Powerful Prayers: Conversations on Faith, Hope, and the Human Spirit with Today's Most Provocative People [Paperback]

Larry King (Author), Rab. Irwin Katsof (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 1999

In his latest best seller, Powerful Prayers, the king of the interview asks some of the world's most prominent, glamorous, and intriguing figures to answer the most profound questions of our times-questions that deal with the resurgence of faith and spirituality. Larry King explores the intimate prayers of such famous personalities as Muhammad Ali, Barbara Bush, President Jimmy Carter, Deepak Chopra, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Alan Dershowitz, Laurence Fishburne, John Gray, Goldie Hawn, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Tommy Lasorda, Ralphy Reed, Shimon Peres, Ann Richards, Anthony Robbins, Rene Russo, Steve Young, and others.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Larry King, an agnostic, decided he was going to "scope out this prayer thing," he did it as only Larry King can: by talking. And talking and talking. King starts by relating conversations with Rabbi Irwin Katsof--the rookie chatting up the seasoned pro--and then moves on to discussions of prayer with the myriad celebrities and religious figures he interviews. Since everything is in King's voice, we have to assume he's quoting all these people accurately. Of course, this is Larry King, the only guy on earth who can mention the Dalai Lama and Florence Henderson in practically the same breath and give their opinions equal significance. And although he pitches prayer with the same enthusiasm he uses to hawk garlic tablets in radio commercials, by tape's end this is an educational experience, comparing and contrasting the role of prayer in various belief systems and among disparate individuals. (Running time: three hours, two cassettes) --Lou Schuler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Not many would ever label King a religious person, and having him write a work on prayer may seem incongruous. However, after some prompting from his daughter, he asked a rabbi to teach him about prayer. What we have in this collection is King's journey from being a skeptic to being maybe not so much of one?it's "a pragmatist's view of prayer." Bringing in observations and experiences of many of his guests, King (with Marty Appel, When You're from Brooklyn, Everything Else Is Tokyo, Audio Reviews, LJ 11/1/92) treats us to a view of the spiritual from many different religions as well as from people from all walks of life. This recording certainly displays him at his best: witty, engaging, always able to keep the listener's attention. Recommended for the religion section of all public libraries.?Michael T. Fein, Catawba Valley Community Coll., Hickory, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Renaissance Books; 1st edition (November 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580630863
• ISBN-13: 978-1580630863
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,958,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for inspiration, November 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Powerful Prayers (Hardcover)

Unlike most "religious" category books, this book lacks the preachy quality that causes most readers to not absorb the text. This book insightfully breaks down barriers between different religious beliefs and simply brings forth the universal belief in a higher power. The people that Larry King and Rabbi Katsof chose to interview are made more personable and are made more tangible through their everyday prayers, which are similar to ours, and their quest to be closer to God. This book would make a fabulous holiday gift that is sure to please a recipient of any religious background.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Prayer a Must Read, November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Powerful Prayers (Hardcover)

Powerful Prayers is a Must Read Reading Powerful Prayers provides you amazingly simple examples of commuincating with God through personal everyday prayer. It opens the door to an otherwise complex arena of thought. The discussion between Larry King and Rabbi Katsof is sensitive and thought provoking. The interviews add incredible depth to the discussion. They also legitimize informal prayer, and the many different ways people have found to communicate with their respective spiritual beings. I recommend this book to everyone who is open to exlporing their individual communication with God. It is a must read. It has changed my entire understanding or paradigm in regards to my relationship with God outside of a house of worship.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Powerful, September 23, 2002

By 

Jess Lorenzo (Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powerful Prayers: Conversations on Faith, Hope, and the Human Spirit with Today's Most Provocative People (Paperback)

Mr. King delved into the foundation of Spirituality and Religion and made simple an otherwise complex and controversial issue. The book focuses on the individual and his or her communication with God, while setting aside religious beliefs. I would like to recommend to friends who are too formal about prayers and to those who maybe agnostic such as Larry King in his book.