Editorial Review

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Reviews (252)

One of the best you will ever read
This is an easy to read book, which managed to make profound points about life, pain, and fate.I enjoyed reading the first part of the book and learning about what it was like to be in such a hellish place (a concentration camp), and yet still being able to be positive about life.What more can I say than its an excellent book?

I learned: All the Auschwitz survivors, including the author, had something significant yet to do with their lives!
MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING
fascinating!
this is simply a must read for those interested in the human experience.Some of the positions concluded in this book may not be the only way to think on the issues involved, but still, this book is a great psychological workout with deep insights. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Austria    2. Biography    3. General    4. Holocaust    5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    6. Personal narratives    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychologists    9. Psychology    10. Psychology of Religion    11. Philosophy    12. Philosophy / General    13. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory   

Reviews (14)

I TRUST JOYCE MEYER UNSTINTINGLY
"If we speak badly about ourselves, we will feel condemned. Let's actively apply what Jesus taught in the Scripture above to speak positively about ourselves as the first step to overcoming insecurity, and never speak negatively about yourself. Speak words that empower you- not words that weaken you."
Read it twice
This has got to be the best book Joyce has ever written, and I've read just about all of them.They were all good, but this is just incredible.She makes you want to run out and start putting God's way into action as you are reading it. Gave me a fresh start in my Born-Again walk.Thank Jesus for Joyce!!!!

Great Book
Read it and you will be happy that you did. Joyce has written many wonderful books, however, this and Battlefield of the mind are my personal favorites.She has many wonderful CD's available on her website that I also highly recommend. Love yourself and enjoy life! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian Life    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - General    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. Inspirational - Protestant Self Help    7. Peace    8. Psychology Of Religion    9. Religion    10. Religious aspects    11. Religion / Christian Life   

Reviews (7)

Excellent Book - Meme Theory Discredited
Overall, this academic treatise on the evolutionary, anthropological, and psychological roots of religion is excellent. Atran's knowledge is encyclopedic; it deepened my understanding of some of the new frameworks inhabiting evolutionary theories of biological development. But the book has its strengths and weaknesses, as would any that attempts to tackle such a broad topic as religion.
Definitely not a popular science book!
This book has all the information a layperson can ask for, but the wording is unnecessarily complex. I felt like I was reading an extended scientific paper, replete with discussions on the various evolutionary theories in the literature. Perhaps not the best book to use as a primer on the subject (if that is what you seek).

A Timely Contribution
If you are someone with an overwhelming need to understand so-called 'religious' beliefs and associated behaviour, whether one's own or that of others, then Scott Atran's book is for you.
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Subjects:  1. Philosophy    2. Psychology of Religion    3. Religious    4. Philosophy / Religious    5. Philosophy of religion    6. Philosophy | Religion   

Reviews (40)

Religion not explained
I was very disappointed in this book, and not just because it is difficult.I was mainly disappointed because rather than explaining religion, Boyer explained the "transmission" of religious beliefs.He explains the influence of "memes" (cultural archetypes)on people's beliefs, but he doesn't explain why some people reject them and believe something else.

Worth the effort
I would give this book 5 stars for its content, but only 3 for its style.The information contained here is enlightening, thought-provoking, and very rewarding, but it does take an effort to read.
Et L'homme Crea led Dieux -
Does anyone know of an English tranlation of this book? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. General    4. Psychology of Religion    5. Religion    6. Religion (General)    7. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (1)

no serious student of the topic should be without this book
This book is _the_ reference on the topic of the psychology of religion.The reference section itself is worth the price of the book!As a text, it would be more appropriate to a graduate level than an undergraduate level class, but then few schools offer a class on the subject at all.However, anyone interested in pursuing this topic would do well to have a copy of this book on their shelf, preferably within reach at all times. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Psychology    3. Psychology of Religion    4. Psychology, Religious    5. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    7. Religion & Beliefs   

Reviews (2)

Well-written and compelling, although with obvious biases
Andrew Newberg, professor of Radiology and Psychiatry, has written (along with Mark Robert Waldman) a sequel to his book, Why God Won't Go Away. The new book has strengths and weaknesses, but, should be of some interest to those who have an interest in spiritual matters and human behavior. The book is primarily written to address the question of how the brain works so that we arrive at what we believe to be true. The authors write from a spiritual perspective, but take numerous jabs at Christians and Christianity throughout the book. In contrast, New Age and Far Eastern religions seem to receive little or no criticism (co-author, Mr. Waldman seems to be into New Age type spirituality), and are actually endorsed. Likewise, atheists may not be entirely comfortable with the content, since it clearly challenges their cherished belief that that have no beliefs.
An Astonishing Book
This fascinating book examines how human beings construct their beliefs about everything:how we map the realities of the world, build moral and political beliefs, and develop religious and spiritual beliefs about the universe. The authors base their premises on neurobiological research and then they integrate their findings with contemporary psychology and sociology without ever becoming overly technical, a difficult feat when it comes to explaining the neurological processes of the brain.
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Brain    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Neuropsychology    5. Physiological Psychology    6. Psychology    7. Psychology Of Religion    8. Psychology, Religious    9. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    10. Religious aspects    11. Science    12. Science / Biology   

Reviews (32)

something for everyone
Review of How Good Do We Have To Be: A New Understanding of Guilt and Forgiveness by Harold S. Kushner. Little, Brown, & Company, 1996. Hardcover.
Interesting Perspective
Rabbi Kushner is a very thoughtful man with a great ability to bring religious insight to the average person. I think this book is excelllent for anyone, regardless of one's religious background.

Compassion As Motivation
Ever read the Bible and wonder what was going through Abraham's mind when he put his son on the altar?Well, after reading this book I've been looking at Abraham in a differnt light.I've also found a renewed interest in the Old Testament and Ingmar Bergman's "Winter Light." If you're wondering what one has to do with the other, pick up this book.Kushner will have you looking at things differently and thinking about everything.It is surprisingly easy to read yet loaded with words of wisdom.Usually found in the self-help section, this inspirational work will help you through pangs of guilt and inspire you to forgive and forget. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eden    2. Good and evil    3. Inspirational    4. Inspirational - General    5. Judaism - General    6. Psychology of Religion    7. Religion    8. Religious aspects    9. Self-Help    10. Self-esteem    11. Popular psychology    12. Religion / Psychology of Religion    13. Theology   

Editorial Review

"To deny a people the man whom it praises as the greatest of its sons is not a deed to be undertaken lightheartedly--especially by one belonging to that people," writes Sigmund Freud, as he prepares to pull the carpet out from under The Great Lawgiver in Read more

Reviews (16)

let my people go - all of them
Reading through the many wonderful reviews here, one gets the picture of what it is with this book: love it or hate it, believer or skeptic, even telling people the gist of the thesis and the story (the book is magnificently both), this work never fails to evoke a strong reaction.Look at the reviews.What is evident is that the book is truly provocative -rare for any book - no less a slight, speculative work of less than 200 pages, written somewhere in the middle of the twentieth century.Who would really care?But as you can see from this representative sample, people do.
Freud's Last Act
Freud's Last Act
Kemet-Moses & Akhenatens religion
Kemet-Moses: Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - Old Testament    2. Egyptian    3. General    4. Judaism    5. Monotheism    6. Psychology    7. Psychology of Religion    8. Psychology, Religious    9. Relations    10. Religion    11. Religion / Psychology of Religion    12. Religion: general   

Reviews (2)

Essential reading to separate fiction from fact
The research in this book essential for understanding the complexity of religious beliefs and practices. For years, I have objected to the ways that many fine authors have portrayed religious activity in America; if writers like Dawkins, Harris, and others had accessed this book, they might find that not only are most religious practices benign, but they would also discover that America is far more secular than many people suspect. For example, in the child development chapters, I discovered that teens are far more skeptical of their parent's religion than I would have thought. I was also intrigued to discover that some young children, even when raised in anti-religious families, still maintained their belief in God. There are even some independent youngsters who will stand by their belief in the reality of the Easter Bunny, even when presented with evidence to the contrary!
Finest Review of Research of These Subjects in 20 Years
Paloutzian and Park have gathered an excellent group of scholars to make contributions to this book. The articles in the field review the research conducted in this field from before Starbuck (1899) and James (1902) to 2004. Each article not only reviews the literature but makes major contributions to the issue it discusses such as Paloutzian's article on conversion and Alemeyer and Hunsberger on fundamentalism and authoritarian.
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Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Psychology of Religion    3. Psychology, Religious    4. Social Psychology    5. Spirituality    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology   

Reviews (13)

Incredible Book
Stephen Levine is a master when it comes to simply describing mindfulness and conscious living.This book should be read by everyone who expects to die and who truly desires to live.The truth permeates the pages of this masterpiece.Highly recommended.

Getting your heart open in the face of death
Steven Levine, formerly director of the Hanuman Foundation's Dying Project, and his wife, Ondrea Levine, have been counseling the dying for over 30 years. In this book they explore the question: "What is the difference when the dying person and those around him have their hearts wide open?"

Outstanding reading !!!
Death is an uncomfortable and frightening topic to most people. Levine's book "Who Dies ?" will put an end to this fear and will help you confront death and make peace with it. Life and death are one. Fear of dying is only a reflection of the fear of living. Death is not some external Ogre that we must conquer and defeat. We must embrace death to enjoy and appreciate life. This book will guide you toward this gentle and final embrace.
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Subjects:  1. Death    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. General    4. Psychology    5. Psychology of Religion    6. Religion    7. Coping with death & bereavement    8. Religion / Psychology of Religion   

Editorial Review

Establishing and understanding boundaries are crucial to the success of a marriage, according to authors Cloud and Townsend, who cowrote the award-winning and biblically-based book Read more

Reviews (12)

Great
As one who is currently struggling in marriage, attending therapy, attempting to learn my boundaries and have others respect them, this is an excellent book.I am also a Christian, and although I don't crack open the bible to review each passage mentioned, it doesn't bother me that they refer to it either.

New age psychology
The concept of forming boundaries between spouses is contrdictory to forming unity in a marriage. From a biblical perspective, boundaries are inconsistent with forming "one flesh" (Mt 19: 5-6). Practically, one spouse actively attempting to change the other is contrary to a fulfulling relationship. While the authors "say" (Ch 3 I think) that they agree with this, their techniques reflect spousal manipulation (one spouse should take away the other's credit card, one spouse should refuse to provide meals, etc.).
A Very Useful Book, But You May Still Need a Pro
A Very Useful Book, But You May Still Need a ProRead more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Marriage    3. Marriage    4. Married people    5. Psychology    6. Psychology of Religion    7. Religion    8. Religion - Marriage & Family    9. Religious aspects    10. CHRISTIAN LIVING RELATIONSHIPS LOVE & MARRIAGE    11. Marriage & relationships    12. Religion / Psychology of Religion   

Reviews (2)

Tales of great courage and compassion
I read this book on many airplane trips back and forth from Berkeley, where I was running a small business, to Sante Fe, where my brother was dying much too young of pancreatic cancer. magnificent, healing, one-of-a-kind; shows what is possible
Stephen Levine was for several years the Director of the Hanuman Foundation Death and Dying Project (wording may not be exactly right). In this capacity, he and his wife, Ondrea, kept their home telephone open 24 hours a day, as a "hotline" for people in catastrophic situations involving death, dying, and extreme grief.The transcripts printed out in this book are nothing short of amazing.They show what is possible, when one's mind has been stilled by meditation (or for an "old soul" like Stephen, but that place is there somewhere in each of us), and one's heart is receptive and in a place of love.Many of us feel embarrassed of frightened by death. Stephen shows that honest, loving acknowledgement of the person's situation is a prerequisite before healing (of attitudes, mainly..physical healing may or may *not* follow, the Levines say) can happen.He goes straight to the heart of callers' situations, including those of a parent whose child was recently murdered, another parent whose child was washed away at sea and the body never found, and of many people who themselves are approaching death.He has the courage to be direct, and the compassion to be gentle (the ability to give a little "tougher love", too, when needed, always appropriate to the person's strength and capacity).And AMAZING transformations follow. Stephen is able to give people a space for their emotions, that they were often not previously able to give themselves.The book shows that it is possible to have a spiritual presence that is "contagious"..that is, that others can derive strength from, and use as a starting point to accept their own situations.Seeing that such usefulness is possible for one human being to develop in himself,any even "moderately caring soul" who reads MEETINGS AT THE EDGE will keep Stephen's example at least in the back of his/her mind until he/she has become able to actualize such compassion and service in his/her own life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Death / Grief / Consolation    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Philosophy    4. Psychology of Religion    5. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (5)

THELAST SPIRITUAL TESTAMENT OF A VERY WISE MAN
Gerald May, well known author of Addiction and Grace, was dying as he wrote this book.He leaves it to us as a last testament of the wisdom he gained not from his teachers, peers or patients, but from the wilderness within him and without.Recounting expeditions into nature over a five-year period, he shares with us what he experienced in the woods and on the water, how nature's lessons healed him finally at a deep level of his being, and how they might also heal us.He and we are one with that nature, not separate from it, whether to tame or destroy or protect.Nature herself heals the rift that can arise between her and us, and led him to accept its force within himself -- even fear, imperfection and dying -- exactly for what it is.May acquires a Zen-like openness to all things, an appreciation and acceptance of all things just as they are, a delight in and gratitude for all things, and of the force and power behind them. "Love," he writes, "is the pervading passion of all things that draws diversity into oneness, that knows and pleads for union, that aches for goodness and beauty, that suffers loss and destruction....Love is the energy that fuels, fills, and embraces everything everywhere.And there is no end to it, ever."His insights are many: great and small, clear and subtle, well-known to solitary venturers into the wild and strikingly origianl with him.His perception into his own deep feeling is acute and his writing is exquisite.This book is a gift for us all, a special gift for those who appreciate nature or have, like May, spent time alone in it.
Seeing into Yourself through experiencing Nature
In "The Wisdom of Wilderness", Dr. Gerald May, a practicing psychiatrist and avid outdoor enthusiast, engagingly shares insightful stories of how he learned about himself through his experiences in nature.While we live in hectic worlds with little time for conscious reflection, Dr. May encourages us to learn about ourselves through thoughtful consideration of our everyday experiences.
Gerald May truely inspires
This book by Gerald May is amazingly powerful and inspirational.His revelations of personal feelings, thoughts and experiences are so well detailed, that the pages jump to life.This is a must read for anyone searching for a peaceful heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Mental Health    4. Mental Health And Hygiene    5. Mental healing    6. Nature, Healing power of    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Psychology of Religion    9. Psychotherapy - General    10. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    11. Spiritual    12. Spiritual Healing    13. Spirituality    14. Spirituality - General    15. Religion / Spirituality   

Editorial Review

At a time when the fate of the world seems increasingly uncertain, Read more

Reviews (22)

Awakening to Translucence
"Iago is the dominant trance state of our planet. It influences our relationships, our sexuality, our parenting, and our attempts to relax. It permeates corporate business, international politics, and our economic system." ~Arjuna Ardagh
Way too long...
I like the main premise of the book - nowadays, many people are experiencing different levels of "liberation", either spontaneously or through practice. They are translucent, meaning they are not opaque anymore. However, this is only a first step in a long process on the path. How are they different now, in what new ways are they interacting with the world?
Amazing Compedium of Advanced Wisdom
Ardagh has done us a great service in bringing together the wisdom of many of the people whose ideas will rule the world in this century, if we have any future at all. One star withheld for the difficulty of the typefaces used, both of which bid fair to send you blind in any light less than optimal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Consciousness    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. New Age    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Personal Growth - Happiness    8. Psychology Of Religion    9. Religious aspects    10. Self-actualization (Psychology    11. Self-actualization (Psychology)    12. Social service    13. Spiritual life    14. Spiritualism - General    15. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    16. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques