Bread Upon The Waters (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Interstate Highway 80 is a scary road when you have never before been on it, it's your first time west of the Mississippi, and you..." (more)
Key Phrases: interior priesthood, sacred psychology, bulk dough, San Francisco, Father Paul, The Jesus Prayer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It is an age-old recipe--grain, yeast, and spirit--and author Peter Reinhart knows how to blend these ingredients well. In fact, Reinhart has been fermenting this particular loaf of wisdom for years. On a worldwide level he is known as a master baker and author of the award-winning cookbook Crust and Crumb. On another (but equally important) level he is a spiritual pilgrim who finally planted his roots in the Christ the Saviour Brotherhood, an eastern orthodox service order.

In this well-written memoir Reinhart demonstrates how a journey to God follows the same rules as the baking of bread. For example, you must have all the right tools to begin. In one case the tools may include meditation and affirmative prayer, in the other they may include baking parchment and spatulas. (Although Reinhart is now in a Christian orthodox order, his voice and quest could easily appeal to any spiritual orientation.) As in Like Water for Chocolate, Reinhart inserts bread recipes into each chapter of his book as he shares his hard-earned spiritual maturity and personal story. As a result, his stories, wisdom, and bread recipes are more easily understood, savored, and digested. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

A small but growing group of authors write cookbooks that explore the spiritual metaphors of cooking. Reinhart has written a number in this genre, including Brother Juniper's Bread Book and Sacramental Magic in a Small Town Caf?. As both a lay brother in an Eastern Orthodox service order (Christ the Savior Brotherhood) and an excellent bread chef (editor of the revised Joy of Cooking's bread chapter and former instructor at the California Culinary Academy), he speaks with both spiritual and culinary authority. In this nutritious and delicious book, Reinhart uses the twelve stages of bread-making (mise en place, mixing, primary fermentation, punching down the dough, weighing the individual pieces, rounding, resting, shaping, secondary fermentation, baking, cooling, then devouring or storing) as symbols of our spiritual walk. Tempering of the soul, for example, is "the testing and strengthening of our commitment to the vision of our quest. When we make bread we have enough experience with the end result so that we know what we are shooting for." Reinhart uses long stories (which are sometimes a tad long-winded) from his own spiritual journey and experience. For those who share the love of excellent bread and the desire for a serious spiritual walk, this book will be a tasty treat. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (January 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738201839
• ISBN-13: 978-0738201832
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #521,693 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Take THIS Bread, May 12, 2000

By A Customer

This book uses the unique analogy of the stages of baking bread and the stages of faith. I don't bake, but found the stories fun and insightful. It is another example of how many ways we can see God in this world. How many different paths will lead to the Creator. One works with one has. What Peter Reinhart has is an in-depth understanding and passion for baking bread. He has cleverly combined the spiritual journey for himself and for us. Rising, punching down, resting, proofing, etc. I liked the book. It added insight spiritually and inspired me to try baking bread. A miracle indeed!

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, March 17, 2008

By	Paul K. Penney (Canton, MIchigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bread Upon the Waters: A Pilgrimage Toward Self-Discovery and Spiritual Truth (Paperback)

this book is a great read and allows yourself to ask questions like .... how did I get where I am spiritually ....

Peter has lived a very interesting life ....

5.0 out of 5 stars Epiphany, July 31, 2007

By	javajunkie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bread Upon the Waters: A Pilgrimage Toward Self-Discovery and Spiritual Truth (Paperback)

This book is soooo good, I can't hardly stand it. Combining my culinary passions and my spiritual yearnings and pursuits, it is so full of "aha" moments, moments of challenge and encouragement - to use his words, for me, an "epiphany." Likening the baking of bread, in all its stages, for the spiritual life - all I can say is its a pity its out of print, and I will likely be buying several of these out of print copies to give away. Mine is already full of highlights, and I am even journaling what I am learning. And I had his "Struan" recipe in there, too - the bread that put him on the map, so to speak, with Brother Junipers. Cant recommend enough, or THANK Peter Reinhart enough for this book. This man is no mere "bread baker," but a man full of wisdom and depth. I hope I shall meet him one day.