The Harmonious Circle: The Lives and Work of G. I. Gurdjieff, P. D. Ouspensky, and Their Followers [Hardcover]

James Webb (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: Putnam; First Ed. edition (1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399114653
• ISBN-13: 978-0399114656
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,566,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars certainly the best bio of Gurdjieff, May 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Harmonious Circle: The Lives and Work of G. I. Gurdjieff, P. D. Ouspensky, and Their Followers (Hardcover)

This book avoids the devoutly worshipful attitude of Moore, Patterson, Bennett and thier moon-mad ilk, and likewise doesn't fall into the pit occupied by the kinds of outright misrepresentations of fact found in so many other books, like those fairly recent things written by some well-known Brits (a psychologist, a lit professor and a famous occult writer). This is a complete presentation of the lives of G. and O., drawing the only conclusion possible: G's ideas are a brilliant but derivative hash made out of a random assortment of old occult documents and a little bit of hearsay. But the book says all this with a remarkable grace, depth and style; this man knows what he is talking about and knows how to say it. Rare in this genre.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book to end/begin the journey., July 14, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Harmonious Circle: The Lives and Work of G. I. Gurdjieff, P.D. Ouspensky, and Their Followers (Paperback)

Anyone who is at this site has the very exciting prospect of finding the actual TRUTH. A huge claim you may say but one that was made by Gurdjieff. Questions such as is there life after death can be answered. The question more importantly is can you accept the answers. Having read much in this line I was enthralled when I found such an excellent book in my favourite second hand bookshop. Whilst it didn't fall of the shelves it was THERE. Webb has touched the very essence of the work and he is to be congratulated on the presentation of the work. There are times when we know that we have finally got it right. Knowing is a solid element. I strongly recommend the book to searchers of the Truth.

11 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A lot of form, very little substance, December 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Harmonious Circle: The Lives and Work of G. I. Gurdjieff, P.D. Ouspensky, and Their Followers (Paperback)

Don't get the wrong idea. This book IS an entertaining read, but that is about it. There are many books in the "Gurdjieff field". Most are fairly shallow because they are "about" events and personalities of people involved in the "work". Other books are first hand accounts and though subjective too, reading of the difficulties that "veterans" encounter as well as the insights they experience can be useful to those seeking the same path. Only a handful of books are truly essential (as far as reading goes). This book belongs to the first category mentioned above. Full of many interesting stories and conjecture, this is not a book for those looking at gaining a deeper understanding of what is ultimately important. However, water does indeed seek it's own level and for those wanting a good fix of the superficial, this book is for you. I'd be careful about buying this book as a gift.