Bread Upon The Waters: A Pilgrimage Toward Self-discovery And Spiritual Truth [Paperback]

Peter Reinhart (Author), Peter Reinhart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

For Peter Reinhart there is no clear line between bread making and soul making. In this engaging memoir, he traces the many paths he's traveled on his journey toward becoming a spiritual adult. Drawing upon both his humility as a seeker and his authority as an internationally known master baker, he relates the twelve stages of bread making to initiations of the soul that progressively lead one to a richer, more spiritual life. With humor and wit, he recounts his struggle to forge a link between the timeless principles of the Judeo-Christian tradition and other world religions. Ever the pilgrim, he tells movingly of his own search for an inner priesthood, a search that led him to twenty-five years of seminary training and charitable work among an eastern orthodox service order; it was here that he discovered his talent and passion for the innately spiritual craft of bread baking.Bread Upon the Waters draws upon a rich life, one devoted to caring for others and to matters of the soul above all else. And woven throughout are inventive recipes drawing upon the ritualistic tradition of the bread baker-food for the body and meditations for the spirit.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It is an age-old recipe--grain, yeast, and spirit--and author Peter Reinhart knows how to blend these ingredients well. In fact, Reinhart has been fermenting this particular loaf of wisdom for years. On a worldwide level he is known as a master baker and author of the award-winning cookbook Crust and Crumb. On another (but equally important) level he is a spiritual pilgrim who finally planted his roots in the Christ the Saviour Brotherhood, an eastern orthodox service order.

In this well-written memoir Reinhart demonstrates how a journey to God follows the same rules as the baking of bread. For example, you must have all the right tools to begin. In one case the tools may include meditation and affirmative prayer, in the other they may include baking parchment and spatulas. (Although Reinhart is now in a Christian orthodox order, his voice and quest could easily appeal to any spiritual orientation.) As in Like Water for Chocolate, Reinhart inserts bread recipes into each chapter of his book as he shares his hard-earned spiritual maturity and personal story. As a result, his stories, wisdom, and bread recipes are more easily understood, savored, and digested. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

A small but growing group of authors write cookbooks that explore the spiritual metaphors of cooking. Reinhart has written a number in this genre, including Brother Juniper's Bread Book and Sacramental Magic in a Small Town Caf?. As both a lay brother in an Eastern Orthodox service order (Christ the Savior Brotherhood) and an excellent bread chef (editor of the revised Joy of Cooking's bread chapter and former instructor at the California Culinary Academy), he speaks with both spiritual and culinary authority. In this nutritious and delicious book, Reinhart uses the twelve stages of bread-making (mise en place, mixing, primary fermentation, punching down the dough, weighing the individual pieces, rounding, resting, shaping, secondary fermentation, baking, cooling, then devouring or storing) as symbols of our spiritual walk. Tempering of the soul, for example, is "the testing and strengthening of our commitment to the vision of our quest. When we make bread we have enough experience with the end result so that we know what we are shooting for." Reinhart uses long stories (which are sometimes a tad long-winded) from his own spiritual journey and experience. For those who share the love of excellent bread and the desire for a serious spiritual walk, this book will be a tasty treat. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738204323
• ISBN-13: 978-0738204321
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PETER REINHART is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on bread. He is the author of six books on bread baking, including the 2008 James Beard Award-winning WHOLE GRAIN BREADS; the 2002 James Beard and IACP Cookbook of the Year, THE BREAD BAKER'S APPRENTICE; and the 1999 James Beard Award-winning CRUST AND CRUMB. He is a full-time baking instructor at Johnson and Wales University and the owner of Pie Town restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Take THIS Bread May 12, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book uses the unique analogy of the stages of baking bread and the stages of faith. I don't bake, but found the stories fun and insightful. It is another example of how many ways we can see God in this world. How many different paths will lead to the Creator. One works with one has. What Peter Reinhart has is an in-depth understanding and passion for baking bread. He has cleverly combined the spiritual journey for himself and for us. Rising, punching down, resting, proofing, etc. I liked the book. It added insight spiritually and inspired me to try baking bread. A miracle indeed!

5.0 out of 5 stars Epiphany July 31, 2007

By javajunkie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is soooo good, I can't hardly stand it. Combining my culinary passions and my spiritual yearnings and pursuits, it is so full of "aha" moments, moments of challenge and encouragement - to use his words, for me, an "epiphany." Likening the baking of bread, in all its stages, for the spiritual life - all I can say is its a pity its out of print, and I will likely be buying several of these out of print copies to give away. Mine is already full of highlights, and I am even journaling what I am learning. And I had his "Struan" recipe in there, too - the bread that put him on the map, so to speak, with Brother Junipers. Cant recommend enough, or THANK Peter Reinhart enough for this book. This man is no mere "bread baker," but a man full of wisdom and depth. I hope I shall meet him one day.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Going Deeper August 11, 2005

By A Reader from the Midwest

Format:Paperback

This is a thoroughly enjoyable memoir. Although I am not a big fan of extended metaphors, I found Reinhart's comparison of the stages of breadmaking to the stages of seeking God very effective. The recipes are a great inclusion and don't seem to require an overwhelming effort for the novice. The real gem in this book is the encouragement to go deeper, whether that be into an art like bread-making or into a spiritual path. Reinhart writes convincingly as a man who has done both.