Customer Reviews

The Book of the Book

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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The value of this book cannot be overstated. It shocks and invigorates the reader, drawing out his or her psychological 'hot points'-the blocks that prevent understanding. But the value goes beyond this: it gets to the heart of the matter, emphasizing what it is that is really important in reading, studying, learning, and understanding. The words in the text may be few, but they pack quite a punch. This book is one that teaches not only by what is written in it but by what it does to the reader. Or, to put it differently, the blank spaces in the book are as useful as those darkened by the print in it. Those who wonder how this may be possible are encouraged and invited to explore this truly wonderful work by Idries Shah.

Have you ever read a poem or listened to a piece of music that just kept opening up? And the more you listened, paid attention, the more you learned? Like an intricate Persian carpet with endlessly recurring themes and patterns, The Book of the Book will open a door in your life and consciousness. Repeated readings do not diminish the power of this multidimensional Sufi Teaching Story.

there are no words to describe this book. I have to admit that at first I was upset, but then I found myself laughing at the entire thing because it made me realize just how greedy I was for the knowedge I am seeking as a student of the way. This is by no means your typical book. It took me a day to read it and after reading it about two or three times now, I am still perplexed by it.

This astonishing, thought-provoking book is at the same time a delight to read and a challenge to one's every preconception about the role and potential of literature. I'll bet that, like me, you won't be able to put it down until you've finished every word, and that you'll find yourself reading it again and again.

This book is a mirror. It is perfect in its simplicity. But don't be fooled, its pages will force you to reflect on your true nature--your motivations, your faith, your vanity, your ambitions, your cynicism. Like Caliban, you may not like what you find. But in finding it, you will grow. You can't put a price on that kind of experience from a book. If you're like me, you'll come back to it, time and again.

i have found an old copy of this INVALUABLE book,by >happenstance<,(read magic) at the library,i made my own copies to share with others and if you read the book before buying ,(i sincerely hope) you will get the cosmick joke and do something similar yourself..please understand how hilarious it is to pay over 100 dollars for the plain truth that is always "over valued " as a book ,and BEYOND value as true wisdom...don't believe me?,hear it in this nested sufi goofy tale from a master story-teller...

I first encountered the Book of the Book 35 years ago, and could not forget it. Picked up a copy a month ago and found its impact to be undiminished, and even more profound.

As the old cowbow song says, if you're really thirsty you want cool, clear water. THE BOOK OF THE BOOK is cool. It's clear. And it quenches my thirst for the real antidote for thirst--water. And I re-read it often. I still crave soda pop, beer, wine, whisky, lemon-aid, juice and all kinds of literature. I still read all kinds of books. But this one stands out by its bulls-eye shot straight to the essence of my humanity. It's also as disappointing as regular water can be. Most of the time I want Diet-Pepsi. Then THE BOOK OF THE BOOK seems bland and irritating. ButI keep returning to THE BOOK OF THE BOOK again and again. It's funny, too. And the joke was on me.

THE BOOK OF BOOKS IS YOUR LIFE BOOK. FILL IT WITH QUOTES AND MEMORIES. FILL IT WITH LESSONS TO PASS TO YOUR FRIENDS, CHILDREN AND MATES. NAMATSE.

Incredible book. Easiest read ever but will keep you feeling unreal and floaty for weeks. Which is the point. You'll think about things you've never thought of before.