The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning (Paperback)

by Ernest Kurtz (Author), Katherine Ketcham (Author) "Discovering an ancient spirituality in a roomful of drunks may seem strange, even paradoxical..." (more)
Key Phrases: shared weakness, spiritual thinkers, Alcoholics Anonymous, Baal Shem Tov, Bill Wilson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The aim of this book is to explain the underlying spiritual--although not necessarily religious--principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. Part 1 presents the emphasis of this spirituality, which is the recognition and especially the acceptance of humans as imperfect beings. Part 2 tells how the founders of AA put spirituality to use. Part 3 discusses the benefits: release, gratitude, humility, tolerance, and forgiveness. On nearly every page, the authors retell stories and provide anecdotes from various sources: ancient Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Greek, and more. One need not have an interest in AA to benefit from this fine introduction to spirituality. This is recommended.
- John Moryl, Yeshiva Univ. Lib., New York
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"An  inspiring guide, offering comfort...to those who  want to stop striving for perfection and start  living."--Publishers Weekly  

"A brilliant anthology of  wisdom stories from all the great traditions centered  around a most compelling and discerning  issue."--M. Scott Peck -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553371320
• ISBN-13: 978-0553371321
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,001 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a book, this is an experience, May 23, 2000

By	Peter A. Kindle (Kansas City, Missouri) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is to spirituality as riding a rollercoaster is to physics. It is not a read; it is an experience. Kurtz and Ketcham have managed to tell their own story in such a way that the reader is invited to share in that experience.

Finding this spirituality of imperfection in Alcoholics Anonymous and the twelve-step program, K&K have scoured spiritual writings throughout history to find the words to describe their experience. Boldface quotes and stories color almost every page.

K&K find the essence of the spiritual in human imperfections and failure, in the inevitability of pain. Spirituality is not the evasion of consequences or errors, but rather learning how to live with them. They call trying to be perfect the most tragic human mistake. They are clear, spirituality is found in asking the right questions, not in finding the right answers.

Perhaps every reader of this book will not be able to hear it's music. Perhaps only those who have been wounded by life, need it. Perhaps only those who have drunk deeply of failure will find nourishment here. All I know is that I did, and to Kurtz and Ketcham I will always be grateful.

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book changed my life, March 1, 2000

By	Joan Mazza "Author, speaker, poet" (Mineral, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

from the author of DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF: A PERSONAL APPROACH TO DREAM INTERPRETATION; and DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DREAMS, DAYDREAMS, AND FANTASIES.

I read THE SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION at the end of 1993, at the suggestion of a friend. I had hesitated to read it because it was "a recovery book" and I expected that designation to limit its benefits. What I found, however, were stories that confirmed that to grow we must be willing to fail and make mistakes. This is what it means to be human. With this book's encouragement, hope, and humor, I embarked on my speaking and writing career, willing to blunder and to learn from others. Since then, I have recommended and bought this book as a gift many times. I list this title in my handouts for nearly all of my self-help classes and in the bibliographies of the books I write.

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite books in Sobriety , November 3, 2004

By	Paul O - See all my reviews

I have been sober for quite a few 24 hours, and during that time, I have read many spiritual books. I have learned from all of the books I have read; however my two all time favorites are The Spirituality of Imperfection and An Encounter With A Prophet.