Talks With a Devil [Paperback]

P. D. Ouspensky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1988

Introduced and edited by J. G. Bennett. The two stories in this book, "The Inventor" and "The Benevolent Devil," were written just before Ouspensky met Gurdjieff and just after he had returned from the East, "in search of the miraculous." They examine the whole question of conscious evil and the view that humanity's chief error is believing that the material world is the only reality.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Russian (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Arkana (April 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1850630968
• ISBN-13: 978-1850630968
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,971,392 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 Insightful, and thought provoking, June 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Talks With a Devil (Paperback)

One of the most introspective glimpses into the drama of human existence, this is a book for those who seek insight. What amazed me, as I first casually perused its pages, was the peculiar way in which it was presented, as if from the viewpoint of a devil, or demon, or something of that sort. I recommend this book for readers who prefer to read their books for the purpose of contemplation, and discourage any who might simply "collect" this book for its rarity. It is a novel packed with subtle philosophical wealth, and it is high upon my list of international masterpieces.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A study of Human Motivation, September 8, 2000

By 

n.r.lenehan (SYDNEY, NSW AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talks with a Devil (Paperback)

Ouspensky presents an original and very readable study of the human mechanism . Consideration of the way we live our lives can be unpalatable when directly confronting negative aspects of our behaviour such as eating and drinking to excess or unsatisfactory handling of our time or relationships . This book presents these matters and others in an absorbing account of the problems faced by the Devil and his assistants in striving to assist human beings to relate more fully to the material world.

The story is amusing while giving insights which are not immediately apparent . Much of the enjoyment of the book comes after reading of it is completed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent brainstorming!!, September 29, 2000

By 

"ziamond" (KATERINI Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talks with a Devil (Paperback)

A great book dealing with the possibilities and the power of human nature. It is highly metaphorical making you perceive the way people should guide their lives in a unique, very spiritual and inspiring way. Both stories are great but I really enjoyed the second one which divides people in two categories: the ones which keep in thouch with their spirituality and perceive life as a unique experience involving self-discipline, universal understanding and completion of the soul. On the other side are the narrow-minded people who are strained by social, economical and materialistic prejudices...worn off (without having the conception of that) are merely happy with their lives...being tottaly incorporated with the materialistic way of life and having no idea about what is happening behind the 'scene'. An inspiring book!!