Milagros: A Book of Miracles [Hardcover]

Helen Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 1998

Let the ancient power of milagros work miracles for you! Based on traditional Latin American talismans, these tiny silver charms are reminders that a miracle can fit in the palm of your hand. Throughout Latin America and the American Southwest, milagros are offered at shrines and sacred sites by believers as requests for divine assistance, or as thanks for blessings received. Modern day milagros may be carried in a pocket to protect from illness or harm, kept in the office to insure success, or placed in the car to avoid accidents--whenever you need a little magic in your life.

Milagros: A Book of Miracles is a wonderful introduction to this ancient tradition. Filled with beautiful milagro-inspired imagery, thoughtful meditations and reflections to enhance your daily life, and inspiring true stories of real people who have been touched by the magic of these ancient charms, this book proves that miracle do happen!

IF YOU BELIEVE ...

A young newlywed pins a milagro to a statue of St. Francis after her husband suffers a near-fatal accident. After his miraculous full recovery, she returns every year to give thanks. A heartbroken man carries a heart-shaped milagro in his pocket after losing the love of his life-shortly after, they are reunited. A surgery patient fastens a milagro above his heart and is restored to better health than his doctors ever anticipated.

Milagros--Spanish for miracles--come in an endless variety of shapes and sizes. Since before recorded history, these offerings to the gods have been an essential part of Latin American culture. More than just symbolic gifts, milagros are thought to be magical: if you believe and make your desire known with good faith, the milagro may work its wondrous power. This book is an inspiring introduction to the beauty anddivine blessings of these ancient talismans.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Helen Thompson is an editor and writer for Metroploitian Home and the author of the In Celebration series. A former writer and editor at Texas Monthly and managing editor of Domain, an arts and lifestyle magazine, she has written for Worth, Men's Journal, and Southern Style. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (October 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062515632
• ISBN-13: 978-0062515636
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #760,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, July 14, 2004

By 

K. J. Hackett (Huntington Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milagros: A Book of Miracles (Hardcover)

I have been interested in Mexican Folk Art for quite some time and often admired Milagros. They are such beautiful little pieces of art that look as though they are crafted with such care. I have been hesitant to start purchasing or collecting these due to a lack of knowledge on their history and meaning.

Enter this great little book by Helen Thompson entitled "Milagros: A Book of Miracles." What a great resource this is for someone like me who has a genuine interest in these little miracles and is searching for their meaning. In it you get a brief history of Milagros and their continued use. Then you are shown the Milagros that relate to the human body, mind and spirit. This is where we are given some amazing stories that drive home the powerfulness of the Milagros!

This book of miracles ends with a bit on making your own Milagros. As an avid crafter, I found this to be an incredibly interesting section of the book. With just a bit of imagination, you can make some beautiful Milagros of your own.

This was a great introduction for me and now I'm off to further my Milagro education.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lovely introduction to this tradition, September 3, 2001

By 

Aisling D'Art "artist and author" (Portsmouth, NH USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Milagros: A Book of Miracles (Hardcover)

If you've wondered about milagros and what they mean, this is a great book to explain the traditions. The illustrations are simple and inspiring if you're working with mixed media and want to head more towards authentic folk art. Finally, if you're a believer, the personal stories of how each type of milagro is used are very touching. This is a short book, filled with ample colorful illustrations, introducing you to milagros. For example, if you've seen little lips as a silver or golden charm and wondered what it meant, this book will explain. To dig deeper into religious and artistic traditions, you'll want a different book, but this is a fine place to start your exploration of these ancient talismans.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty little book, but......, July 21, 2002

By 

wck (Kerrville, Texas) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Milagros: A Book of Miracles (Hardcover)

If you want a little book to place on a table in your guest room, buy this one. But if you want to really learn something about the subject of milagros as votive offerings, buy the book "Milagros: Votive Offerings from the Americas" by Martha Egan. It is very informative with excellent illustrations. It will make you want to be a collector.