Talking to God: Portrait of a World at Prayer [Hardcover]

John Gattuso (Editor), Huston Smith (Introduction), Phyllis A. Tickle (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2006

Essays by internationally renowned writers of faith explore the universal significance of prayer in this inspirational volume of lush images and meditative words. More than 100 photographs taken in 50 countries chronicle the diversity of the devotional experience in all of its intimacy, mystery, rapture, and stillness. The experience of prayer is shown to connect all parts of the human family in pursuit of a greater, transcending reality. With its breathtaking beauty and affirmation of life, this volume gives readers new insights into the practices of the world’s many faiths.

 

Includes essays by Karen Armstrong, The Dalai Lama, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield, Harold Kushner, C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Thomas Moore, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Kathleen Norris, Pope John Paul II, David Steindl-Rast, Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel, Michael Wolfe, and Carol Zaleski.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 "A sumptuous feast of beauty and wisdom."  —Philip Zaleski, editor, The Best American Spiritual Writing

"Rich with powerful images and thoughtful reflections."  —Sharon Salzberg, author, Lovingkindness

"Deep, powerful, and transformative."  —Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, The Sacred Art of Lovingkindness

About the Author

Phyllis Tickle is the former contributing editor in religion to Publishers Weekly and the author of more than 20 books, including God-Talk in America, Prayer Is a Place, and The Divine Hours trilogy. She lives in western Tennessee. Huston Smith is a professor of religion and distinguished adjunct professor emeritus of philosophy at Syracuse University. He is the author of The World’s Religions, which has sold more than 2.5 million copies, and Why Religion Matters, winner of the 2002 Wilbur Award for the best book on religion. He lives in Berkeley, California. John Gattuso is the editorial director of Stone Creek Publications, whose books include Shadow Boxers, numerous travel titles, and a series of illustrated guides for outdoor enthusiasts. He lives in Milford, New Jersey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Stone Creek Publications (October 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965633837
• ISBN-13: 978-0965633833
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #737,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful compendium, compiled with respect toward all faiths and all efforts to humble oneself before the divine, September 13, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talking to God: Portrait of a World at Prayer (Hardcover)

Illustrated throughout with more than a hundred full-color photographs, Talking to God: Portrait of a World at Prayer is compilation of fifteen essays discussing the topic of prayer from the point of view of many faiths. Writings from authors including the Dalai Lama, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Thich Nhat Hanh, C. S. Lewis, Elie Wiesel, Pope John Paul II, and more allow the reader to contemplate the spirituality of opening oneself up to communication. Writings are brief, sometimes only a page, sometimes a handful of pages; Talking to God is a visual and reflective experience, rather than a lengthy academic or in-depth theological one. A beautiful compendium, compiled with respect toward all faiths and all efforts to humble oneself before the divine.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Look at Prayer Around the World., May 12, 2007

By 

Deborah L. Loisel "Deborah L. Loisel" (Tonasket, Wa. Usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talking to God: Portrait of a World at Prayer (Hardcover)

This book is not only has gorgeous photography but gives you an idea of how other religions worship the Creator. It was very inspiring to know we all have similar things we do, when worshiping and praying, but we go about it in different ways. The book points out differences in a beautiful way, focusing on the positive aspect of each religions unifying factor of praying & worshiping the Creator. I would feel totallyh comfortable giving this book to anyone of any faith because there is no negativity in it regarding faiths or the peoples depicted. Its a beautiful, gorgeous book and should be treasured as I do now. It is prominently displayed on my coffee table. Kudos to the Author. Definitely a 5 star book. Worth every penny I paid for it. It will probably end up being a classic.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, intimate and engaging photographs of a world at prayer., February 14, 2010

By 

Jane Derry "Focus On Today" (Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Talking to God: Portrait of a World at Prayer (Hardcover)

In our addiction recovery centre, we devote a lot of time to Spirituality. The whole basis of the 12 Step program is around a relationship with a "Power Greater than Yourself", and for many people coming into recovery the concept of a Higher Power is confusing and somewhat threatening. We use this beautiful book to talk about prayer, and how it a part of the human makeup, and has been since the beginning of civilizations. In the archeological history of humankind, not all excavated lost communities have schools. They don't all have garbage dumps. They don't all have hospitals. They don't all have a marketplace. But every community ever found and studied, has had a place of worship.

Our guests love the respectful and colourful photographs we work with each week in a prayer assignment. It also gives us a template to loosely discuss different Spiritual Traditions, and how men, women and children throughout time have understood, surrendered to, and loved their Higher Power.

Jane Derry