Customer Reviews

Letters from the Desert

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4 star:		(3)
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2 star:		(1)
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In middle age, Carlo Carretto left a full life as an "outstanding Catholic layman" to begin a new life as a hermit-priest of the Little Brothers of Jesus, a religious order inspired by the example of Charles de Foucauld, the playboy-turned-priest who left France a century ago to live as a hermit amongst the Tuareg nomads of the Sahara. Carretto is a worthy successor to the example of Foucauld, living a life of prayer and poverty and silent witness in a precarious Islamic environment.

Carretto speaks movingly and without apology in the language of his inherited Catholicism, yet always succeeds - without affectation or pandering - in making ancient teachings seem new, alive, and relevant. His theology is solidly based in the Bible and in Catholic tradition, yet he speaks with a personal authority grounded in sacrifice and a lifetime committment to God, the Church, and his fellow man.

Above all, in a Church increasingly riven by struggles between right and left, liberal and conservative, Carretto combines in himself the best aspects of both, i.e., an inward piety grounded in prayer, meditation, and the sacraments, coupled with a social awareness open to the problems and concerns of the world, especially the world of the poor and disaffected.

This book is both timeless and contemporary, the hallmark of a book written from the heart and to the heart.

In a day and age where following Christ has been brought down to wealth, health and a membership to all the Bless ME clubs...this book is worlds apart. Mr. Carretto has the gift of taking deep...penetrating truths...and translating them into an easily understandable read....that will change the heart and mind of any life who's sincerely hungry for a more intimate life with the Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Carretto allowed Christ to strip him of a life of selfish...self serving, self seeking ways...and as he surrendered his all to the Master...he shares how Christ gave him back so much more than he'd ever had.
True oneness with God. The reality of how genuine their relationship was...is all through this book.

I cannot say enough good things about this book.....just buy it...read it and be prepared to have your foundation rocked...if that's what you're looking for....if anything at all is propping you up...anything at all...money...prominence...vanity or society....even one's own vices...get ready to make some changes...
If change is not what you're looking for...you better pass on this one....I cannot imagine one reading this...and staying the same.

This book is a marvelous witness to the peace and power available to us through the quiet welcoming of God into our lives each day. Carretto says, "Deep down the soul has understood that it must let itself be carried, that it must abandon itself to its Saviour, that alone it can do nothing, that God can do everything.... What matters is to let God get on with it." The author's lived-out, radical commitment is extraordinarily impressive.

However you can, as soon as you can . . . get this book. It is rich throughout, but the third or fourth chapter (apologies, I'm not sure which one off hand) is worth almost any price. It is one of the few passages I have ever read that has made a lasting, lifelong impact on my life with Christ. Go ahead, make the decision. You will be glad you did. In an age of "instant" Christianity, Mr. Carretto is a refreshing journey in the nuances of the soul, acknowledging the beauty and pain of what it means to follow Christ in a fallen world.

This is a small but powerful book. If you are seeking assistance is listening to God and building your relationship with him, this is the book for you. I am about to read it again, slowly. I just bought 10 copies to give to friends. I do not know that I have ever done that.

Enjoy.

This was a awesome book. A spiritual journey that has touched my life for the better. I feel that this book should be mandatory for all catholics

Some sticky stuff on the cover, but the book came in the promised state. As far as thevquality of the contents of the book, it is fantastic. Top notch spiritual read.

Writing about a mystical journey is fraught with danger. The author has two choices: to over-emphasize the mystical : the other is to d-mystify it so much that the narrative does not leave the ground. Luckily Carlo Corretto in his LETTERS FROM THE DESERT avoids both pitfalls. He produces a simple down to earth story which takes the reader to new heights and encourages him to search for basic personal answers. Besides it takes the reader outside the square of his own 'desert' life into a 'mystical' world which Carretto makes it feel so real.

The language fits the subject matter.It is straight forward and direct, unburdened by theological and arcane words. The 'imagery' lies in the persuasive and inspiring narrative .
Faith is still a mystery and is even more so after a reading of this book. Even the word' reading' sounds out place to describe a book about a calling, a response to the commanding voice,"Come with me to the desert". It requires more than one reading to harvest its fruits.

LETTERS FROM THE DESERT does not explain the mystery but goes a long way to show how one can (and does) respond to it.

V-2.

Far to much scribble and under marking, was not how it was advertised, i will be more cautious next time

Greg .. the book otherwise is OK excellent reading