only to non-Parsis, but to future generations of Parsis here in North America.A wonderful book that I'd recommend to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    2. Documentary Photo Collections    3. Parsees    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Portraits    8. Social life and customs    9. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    10. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Asia    11. Zoroastrianism    12. Photography / Travel   

Reviews (8)

The final issue here is theodicy....
This author apparently has never experienced communion with God---call it the Divine or the Infinite---and the historical fact of such communion and its present possibility is wholly absent from this book.
Lot of information, but a little all over the place
This book will probably make more sense to somebody who is already a student of history, particularly Central Asian, & therefore somebody who can, because of her already existent knowledge on the subject, decipher more meaning from the helter skelter approach that Kriwaczek seems to take.
A Good Intro?
Maybe. I've shied away from the subject cause I feared getting mired in academic prose, which is not an issue with this book. Trouble is I am sometimes uneasy with this guy's historical conclusions.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History: World    3. Middle East - General    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Zoroastrianism    6. History / Middle East   

Reviews (3)

This book impressed me with its excellence
This book is nothing short of a tour-de-force! In this fascinating book, Professor Emeriti of Iranian Studies (retired), Dr. Mary Boyce (b. 1920) looks at the beliefs and practices of the Zoroastrian faith, as it has evolved from its beginnings through to the late 1970s. Along the way, the reader is treated to an in-depth understanding of Persian and Iranian history, how it affected Zoroastrianism, and how Zoroastrianism affected Persian and Iranian history.
Just Right!
Goldilocks would like this book.It is perfect for the average reader as far as length, depth, and width of coverage of this topic.Not too deep and not too shallow but just right!In addition to general features of Zoroastianism it also has a large amount of information on ancient Persia as well as particularly strong emphasis on the usually neglected Parthian and Sasanian cultures.The coverage of the Parsis in the Indian subcontinent is also very well done.Highly recommended for the general reader who wants an accessible overall view of Zoroastrianism.

Great Book but the Title is a bit of a misnomer
This is an increcdible book about the history and development of the Zoroastrian religion from ancient times to the present. However, it is not simply an explanation of Beliefs and Practices.If you are unfamiliar with Zoroastrianism I suggest you read Nigosian's book THe Zoroastrian Faith first and then read this one.Boyce's book is the clearest and most well researched work on Zoroastrian religion and is a must for all interested in the relative subject matter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Religion - World Religions    3. Zoroastrianism    4. History of religion    5. Religion / Zoroastrianism   

Reviews (2)

Excellent
An excellent introduction to Zoroastrianism. Anyone interested in comparative religions will love this book.

A Gem of the World's Spiritual Heritage
This is a nice little introduction to one of the world's forgotten religions. There's nothing complex about this little volume of spiritual texts. Basic precepts of Zoroastrian belief are explained and numerousquotations and prayers are given. There are hints of the influence ofZoroastrian belief upon Jewish and Christian thought. Leaving one to wonderwhat the world would be like if the Parsian faith were more widespread. Myonly complaint is that I wish it were more indepth, but have to remember itwas written in 1908 and was probably a rare volume in its day. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Religion - World Religions    3. Zoroastrianism    4. c 1900 - c 1914   

Subjects:  1. Zoroastrianism   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Baccalaureate addresses    3. Christianity - Catholicism    4. College graduates    5. Conduct of life    6. Higher    7. History    8. Indiana    9. Literature - Classics / Criticism    10. Notre Dame    11. Religion    12. Speeches, addresses, etc., Ame    13. Speeches, addresses, etc., American    14. University of Notre Dame    15. Zoroastrianism    16. Other prose: 19th century    17. Other prose: from c 1900 -    18. Universities / polytechnics   

Reviews (6)

Iran
This book answered to some question as followed: The Zoroastrian faith established on pinciple of worshping one God, duality of evil v.s good.
educational
my daughter was writing a research paper on zoroastrianism and this book provided more than enough information to get a 100, thank you

Problem of Style but Worth the Price
Over all a fast easy read about the life & general teachings of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) & his religion's influence on today's monotheistic faiths. S.A. Nigosian goes to great length to get the exact information from many varied sources, which at times either reveals too much information in short paragraphs or causes certain vagueness. For example the dates of Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) are from 6000 BC from some Greek sources to appox. 650-600 BC. Other problem is that I never saw such a fast rendering of the history of ancient Iran in so few pages. At times a short paragraph per King or Kingdom. Maybe a chart or map would of help to clarify this information. In another area S.A. Nigosian uses the baptism rites of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church as an example of the Zoroastrian rite without ever revealing the Zoroastrian rite itself.
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Subjects:  1. Faith    2. Religion    3. Religion - World Religions    4. Zoroastrianism    5. History of religion   

Reviews (4)

Thoughtful
Before reading this book, I could not figure out where all this hell stuff came from and why Christianity took the form that it did. This book is the basics on Zoroaster but the author gives some useful insights as to:
Basic, Concise, mostly accurate
This book is good for the person mildly interested in Zoroastrianism who wants a basic knowledge of the religion and how it relates to the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition.
The Magi and their religion, accurately described.
My highest compliments to the author... this is a balanced and very informative little book!! In "The Magi" Mr. Vincent does an excellent job of dispelling many of the myths that have grown up over the years concerning the nature of the Magi, replacing often popular misconceptions with a more accurate representation of who the Magi really were. At the same time he also provides a very good (but basic) introduction to Zoroastrianism, the religion of the Magi that appears to have significantly influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - General    3. Christianity and other religio    4. Christianity and other religions    5. Comparative Religion    6. Magi    7. Relations    8. Religion    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Zoroastrianism    11. Christianity and other religions--Zoroastrianism    12. Zoroastrianism--Relations--Christianity   

Subjects:  1. Agnosticism    2. Faith    3. Religion    4. Religion - World Religions    5. Zoroastrianism    6. Agnosticism & atheism    7. Religion & Beliefs    8. Religion / Agnosticism   

Subjects:  1. Christian communities    2. Church renewal    3. Institutions & Organizations    4. Missions & Missionary Work    5. Religion    6. Religion - Church Life    7. United States    8. Zoroastrianism   

Subjects:  1. Christian women    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Religion - Christian Living    8. Religious life    9. Young women    10. Zoroastrianism