Customer Reviews

The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life (The Book on Two Cassettes)

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Moore addresses a very important question: How can we bring back magic into our lives? We are used to living in a rational, practical society, argues the author, with the result that we have neither time, nor ability to stop, think, and savor the strangeness and beauty of things. We have over-rationalized our existence to the point where spirituality suffers. Some things, the authors counsels are, well... not very practical. Can we really afford to keep old and dilapidated buildings because they can enchant us when we intentionally romanticize them? But the utility of Moore's book lies in learning how to accept what is and endow it with spirit, magic, and meaning. Even if we must grow up, we need not give up the romantic spirit that makes life fascinating.

In this book, Moore builds on the material expressed in his earlier books, Care of the Soul and Soul-Mates, by considering the essentials of art, culture and society. A thought-provoking and re-energising read, without overt self-disclosure, false pretensions or weak, misguided self-illusions. Moore skillfully weaves his own special web of spiritual significance that stretches beyond our culture itself: by going straight to the centre of all human experience. An intellectually modest, yet soulfully rigorous book that is still highly capable of having literary and philosophical relevance to even the simplest of considerations. It's also a great interpretation of much of our long-forgotten human thought and endeavours from our past, present and the future, as well as allows you to realistically think about your own, unique cherished experiences yet to come.

After having never gotten around to Moore's previous best sellers, I finally bought this one. I enjoyed it very much, and found much to savor. It is NOT a book to read through all at once; rather, it's a smorgasbord that I have found myself musing on, reflecting on, and returning to again and again.

This book reaffirmed instincts I have held sacred since childhood, and encouraged me in the legitamacy of my own unique experience of God, life, nature, and "enchantment". --I might agree that the writing is not always the highest quality. This is my first introduction to T.M....if his other books are *better*, I CAN'T WAIT!

This is a good book. Many useful ideas can be found in it. Moore is a master of Religious Studies thinking and he writes from a wise, mature space. Dr. Moore has a wonderful sense of history and how we can learn from it. I really enjoyed it and would reccomend it for illuminating reading.

I was initially excited to read this book. Other people often ask me to explain why I find the world so fascinating, and then they don't typically listen to what I have to say. That's another matter, but it's the reason that I bought this book. My reasoning was that this book might help to clarify my fascination to others, and perhaps they would pay more attention to it than me.

In a nutshell, this book was a severe disappointment. As I read the introduction, my enchantment with the rest of the book waned, rapidly. Not to be daunted, I did read a bit more, but my initial surmisal was accurate: kindling. Mentioning Hobbes in a work about living an enchanted life should have been enough of a hint that Moore is not at all connected with the material he's referencing, and the rest of what I read affirms that.

His language and rambling are empty, there is no substance here. He demonizes reason, logic, science, and evolution, but tries to give them some credibility and value... in a world of fairies. Don't buy this book, don't waste your time even reading the back of it.

I like Thomas Moore's work, but find him difficult and sometimes impossible to follow. He rambles about things that are not connected to his subject. He has much to say but doesn't always say it succinctly. He floats from idea to idea without any real practical application for daily life, at least for this average Jane. This is definetly not one of Moore's better works.

After borrowing Moore's first two books from the library, I decided to purchase this one. The book has now been donated back to the library. It was forced and uninteresting. Maybe someone else can find it enchanting. I just thought it boring.

En una sociedad donde la pérdida de la fantasía está matando el espíritu del hombre, surge un libro que se atreve a hablar del alma en la naturaleza y en la cultura, y de la recuperación del asombro en nuestra vida diaria. El encantamiento es un poder del alma, una condición que nos permite conectarnos amorosa e íntimamente con el mundo que habitamos y con la gente que compone nuestra familia y nuestra comunidad. El alma humana tiene una necesidad absoluta e inexorable de encantamiento.
Thomas Moore nos invita, a través de estas páginas, a explorar nuestra vida cotidiana -en el trabajo, la naturaleza, los negocios, el hogar- y redescubrir todo lo que ella tiene de sagrado y maravilloso. (Ed. Sudamericana)

With such an ambitious title, I expected a more lively and fulfilling work. Instead, I was left waiting for Moore to take ideas to a greater spiritual and intellectual level; unfortunately, this never happened. For those who want more substance, I suggest looking elsewhere.