4 comments about The Voices of Gemma Galgani: The Life and Afterlife of a Modern Saint.

1. Composed of a scholarly discussion of early 20th century Italy, diary entries/transcripts of the ecstatic prayer a young Tuscan girl and the theories of a feminist scholar, THE VOICES OF GEMMA GALGANI is not so much a book as a resource for a book that (one hopes) may one day be written.

   It's about a young girl who loved and was loved by Jesus, who talked to her guardian angel and was frequently visited by her friend, the not-yet-canonized Passionist saint, Blessed Gabriel of the Sorrowing Virgin, and who frequently depended for consolation on the Mother of Jesus, her "Mom."
   This is Gemma Galgani, who lived not in medieval times, as one might expect, but in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the bustling Tuscan city of Lucca, in northern Italy. Gemma's life was approximately contemporaneous with that of Therese of Lisieux and with the reign of Pope Leo XIII, but she did not teach a "little way" to sanctity nor address problems of the industrial world.
   Gemma's sanctity, her closeness to God was, it would seem, thrust upon her. The book does not tell when it began, but Gemma's own words tell the reader that sometimes when she prayed her head would "take off" and she would be unaware of anything but the presence of the Jesus she loved.
   Sometimes, when she regained awareness, she would find her brothers and sisters laughing at her, along with a few of the playmates they had invited in to see the funny spectacle of"Gemma in ecstasy." Neighbors and relatives were undecided whether Gemma was a holy child or an oddity. Her father a successful chemist defended and supported her.
   In her letters to her confessor, Gemma describes herself sometimes as "bad." She went to confession every morning before receiving Holy Communion. No hint is given in the book of what the "bad" might be, but one can imagine the puzzlement of her parish priests at finding this girl seeking confession so often, and with so little to tell. They solved it by passing her up to the Bishop, Monsignor Giovanni Volpi, who became her spiritual adviser. He was not quite sure, it would seem, what he had on his hands.

   He urges her to be "obedient" and continue her prayers, although he cautions her often that her experiences may be the work of the devil, or even perhaps just her own imagination.

   Gemma tries to be "obedient" but sometimes she is confused by whether to be obedient to her confessor or to her Jesus. When Jesus does not visit her or send her angel, she thinks he is displeased with her because she has failed to be obedient.

   At one time, almost in despair, she promises, "I will be obedient to everyone."

   Gemma's mother dies when she is five years old, her father before she is twenty. A short stay in a convent school leaves her longing to become one of the nuns and live her life in a convent, but the oddity of her daily life, an unrelated illness she experiences from time to time, and the rumor that she has the stigmata make the nuns' superior wonder if Gemma would fit into the routine of convent life.

   Help comes for Gemma in her late teens, when a monastery of the Passionist religious order is established in a nearby town and one of the Passionist priests comes to Lucca to conduct a "mission," a week-long revival. Father Gaetano takes an interest in Gemma and later introduces her to Father Germano, a noted spiritual director, who becomes Gemma's adviser.

   Gemma had been given a home by the neighboring Giannini family, whose mother, Cecilia, believed in Gemma's holiness and defended her from the curious and the doubting. Gemma submitted, against her will, to examinations by doctors, the most prestigious of whom, in the fashion of the time, pronounced her an "hysteric."

   After her death in 1903, Gemma's cause for sanctification was proposed by the Passionist fathers, who understood and had no doubt of her faithfulness and honesty. The contention and uncertainty that followed her through life continued after her death. Only the intervention of two Popes, Pius X and Pius XI, brought the contention an end, and Gemma was canonized.

   THE VOICES OF GEMMA GALGANI is a fascinating book about the life of a modern day saint. It is constructed with three main parts. First, it includes a discussion by Professor Bell on the conditions of church and state in Italy at the time. The second section details the words of Gemma herself in her ecstasies, letters and a brief diary. The third part is a discussion by Professor Mazzoni about Gemma's life and spirituality through the lens of the modern feminist movement which emphasizes the Church's incomprehension of feminine spirituality.

   Appropriate for scholars interested in religion,THE VOICES OF GEMMA GALGANI is also just a good book for ordinary folks interested in the life of an extraordinary person.




2. Composed of a scholarly discussion of early 20th century Italy, diary entries/transcripts of the ecstatic prayer a young Tuscan girl and the theories of a feminist scholar, THE VOICES OF GEMMA GALGANI is not so much a book as a resource for a book that (one hopes) may one day be written.

   It's about a young girl who loved and was loved by Jesus, who talked to her guardian angel and was frequently visited by her friend, the not-yet-canonized Passionist saint, Blessed Gabriel of the Sorrowing Virgin, and who frequently depended for consolation on the Mother of Jesus, her "Mom."
   This is Gemma Galgani, who lived not in medieval times, as one might expect, but in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the bustling Tuscan city of Lucca, in northern Italy. Gemma's life was approximately contemporaneous with that of Therese of Lisieux and with the reign of Pope Leo XIII, but she did not teach a "little way" to sanctity nor address problems of the industrial world.
   Gemma's sanctity, her closeness to God was, it would seem, thrust upon her. The book does not tell when it began, but Gemma's own words tell the reader that sometimes when she prayed her head would "take off" and she would be unaware of anything but the presence of the Jesus she loved.
   Sometimes, when she regained awareness, she would find her brothers and sisters laughing at her, along with a few of the playmates they had invited in to see the funny spectacle of"Gemma in ecstasy." Neighbors and relatives were undecided whether Gemma was a holy child or an oddity. Her father a successful chemist defended and supported her.
   In her letters to her confessor, Gemma describes herself sometimes as "bad." She went to confession every morning before receiving Holy Communion. No hint is given in the book of what the "bad" might be, but one can imagine the puzzlement of her parish priests at finding this girl seeking confession so often, and with so little to tell. They solved it by passing her up to the Bishop, Monsignor Giovanni Volpi, who became her spiritual adviser. He was not quite sure, it would seem, what he had on his hands.

   He urges her to be "obedient" and continue her prayers, although he cautions her often that her experiences may be the work of the devil, or even perhaps just her own imagination.

   Gemma tries to be "obedient" but sometimes she is confused by whether to be obedient to her confessor or to her Jesus. When Jesus does not visit her or send her angel, she thinks he is displeased with her because she has failed to be obedient.

   At one time, almost in despair, she promises, "I will be obedient to everyone."

   Gemma's mother dies when she is five years old, her father before she is twenty. A short stay in a convent school leaves her longing to become one of the nuns and live her life in a convent, but the oddity of her daily life, an unrelated illness she experiences from time to time, and the rumor that she has the stigmata make the nuns' superior wonder if Gemma would fit into the routine of convent life.

   Help comes for Gemma in her late teens, when a monastery of the Passionist religious order is established in a nearby town and one of the Passionist priests comes to Lucca to conduct a "mission," a week-long revival. Father Gaetano takes an interest in Gemma and later introduces her to Father Germano, a noted spiritual director, who becomes Gemma's adviser.

   Gemma had been given a home by the neighboring Giannini family, whose mother, Cecilia, believed in Gemma's holiness and defended her from the curious and the doubting. Gemma submitted, against her will, to examinations by doctors, the most prestigious of whom, in the fashion of the time, pronounced her an "hysteric."

   After her death in 1903, Gemma's cause for sanctification was proposed by the Passionist fathers, who understood and had no doubt of her faithfulness and honesty. The contention and uncertainty that followed her through life continued after her death. Only the intervention of two Popes, Pius X and Pius XI, brought the contention an end, and Gemma was canonized.

   THE VOICES OF GEMMA GALGANI is a fascinating book about the life of a modern day saint. It is constructed with three main parts. First, it includes a discussion by Professor Bell on the conditions of church and state in Italy at the time. The second section details the words of Gemma herself in her ecstasies, letters and a brief diary. The third part is a discussion by Professor Mazzoni about Gemma's life and spirituality through the lens of the modern feminist movement which emphasizes the Church's incomprehension of feminine spirituality.

   Appropriate for scholars interested in religion,THE VOICES OF GEMMA GALGANI is also just a good book for ordinary folks interested in the life of extraordinary people.

   - Elizabeth Jennings




3. The title alone should give an indication of the scope of this book; "The voices of..." (iow., suggestive multiple personality disorder). The previous reviewer also explained it succintly; "The third part is a discussion by Professor Mazzoni about Gemma's life and spirituality through the lens of the modern feminist movement which emphasizes the Church's incomprehension of feminine spirituality."
   
   If you are an practicing Catholic, it is best to look elsewhere (and avoid these authors entirely). I would recommend, as a more authoritative source, the biography by Venerable Fr. Germanus.



4. This book gives a in depth study into the life and canonisation of St Gemma Galgani. On the plus side, the authors have translated some of her writings into English for the first time. They have included portions of her autobiography, her diary and some of her ecstacies and letters.
   
   On the negative side, the approach of the book itself is quite academic, and therefore may not interest more casual or first time readers into the life of St. Gemma. For this reason, I would highly recommend "The Life of St. Gemma Galgani" written by her spiritual director, Venerable Father Germanus C.P. which is the "bible" for Saint Gemma devotees.
   The Life of St. Gemma Galgani
   Glenn Dallaire

5 comments about Home to Stay: One American Family's Chronicle of Miracles and Struggles in Contemporary Israel.

1. Home to Stay is a must-read for anyone interested in Israel. It's a moving account of one American family's move to Israel, beautifully written. Rabbi Gordis has a gift for selecting a telling anecdote about family life or a personal observation and relating it to the broader panorama of life in Israel today. I also enthusiatically recommend Rabbi Gordis' previous books, especially "If a Place can make you cry...".



2. I've read hundreds of books on Israel -- internal politics, religious strife, relationships with Palestinians, with neighbors in the Mid-East, with American Jews, with the US Congress, etc. This book covers these same issues, less academically but with a human face. The good and the bad. Gordis writes with passion, but not an agenda. An excellent read for anyone who cares about Israel, especially if you have ever considered living there -- or want to better understand why so many Jews have exchanged the security and prosperity they had in the diaspora for life in the Holy Land.



3. Excellent real story with extreme passion, love and deep understanding. A MUST READ for everyone.
   The Jewish State for the Jews, a people so scarified, so much exterminated all over the centuries, in Europe and especially in the Arab world, world that by the beginning of the 20th century decided to exterminate, destroy and kill every single Jews in their countries, destroying as a result communities of 2500 years, reason why these Jews came to Israel our beloved land and home.
   Bravo for Daniel Gordis.
   BRAVISSIMO !!!!!!



4. I wish there were words to describe how great this book was. It is so hard to find a book about everyday Israeli life. In fact, is there? I saw Rabbi Gordis speak in NYC in 2004, and bought the book after his great speech. When you read this book, you feel like you are actually living in Israel. He describes every emotion he and his family is going through, the good and the bad. He is a great observer of human nature, and good writer. A must read for those you yearn to learn about contemporary life in Israel



5. Began as e-mails back home to family, this book's strength is the description of day-to-day life in Israel through good times and bad. For the book, Gordis intersperses the letters with political commentary to give some context to the letters' time of writing. More personal than David Horovitz' A Little Too Close to God, it is similar in bringing the political and personal together as a family debates the wisdom of staying in Israel when the peace process goes bad. You will get drawn into experiencing the emotions and ambivalences the Gordis parents and children have about their life. Very readable!

2 comments about A Cup of Good Water.

1. Having been to Guatemala several times on volunteer mission trips, this book provided me a greater understanding of and appreciation for the K'ekchi' people. Fran Eachus has shared a wonderful story of how God can take the talents and abilities of two young women who were AVAILABLE and use them to help reach a whole people group.
   
   A good book for anyone interested in missions. I thoroughly enjoyed the book - it is easy to read!



2. Two single women from the United States came to Guatemala in the mid-1950s because they needed a typist and a literacy worker. For the next 50 years, these two women, Francis Eachus and Ruth Carlson worked among the Kekchi people of Guatemala. Fran Eachus has written a beautiful autobiography of her experiences in Guatemala.
   
   It's a story of the life-changing power of God to transform the Kekchis but also to work in the lives of Fran and Ruth. Your own faith will grow as you read about these experiences.

5 comments about In My Father's House: The Years Before "the Hiding Place" (Corrie Ten Boom Library).

1. This book is simple and to the point and beautifully written. It gives the reader the insight of how human Corrie Ten Boom was and yet how much she relied on God for her direction. It is filled with humor and innocence as Corrie recounts her childhood memories, but always making it a point to let the reader know that the main focus is God. The delightful stories will stick in your memory bank. It was a very delightful book which I shall cherish and re-read in years to come.



2. As someone who voraciously gobbles up the writings of Corrie ten Boom, I have to say that _In My Father's House_ is my favorite. Anyone who has read _The Hiding Place_ , _Tramp for the Lord_, _A Prison and Yet_, or other books relating to Corrie's Nazi concentration camp imprisonment and her resulting ministry should do themselves a favor and savor _In My Father's House_. I am so glad this book is back in print and can now reach a new audience. Corrie discusses how the twists and turns of her childhood, teen years, and pre-imprisonment adulthood all came together to prepare her for her WWII and postwar ministry. She shows the evidence of God moving in her life to prepare her for her upcoming adventures. If you don't think so already, _In My Father's House_ may be what convinces you that there's no such thing as coincidence. The simply written, very basic family story of this book holds some deep implications. It may startle you in a pleasant way.

   I particularly recommend this book to parents, especially parents of young children. This book will show how God uses you to raise your child to fulfill God's purpose for his/her life. Corrie writes in a very touching way of how her parents, siblings, and extended family were so responsible for the extraordinary woman she became. This book is a beautiful testimony of how God uses families. It will inspire you to go pick up and cuddle your child while praying fervently. It will also remind you of your need to lean on God and rely on his guidance for this your most important job. _In My Father's House_ is a very powerful book.

   I recommend that you buy a copy of this book rather than borrowing it or checking it out from the library. As your glance flits across your bookshelves, perhaps a slight smile will come to your face as you notice the familiar spine peeking out at you. I return to my copy frequently and have repeatedly drawn from it for Sunday School lessons and devotional topics. _In My Father's House_ would be a valuable addition to your book collection.




3. She writes with the love and forgiveness that became her trademark after suffering terrible things at the hands of the Nazi's during WWII. I never cease to be encouraged, uplifted, and inspired when reading anything that she writes-this book included. Very few could have forgiven their tormentors the way that Tante Corrie did. She did it by the grace of God and her life was all the better for it.



4. IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE makes an excellent companion to THE HIDING PLACE and TRAMP FOR THE LORD. After discovering all the stories of Corrie ten Boom from the time she went into a German concentration camp during World War II until her death, her early years had always remained a mystery. And now, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE tells exactly what happened to Corrie during her first 50 years of life.
   
   Starting out with Corrie's great-grandfather, the book tells the story of how the early events in Corrie's life shaped her and prepared her for prison. Some of these stories will make you smile (Corrie was apparently a little rascal at times), and some will make you want to cry. Corrie's life was an amazing tapestry of love for people and her Savior. From Corrie ten Boom's girl clubs to the great halls of St. Bavo's Cathedral, you'll fall in love with Corrie ten Boom all over again with IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE.
   
   The end of the book brings everything full circle up to the point of THE HIDING PLACE, and then is followed by the Golden Tea Party (you'll have to read to find out about that!). All in all, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE is another great read from the life of Corrie, but I do recommend reading THE HIDING PLACE first. That book makes this one a little easier to understand.
   
   Check it out!



5. This quite-amazing book chronicles the half century of Corrie ten Boom's life before being imprisoned for helping to save Jewish people in Holland during World War II. I can't express just how profoundly this book enlightened me to the Christian way people could actually live. I haven't been around many outstanding Christians and the ten Boom family was definitely a Christian family. How blessed I am to know about them!

5 comments about Ambivalent Zen : One Man's Adventures on the Dharma Path.

1. First, a little background for this review. I spent 35 years searching for the truth (Who am I? Where did I come from? Is there a God? What are subatomic particles? What could explain the "observer paradoxes" in quantum mechanics? etc.). Zen helped me find everything I was searching for (it required 15 years of attentiveness). Although I ultimately left Zen behind, I am unspeakably grateful for all the help I received from various Zen Masters and other Zen practitioners I met along the way.
   
   I read Shainberg's book when it first came out and then re-read it again this last weekend. I had forgotten how incredibly funny the book is and how honest Shainberg is in reporting his experiences. When I read it the second time, I was struck most strongly by the pernicious power of Shainberg's "monkey mind." It's hard to believe that someone could do as much zen practice as he did without his mind quietening down enough to allow a few major insights. Nevertheless, I take him at his word. It reminds me of one of my friends who told me that after meditating for two years, his internal dialogue had not diminished at all and that he had never had a single moment of mental silence. I guess some people just have bad karma. Either that, or some people just don't want to know the truth badly enough. Personally, I was eaten up by the need to understand. I felt like a rat in a trap, and the idea of dying without ever understanding the universe struck me as absolutely intolerable. I was willing to die to know the truth. Ironically, what I discovered at the end of the trip is that I had never been born! For those who are still trapped by their thinking habits, try to make sense out of that statement.
   
   At any rate, I strongly recommend Ambivalent Zen, either as pure comedy, or as a warning about the kinds of craziness one is likely to encounter on the spiritual path. Fortunately, during his journey Shainberg met at least one authentic Zen Master who was clearly awake, and the Zen Master's conversations with Shainberg throughout the book provide a sharp contrast between an enlightened perspective and one that is still trapped in duality.
   
   For anyone who is serious about waking up, here is the condensed version of how to do it. Stop and be still. Meditate or do whatever you have to do to create some mental silence and space. (everything you are searching for will appear out of silence). Focus your attention upon what you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Trust yourself 100% (you already know what you want to know at a deep level of mind, but that level is far below the intellect--you have to go deeper than usual to get access to it). Simply bear in mind what you want to know until your questioning becomes non-verbal. Don't give up. Keep searching until you find the treasure. Hint: You searcher is not who you think it is!
   
   Other wonderful books on the same subject include, The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle, Collision With The Infinite, by Suzanne Segal, and From Onions To Pearls, by Satyam Nadeen. If you can't find help anywhere else, then write to Bob Harwood, The Very Center, 1615 Brown Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501. Cheers.



2. A long painful read by a self-obsessed masochist. The best part about it is the inside dope on many of the patriachs of American Zen. The worst is listening to this narcissist rail against himself for being too egoistic and selfish. If only he had a sense of irony, it might redeem this book. If you want a book that will helpful in your zen practice, try Glimpses of Nothingness by Jan Willem Van Der Wetering or My Master's Robe by Thich Nhat Hahn.



3. I've read lots and lots of memoirs by Westerners on their experiences with Buddhism, but for me none are as well written and wisely perceptive as this. Shainberg has an unusual ability to report honestly and vividly on both his inner life and the behavior of his teacher. He doesn't try to be profound nor funny nor eloquent, but his account ends up having all these qualities.



4. Hmmm...I'm trying to keep an open mind on this one.
   
   First, I've maintained a strong interest in Buddhism for my entire adult life, and am keen to hear or read others' impressions.
   
   Second, I've never gotten involved in any formal practice for several reasons, which can all be boiled down to my own personal hang-ups, impressions and stereotypes (which - in the absence of active practice - won't be confirmed or refuted by facts or experience): that Western Zen is often too insular, class-bound, and very much adapted to an upscale and rather fashionable POV that has as much to do with the fantasies (or the ego) of the 'seeker' as it does with any truth that might be ascertained from a disciplined study of the philosophies in question.
   
   Exoticism and navel-gazing do rankle; my own perspective is working-class, non-academic, non-affluent, and non-white, and I kept finding myself getting extremely annoyed with Shainberg's self-absorption. It's my own perspective and POV - such esoteric narcissism strikes me as a luxury many of us cannot afford; the discipline and toughness of Zen is attractive to many of us who are engaged with the world (and not seeking some ethereal retreat from it), and occasionally frustrated by the varied injustices and difficulties that we personally encounter on a day-to-day basis, so to me the luxury of literary dilletancy and self-reflective ponderings is very nearly insulting. It does strike me as a real affront to anyone who makes a serious effort to practice, and to learn the history and teaching that informs that practice.
   
   I will allow that Shainberg does display the occasional humorous flash of insight, and he does offer some extremely revealing glimpses into certain famous characters, though this is too often adrift in a sea of leaden prose.
   
   I wouldn't deny Shainberg's discomort at times, but would only insist that his discomfort doesn't make him any more special or interesting than anyone else.
   
   -David Alston



5. This book was surprisingly good, better than I thought it would be. It held my attention and it was as if I entered into a Zendo and experienced the practice and lifestyle firsthand. Due to that, my spiritual condition was heightened. I would reccomend it to anyone who wants to almost experience first hand what it is like to live a life dedicated to the practice of zen and be introduced to zen practice, lifestyle and what is entailed in its world.

No comments about The Leading Women: Stories of the First Women Bishops of the United Methodist Church.

No comments about James Baldwin's God: Sex, Hope, and Crisis in Black Holiness Culture.

1 comments about Modern Jewish Thinkers: An Introduction.

1. At last a book that makes all the major modern Jewish thinkers accessible without dumbing-down to sixth grade levels. I know the author is a great teacher, but I was surprised that he was able to capture his clear and vivid style in writing.

   Now I understand who Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Heschel, Buber, Kaplan were, what shaped their lives and thought, and why they are relevant to modern Jews.

   I enjoyed the author's introductions to each thinker most of all. The biographical details--family life, education, travels, friendships made these figures much more human. I also really appreciated the suggestions on further reading: I'm never going to read everything by Heschel or Buber, so it's good to be told what's worth my time and what isn't. I'm certainly going to recommend this book to friends in college classes, because the author also includes short bibliographies on every thinker (if I want to know what has been written about them.)

   I really liked the range of coverage: from the 17th century up until today; from Orthodox figures (Hirsch, Soloveitchik, Salanter)to secular Jews and Zionists (Herzl, Ahad Ha'Am). I liked the division into sections, and the length of each chapter (10-15 pages) was perfect.

   What was the worst part of this book? Despite the author's helpful questions, some of the orginal writings by these great thinkers were still pretty difficult--I think I would have enjoyed studying this part of this book with some help - maybe in a class or book group. In the end I often read Levenson's introductions and just skimmed the reproduced passages from the great thinkers. But this book is good enough to read again--I hope next time I'll do it with some friends or in a class...

2 comments about John Marco Allegro: The Maverick Of The Dead Sea Scrolls (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature).

1. John Marco Allegro - The Maverick of the Dead Sea Scrolls
   - By Judith Anne Brown -daughter of John Allegro.
   
   John Marco Allegro is hereby vindicated! Scholars of the world beware!
   
   Judith Anne Brown has inherited the same writing style, razor sharp wit, and knack for forcing people to think, as well as for stirring trouble and controversy that her father had.
   
   Judith takes us through a riveting and fascinating glimpse at the life of John Marco Allegro. From John's youth as the son of an immigrant family, to his beginnings in the British Navy, to starting his studies as a Methodist minister. While studying for the ministry, she shows his personal, detailed letters that start him questioning the authority of Biblical teachings; to finally leaving the ministry to begin his studies at Manchester, and then Oxford, making him noticed as an up and coming biblical and language expert and Dead Sea Scrolls authority. Then finally on to his discovery that Christianity and religion is primarily based on entheogen (drug) use and star/sun worship.
   
   Judy takes the reader through the times of laughs and the times of tears and turmoil.
   She provides an outline of John's personal history, his family, his life as a playboy, the falling apart of his marriage, to the inner turmoil and outrage he had that no one would look at his views open mindedly and seriously, because they challenged the orthodox.
   
   She provides and excellent breakdown of the content of each of his books, screen writes, and personal letters; proving John's side of the story. Judith gives the reader interesting and easy to follow story line, with a deep understanding into the most controversial of topics in recent decades.
   
   This book contains a beautiful collection of previously unpublished photographs of John, the family, and the Middle East during his expeditions.
   
   If this book wasn't written about John, I would have forgotten that I wasn't reading John's own work. Judy certainly has the Allegro ability to stir controversy--only this time people will have to pay attention. She has thoroughly debunked the 30 years of attacks, lies, and rumors that had spread over the years against John.
   
   At times the book may move you to tears while reading about his personal struggles and the emotions over the blanketed attacks stirred regarding his unorthodox approach at religious scholarship and finally to his sudden death, on his birthday, on Feb. 17, 1988-and continuing legacy today.
   
   Judith Brown has provided substantiation for Allegro's views, and debunked those empty attacks on his integrity and scholarship. Any intelligent and open-minded scholar will hereby be forced into reconsidering many of John's views...and for that matter, Judith's own views.
   
   This book provides an absolutely solid foundation for future work to begin building on John Marco Allegro's ideas--an excellent foundation for up and coming publications by her and other scholars and authors.
   
   The Allegro legacy of controversy lives on!
   
   A better than 5 star rating.



2. Obviously, a favorable review of her father who was much maligned for presenting a novel
   explaination for the origins of myth and religion, specifically the Christian
   faith. He has never been seriously challanged by authentic philologists,
   only by religious zealots and others who are convinced the Earth is flat.
   Her portrait of a driven, ambitious and wounded man is full and warm and shows
   much love of the man and his ideas, who opened the world to the hidden
   exegeses by biblical scholars too frigtened to make known to a deluded public
   what the Chuches and their minions were doing to them and the 'civilized'
   world.

3 comments about Touched by Fire.

1. "Touched by Fire" is a book about the ongoing journey of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. It is filled with deep wisdom about spiritual truths and the common pitfalls a devotee makes on the road towards the divine. In this wonderful book, the author tells the reader his own shortcomings and imperfections about his character. It takes a great man to admit his faults in public and this shows us that the author has reached an advanced stage of spiritual development. This gives the 'ordinary' reader hope in the spiritual path.
   
   This book is also filled with tales of miracles performed by certain yogis. For example, the author writes about a yogi walking on water. However, these miracles are spiritually useless and it only feeds the ego. There are numerous examples of this and each of them has a lesson to tell to the reader. Highly recommended for spiritual seekers worldwide!



2. TOUCHED BY FIRE: "The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker" By Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D, is a book that will touch readers deeply. The author is the Spiritual Director of the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania and the author of other books. The autobiography of Pandit's spiritual journey from his humble childhood in India as the son of a Brahmin spiritual leader to the royalty that were displaced when the British left India. Pandit's father went from living as one of the most revered members of the palace to living in a hovel and barely able to feed his family. From a young age Pandit had deep yearning of his sould which drove him to do everything necessary to gain the highest level of spiritual and University education possible, even though no one from his humble village had ever gone higher than fifth grade. Through many trials Pandit experienced the Divine providing what he needed when he needed it, and his teachers always appeared when the student was ready.His walk is a journey of faith and deep soul searching while he learns to find God not out in the world but within and he experiences the One Divine within himself and learns to see the Divine in every living being. This is a beautiful and inspiring book, and no matter what your religious faith, you'll find yourself learning that God is One, no matter by what name or in what place you worship Him/Her. This humble Hindu teacher has marvelous lessons to teach muslims, Christians, Jews and other faiths: The way to access our individual relationship with the Supreme Being is to learn the disciplines of meditation and faithful daily practice and discipline in personal actions: always humble, and never taking money or boosting ego from the spiritual experiences. One of the most deeply moving books I have read.



3. Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker chronicles the biographical journey of a man from his birthplace in an ancient village in India to his present-day service as the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute located in northeastern Pennsylvania. Touched by Fire is neither a "how-to" guide to achieving spiritual enlightenment nor a summon to any specific religious faith, but rather one man's journey across years of study, the struggle to master emotions, and the guidance of providence in finding his destiny. A message of hope and universal brotherhood rests within this inspirational life story.