Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader [Paperback]

Henri Nouwen (Author), Robert Durback (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 1997

The inspirational writings of Henri Nouwen have touched millions of readers all over the world. With his death in September 1996 there was a tremendous outpouring of tribute to him and clear recognition of the importance of his writings. Much beloved as a lecturer, author, and spiritual guide--he brought a message of hope and healing which found resonance in today's world. In the inspiring pages of the revised edition of Seeds Of Hope--the original edition of which was released in 1989--are gathered selections from the full spectrum of his work. All of Nouwen's finest books are reflected here, including The Return of the Prodigal Son, The Wounded Healer, Reaching Out, The Way of the Heart, The Road to Daybreak, and The Inner Voice of Love.



Seeds of Hope is Nouwen's legacy to his readers, providing true comfort for the challenges of our lives and pointing the way to a new spirituality.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Selections from the books ( Reaching Out ; Genesse Diary ) and articles with which Nouwen, priest, social activist and spiritual mentor, has reached a popular audience are included in this collection that centers on the theme and universal application of hope. An introductory biographical overview covers 20 years of his public, diversified ministry. We learn of Nouwen's youth in a Dutch family, his seminary experience, professional appointments including stints at Yale and Harvard, missionary activity in South and Central America and, today, residence in a French community of handicapped persons. Nouwen brings fresh insights and contemporary interpretations to exploration of eternal verities in existential settings. Recording his own quest for vocation, "the voice he listens for in the silence of his heart," he touches similarly searching people through the grace and clarity of his expression.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Despite the number of Nouwen books recently reviewed here ( LJ 1/89; LJ 2/1/89), this fine new anthology merits special mention. Durback has organized the material around the themes of hope, which he sees as implicit in all Nouwen's reflections on human hungers; prayer; the mystery of Christ; and the challenges of living in a nuclear age. The introductory essay on the relationship between Nouwen's life and writing is excellent, and the selections (drawn from the full range of his work, including hitherto unpublished journals/essays) richly illustrate the yearning for deeper intimacy with God and with others that has moved so many Nouwen readers.-- EC
Copyright 1989 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: 320 pages
• Publisher: Image Books (December 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385490496
• ISBN-13: 978-0385490498
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #633,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Henri Nouwen was born in Holland in 1932 and ordained a Catholic priest in 1957. He obtained his doctorandus in psychology from Nijmegen University in the Netherlands and taught at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. He experienced the monastic life with Trappist monks at the Abbey of the Genesee, lived among the poor in Latin America with the Maryknoll missioners, and was interested and active in numerous causes related to social justice. After a lifetime of seeking, Henri Nouwen finally found his home in Canada, as pastor of L'Arche Daybreak - where people with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers live together in community.

Henri Nouwen wrote over 40 books on spirituality and the spiritual life that have sold millions of copies and been translated into dozens of languages. His vision of spirituality was broad and inclusive, and his compassion embraced all of humankind.

He died in 1996. His work and his spirit live on.

Henri Nouwen pronounced his name "Henry Now-en." For more information on his life and work, please visit www.henrinouwen.org .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic and Genuine, June 21, 2000

By 

Mark Sanford (Desert Hot Springs, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader (Paperback)

I happened upon this book, and was blown away at it's relevance to personal questions and issues that I had been pondering. Nouwen's understanding of the ebbs and flows of our humanity and our need for relationship with God and his community is exceptional, as is his honesty about his own journey through suffering and personal pain. This is an excellent book for those wanting to experience a closer relationship with God in a practical and authentic way. The editor did an excellent job of choosing short excerpts from Nouwen's writings and journals to present a tasteful collection of inspirational reading, palettable for short periods of reading time.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep This Book On Your Nightstand, January 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader (Paperback)

If you need a spiritual uplift, a beacon of light in a sea of darkness, or just the warm voice of a friend on a lonely day, pick up "Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader" edited by Robert Durback. Henri Nouwen follows the age-old adage about writing, namely, "writing is simple: just take off your clothes." Henri Nouwen, like Jesus, exposes the wounds in his hands, his feet, and his side. He doesn't try to show you only the good stuff. He entrusts you with his fears, hopes, doubts, aspirations, failures and triumphs. Meanwhile, he is pointing away from himself, toward the Master, and also toward the ineffable being that is God.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Stuff, June 4, 2001

By 

Julio C. Hernandez (Annandale, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Seeds of Hope: A Henri Nouwen Reader (Paperback)

If you are just getting started in your readings with Henri Nouwent this is a good place to start. This is a great books because it is like a greatest hits album. Just sample some of Nouwen's writings in this book and from there you can choose what you want to read next. I have been reading Nouwen's books for the past three years and I really enjoy his writings.