Krishnamurti: 100 Years [Hardcover]

Evelyne Blau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995

First published on the centennial of his birth in 1995, this is the story of Krishnamurti, told through his earliest letters and diaries to his last works. The 125 photographs bring into focus the man, the people he knew and the times in which he lived. Included are personal recollections from others who knew this remarkable man.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A reverential tribute to Indian religious teacher Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986), this handsomely produced volume splices an informal biographical narrative, 100 duotone photographs, excerpts from his letters, teachings, diaries and poems and recollections by friends and disciples. Born in southern India, whisked away to England in 1912 by Theosophical Society leader Annie Besant, Krishnamurti was promoted as a messiah-to-be, a role he renounced in 1929 by breaking with the Society. A pacifist, California guru and friend of Aldous Huxley in the 1930s, he returned to India in 1947, later traveled widely, established schools and, in the 1960s, became a guiding light to New Age seekers. Krishnamurti's teachings on consciousness, self-transformation, love, relatedness and spiritual freedom have influenced many, as reflected here in the reminiscences of Huxley, Henry Miller, Joseph Campbell, Leopold Stokowski, dramatist Anita Loos, physicist David Bohm, psychiatrist Benjamin Weinniger, ceramist Beatrice Wood and others. Blau, a trustee of the Kirshnamurti Foundation, also edited his book Meditations.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 284 pages
• Publisher: Stewart Tabori & Chang (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556704070
• ISBN-13: 978-1556704079
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,300,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Spell-Binding Biography of a Most Remarkable Man, April 15, 2002

By 

Cynthia Sue Larson "www.realityshifters.com" (San Francisco bay area, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Krishnamurti: 100 Years (Hardcover)

This story of Krishanurti's life is the most fascinating and complete biography I have ever read. It certainly helps that the book begins with intriguing accounts of Krishnamurti's unusual childhood, in which he was "found" by the Theosophical Society. ... "Leadbetter suddenly noticed one of the boys, outwardly a rather skinny looking little boy with a shaved front to his head and a pigtail. He was about thirteen (actually fourteen but appeared much younger), and had a little brother with him. He saw that around this boy was an aura of such brightness and glory as he said no one else in Adyar had, and that was so outstanding to him that he at once made friends with the two brothers."

Thus begins a most unusual relationship between the very young Krishnamurti and the Theosophical Society (Annie Besant was appointed guardian of Krishnamurti and his beloved younger brother one year later, in 1910. There were many advantages and disadvantages to the transformed life Krishnamurti led, and this book covers all the most interesting facets of Krishnamurti's life with beautiful photographs, hand-written journal entries, and interviews with Krishnamurti and other great thinkers of his time.

This is the story of a man devoted to giving spiritual teachings -- a man who inspired many (including Bruce Lee, Van Morrison, Henry Miller, Deepak Chopra, and Joseph Campbell) with his tremendous wisdom and clarity. Many of Krishnamurti's thoughts and quotes are included, such as, "In yourself lies the whole world, and if you know how to look and learn, then the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either that key or the door to open except yourself."

I highly recommend this book, both for its exquisite attention to the details and big picture of Krishnamurti's life, and for the inspirational wisdom it imparts to the reader.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely enlightening, May 4, 1999

By 

R. Ellingson "ric" (northwest by northwest, MT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Krishnamurti: 100 Years (Hardcover)

Krishnamurti, although interesting and intriguing, is not known for his entertainment value. He was as austere and uncompromising as he was fascinating. This book is entertaining, and interesting, and intriguing, and fascinating. It is my educated guess that Krishnamurti's teachings will become more well known in the years to come. Much more well known. This book is an excellent introduction to his teaching as well as a supplement to his actual wealth of books. What other book offers an invitation to what it means to being really aware and seeing truth, and also shares anecdotes of the like of which Krishnamuti is on a picnic with Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, and Aldous Huxley, to name a few. This book is a wonderful gem, full of insight. Absolutely enlightening.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man was his teaching, January 15, 2001

By 

sp - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Krishnamurti: 100 Years (Hardcover)

I first came across this book in a library and borrowed it, and the impression I got, sustained for 3 years to make me actually buy it. As Krishnaji would say, the only way of understanding and discovering your self is through the mirror of relationship, what better way of understanding Krishnaji than through the way he interacted with people from different parts of the world and with different perspectives? That said, Krishnaji still remains a mystery as he rightly should, but nevertheless a delightful mystery.....