Customer Reviews

The Hand of God: Thoughts and Images Reflecting the Spirit of the Universe

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are looking for a book to provide snippets of inspiration for others who are dear to you, or, perhaps one that will spark your own prayer and devotional time, this may be the book you are seeking.

"The Hand of God" is a collection of photographs taken in space, many by the Hubble Telescope, showing the vast and awe-inspiring wonder of the universe. These photos, a new "eye on the heavens" show every manner of nebula, comet and star formation for the wondering earthbound traveler. Presented in deep and vivid colors, the photos are thoughtfully paired with inspirational quotations, both familiar and obscure.

Of the many gorgeous images, surprises abound. A view of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and its surroundings looks every bit like a segment of Van Gogh's "Starry Night". A shimmering white cross-like photograph of Galaxy NGC 4640A is coupled with these lines from an ancient Jewish proverb: "God said to Abraham, 'But for me, you would not be here.' 'I know that, Lord,' Abraham answered, 'but were I not here, there would be no one to think about you.'"

Here are page after page of vast and panoramic views--both in word and in photograph, ranging from the tender greens and blues of our own earth, to a halo-like image of a filament eruption on our sun.

One would not classify this as a coffee table book per se, since its 8" x 8 1/2" dimensions are much smaller. It is perhaps best called an end table or nightstand book, suitable for an occasional glance or prolonged study. Either way, the unfamiliar images are profoundly inspiring, and invite the reader to move beyond Arthur Schopenhauer's observation, "Everyone takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world." This book is sure to expand your limits and inspire your vision, beautifully.

One of the more awe inspiring books I've ever read. The pictures alone are incredible. The images are tastefully paired with quotes ranging from Stephen Hawking to Galileo, Scripture to Huck Finn, John Glenn to Shakespeare... I don't recall seeing this quote in the book, but the lines it most strongly reminds me of come from the Psalms: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. . ."

This book is well worth five stars. I have ordered half a dozen copies for myself and others, and expect to buy more.

Whatever your religious/spiriual leaning, the inexpressible mystery of creation is evident in these Hubble Telescope photographs coupled with quotations from the world's best minds and hearts.

This excellent collection of pictures from space presents an awesome and inspiring view of space through many of the Hubble photos accompanied by pertinent and profound quotes from thinking peple.

It is a marvelous and thought-provoking encounter with the heavens regardless of your religious views.

I have given it to my children and friends and received 5-star responses from all who see it.

This work brings home the grandeur of our universe (and the creator behind it) as best as any book, video or special I have ever seen. The quotes from theologians, astronomers and prophets that accompany the images do not all point to a singular philosophy or faith, so do not be too hasty to write this tome off as a religious work or creationist propaganda. The photo prints are of superb quality and the quotations are well matched. My personal favorite quote is found on page 128, next to an image of a cluster of Massive Infant Stars: "I find it as difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science. And there is certainly no scientific reason why God cannot retain the same relevance on our modern world that he held before we began probing His creation with telescope, cyclotron and space vehicles." -Wernher Braun
This text is also a fresh reminder that while popular, secular science writers often demonstrate a lack of wonder and exaggerate the claims of their theories, the real scientists, the Einsteins, Newtons and Keplers, regarded themselves as full of wonder and mere children who had stumbled upon a few pretty pebbles upon the ocean's beach (a paraphrase from Abraham Heschel's "A Philosophy of Judaism"). Regardless of your personal faith proclivities, if you understand that no human has all the answers (and perhaps not even very many) you will enjoy this book, guaranteed.

I am not one to give praise easily. In fact, I can't remember when I last reviewed a book. But this book is truly a work of art. It is very well written and will prick the conscience of any agnostic or non-believer. It's as if there is this giant puzzle which nobody has been able to put together, till Michael Reagan came along and assembled the pieces.
Well done, that man. I also believe this book should be in every Primary school library.

No matter what your religious beliefs, you will be stunned by the deep space photographs in this book. The quotes are thoughtful and very deep - it is a very positive book in so many ways. If any house guests pick it up, they will want to take it home with them - so buy a couple extra!

This is certainly one of the best books I have purchased in a long while.The use of breath-taking photography and inspiring verses set the tone for a wonderful book that captures the essence of the universe.I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in astronomy for it will certainly spark one's interest in the subject.For those of us who don't believe in a supreme creator,well this book might just change your mind.......

Simply spectacular! The images and the correlated quotes really do seem to bring the heavens into contact with the spirit.

I am wondering if many reviews on this book are done by sellers because I was not that impressed with this book. The book is small in size, I should have checked the dimensions. I thought the photos would be coffee-table book in size (huge, in other words). Plus, not just quotes but a lot of writing which I did not care for. And the quotes were from people I did not all deem quite respectable people (or even from persons whom one does not associate with religious but usually the opposite).

I was going to give this as a gift but now I hesitate and will not buy the book again (as I had planned to, to give to someone else). There are several other books out there that connect faith and science.