Book Description
The Floating Opera and The End Of The Road are John Barth's first two novels. Their relationship to each other is evident not only in their ribald subject matter but in the eccentric characters and bitterly humorous tone of the narratives. Both concern strange, consuming love triangles and the destructive effect of an overactive intellect on the emotions. Separately they give two very different views of a universal human drama.
Customer Reviews:
Men are attracted to the bon mot, not the mot juste.......2004-08-02
In THE FLOATING OPERA the main character's name is Todd Andrews. The focus is on a day, June 21, 1937. Todd is 54 years old and six feet tall. The Floating Opera is the name of a showboat. Jane Mack is Todd's mistress. Harrison Mack, her husband, is Todd's excellent friend. The hero has a weak heart and as a consequence rents a room at his hotel by the day. The author describes a breakfast of Maryland beaten biscuits, doublers, Cambridge, and the Choptank River. As a boy Andrews labored on a dinghy when he wanted a schooner. In 1935 the narrator began building his second boat, systematically. Miss Clara Malloy is described as the Mary Pickford of the Chesapeake. She is part of the show Andrews sees. On the enumerated date Andrews is to commit suicide, but then changes his mind.
The main character of THE END OF THE ROAD is Jacob Horner. He seeks to obtain a position at a teachers college located on the Eastern Shore. He moves from Baltimore to Wicomico, deciding to reside there whether or not he is hired. He finds, to his surprise, a really perfect room to rent. He arrives at his interview 24 hours early. It had been rescheduled because one member of the panel was with the Boy Scouts at Camp Rodney. The recorded music he owns is all Mozart except for a manic Russian piece, Gliere. Both novels recount a single man's friendship with a married couple. The people are special, the kinds found in universities. They live their lives in programatic fashion. There is a willed quality to their marital existence. Jacob is being treated in a kind of therapy to make him conscious of his existence to overcome paralysis. He is afraid of violence and experiences self-contempt because he has been a deceiver. There is a pregnancy and tragedy ensues.
Both novels are entertaining and accomplished. Each is filled with the lure and the lore of Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Barth 101 & 102: An Introduction to the Master.......2004-06-28
John Barth's first novel will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary of publication in 2006 Should this almost 50 year-old book, whose protagonist was born in 1900, still be read in the 21st century, by people who may not have even been alive when Barth wrote it? Emphatically, positively, yes!
The Floating Opera serves as an excellent introduction to the body of work of one of the 20th century's greatest writers (time will tell), and also stands on its own as an engrossing, amusing, thought-provoking tale. It establishes many of Barth's common themes and settings: the flawed, cynical (yet also fun-loving) protagonist; impossible quests; the absurdities of society's structures and laws; philosophy and morality; coastal Maryland and boating on the Chesapeake. Barth's later works are longer and much more intricate, so TFO is very much like Beethoven's first symphony: a simpler work than his later masterpieces, but which still shows definite signs of genius, originality, and timelessness.
The storyline, like Barth's other works, is quirky and highly original. It describes the lead-up to an event that, because of the way the book was written (in the first person), the reader knows cannot have taken place. Barth openly explains the disjointed nature of the book's structure (which is just one way that the floating opera of the title is important to the story), and everything holds together in the end.
TFO's protagonist, Todd Andrews, is a lawyer who has developed a detached, cynical view of the world. His mentality is perfect for his profession, and he wins his cases by crafting intricate technical loopholes that reduce his cases to absurdities. Thirty-five years before the Johnnie Cochran's poetic words in the O.J. Simpson trial, Barth prophetically describes a similar situation of the "bon mot" winning out over the "mot juste". But this is just one of the amusing vignettes in TFO. Barth also describes the challenges of an open love triangle, different ways to approach old age and death, the drawbacks of various outlooks on life, and an intense father-son relationship. Comic relief is never too far away, especially when the various crusty old men in the book are speaking.
"The End of the Road" shares a central plot element (a love triangle) with "The Floating Opera", but in TEOTR the relationship is about as far from consensual as can be, and as a result TEOTR is a very different, even more powerful story. Barth crams a lot of substance into TEOTR, and it succeeds on multiple levels: as a compelling story with much for the reader to ponder, as a political statement (John Irving appears to me to have been inspired by the ending of TEOTR in his acclaimed "Cider House Rules"), and as applied philosophy, with religious undertones.
"In a sense, I am Jacob Horner," states Jacob Horner, the Barthian hero/anti-hero of TEOTR, at the very beginning of the story, but who is Jacob Horner (or whom does he represent)? Jacob Horner may represent the ultimate modern man, a person who rejects objective, absolute truths in favor of relativism, and who is so imbued with knowledge that he can see all sides of any argument, contradiction or paradox. At times Horner is completely paralyzed from acting, and at almost all other times his actions are timid to the extreme, such that he relies on "the Doctor", who prescribes nonsensical therapies to get Horner to take action, any action. Horner's thought process has many parallels in today's society, especially leaders who can't make up their minds and waffle on the issues. Horner suggests he may be the devil, but his logical thought process (his ability to see and accept opposite qualities in others, as in a love/hate relationship) suggests the "shades of gray", fuzzy logic thinking prevalent at all levels of modern society.
Joe Morgan, Horner's colleague, also believes only in relative values, and has even more formal education than Horner, but he has devised a philosophy which he believes tells him how to act in all situations. Morgan, whom Horner suggests may be God, is the "black and white" thinker in contrast to Horner's gray, but his philosophy has holes that become obvious to all but him at the end.
TEOTR, while not Barth's greatest work, is everything a great piece of literature should be. Barth creates fascinating characters drawn from the fabric of modern society, puts them through episodes of high drama, and produces outcomes that provide the fodder for debate about just what it all means.
One of the great American comic novels--with a twist!!.......2003-06-03
I discovered this book by happy accident more years ago than I like to remember, but I read it once about every six months and EVERY TIME I find a new pun or joke that I hadn't noticed before. Incidentally, the start-and-stop narrative style isn't as influenced by Joyce as it is by the novel Epitaph of a Small Winner by Joachim Machado de Assis, which is out of print...Also, check out The Sot-Weed Factor by Barth, which is absolutely one of the greatest, funniest and deepest novels ever written by an
American! Read ALL his books--they're fantastic!!!
The Satire of a Genius.......2002-01-06
...John Barth is, without a doubt, a brilliant, witty, creative and original writer. Sometimes he is just too brilliant and original for most of the book buying public. Happily, this isn't the case with his first two books, The Floating Opera and The End of the Road.
Both The Floating Opera and The End of the Road concern love triangles of sorts, but each is developed in quite a different manner. While The Floating Opera is funny and rather light, The End of the Road is black comedy of the highest order, and in my opinion at least, it is the far superior book. I think it showcases Barth's genius in marvelous ways, with characterization and dialogue being two of the best. In both books, however, Barth is so dead-on with his artifice and eccentricity that we have to laugh at our own recognition of ourselves, reflected in his twisted characters and their strange goings-on.
In both books, Barth's characters seem to be searching for something, though what they are searching for is not made exactly clear. It could be good vs. evil, love vs. hate, war vs. peace, yet ultimately, after each character becomes ensnared in a mesh of confusion and confabulation from which he or she seems unable to extricate himself, the search is narrowed to the simple meaning of existence (or non-existence as the case may be). There are no absolutes in either book, making them all the more confusing for some, but all the more enjoyable for others.
Barth, himself, seems to be an author whose message is simple--the world is going straight to hell and we are going with it, so why not have a laugh on ourselves now and then? There really isn't much else to do.
I am afraid this review has not done The Floating Opera and The End of the Road justice, but how does an ordinary reader do justice to genius such as Barth's? I recommend all intelligent readers to buy this book, read it, enjoy it, savor it. Laugh at yourself as you laugh at Barth's characters. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. After all, there isn't much else to do.
Two takes on the same grim story.......1999-12-14
Of these two novels I believe The End of the Road is the superior. Shorter and with a clearer narrative thrust, Barth manages to achieve a real classical tragedy using only the common material of immature domestic conflict. More 'serious writing' has gone into The Floating Opera but the emotional impact is blunted, one suspects, because of that. Perhaps more editing and rewriting and less demonstration of the 'writer's art' would have made it as powerful a novel as The End of the Road.
The End of the Road is one tough little book. It is a simple story that could have been pure empty soap opera but instead manages to rise above its material and carries quite a punch. Much more deserving of being read than most of Barth's later work.
Book Description
With just the right blend of laughter and romance, Geralyn Dawson weaves an air of enchantment in her tales of old-time Texas, with characters who charm their way right into our hearts. Now she pairs a handsome thief and an unconventional beauty to search for treasure -- and follow the trail of adventure known as love....
SHE'S UP TO HER EARS...
Soaking in a therapeutic mud bath, Maggie St. John suddenly finds herself snuggled up against the slickest thief in Texas, Gentleman Rafe Malone. Raised by pirate "grandfathers" to be a lady, Maggie would prefer a more trustworthy man to help recover a treasure hidden years before. But with time and cash in short supply, she'll do anything to protect her "papas" and save their spa on Lake Bliss -- even put her fortune and future in the hands of a notorious rogue.
HE'S HEAD OVER HEELS.
Rafe Malone retired from a life of crime to raise horses, though sometimes he misses the excitement of a good escapade. So when a band of elderly pirates makes him a provocative offer, he's game...and he's captivated by their vivacious ward, Maggie St. John. Soon Rafe is swimming an underground river hunting hidden riches -- and trying to figure out just how to hold on to his hide and steal the most valuable pirate's prize of all...Maggie's heart.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent follow-up - wonderful to revisit some characters!.......2005-10-16
We have learned of some of Luke Prescot's guilt in the Wedding Raffle - now we get to understand some of Rafe Malone's guilt and why he has come to honor his given word so strongly.
Now meet 4 rascally pirates:Captain Benjamin Scovall, who appears to be the leader,Cutless Gus Thomas, Snake MacKenzie and Lucky Nichols. Are they lost, so far away from the Gulf of Mexico? You should love the pithy language these 4 aged pirates come up with.
And all for the good of Mary Margaret St. John, the little girl that they have raised. Now at 25 she seems to be shedding the proper lady attitude that they have tried to engrain in her. But she loves these old gentlemen and wants to help reclaim their hidden treasure.
Rafe is ready for some blood tingling adventure, but can he help these men and still honor his word to Luke.
Rafe has invaded the East Texas domain of the Texas Rangers and Nick Callahan, who wants to hang him. What is their secret?
Is Rafe caught red handed stealing from Andrew Montgomery?
And who is Drew? Seems to be a compatriot of the 4 pirates.
Well Maggie wanted to surrender herself to Rafe and he obliged.
[the twit] Rafe also stole her heart - boy is he in trouble.
Mud baths, hot springs - all good for what ails you.
Quite an enjoyable story - wonder if Nick gets one?
DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED -M - great set of stories.
A Little too Sappy Sweet for Me..........2000-08-22
Although I enjoyed the reading about the history of Texas and the exotic places in the book (they are some of my favorites too), this book was just too predictable and syrupy sweet for my tastes. It was an easy, light read and the characters at least weren't so hard headed you wanted to kick them, but things just wrapped up too nicely at the end. I guess , I've been reading too many mysteries and romantic suspense novels to appreciate this book. The only thing I wish she would have explained(being a Texan myself), is how Luke Prescott went to the Alamo and survived? Maybe that was explained in the first novel , "A Wedding Raffle", which I haven't read.
Wonderful blend of romance and humor!.......2000-08-15
Gentleman Rafe Malone comes from the pages of "The Wedding Raffle" as the sexy, quirky former thieving friend of Luke Prescotts and starts his own brand of heat when he meets Mary Margaret St. John in this wonderful sequel to "Raffle". And yes, Luke, Honor and the funny Luella return in "Ransom".
I believe the author, Geralyn Dawson, is going to keep weaving her magic until she's in the top ten list of romance writers. She just gets better and better!
I Loved it!!.......1998-08-31
Geralyn Dawson's The Wedding Ransom is truely heart warming story. "Gentleman" Rafe Malone is a fantastic hero and at one time he was the slickest theif in Texas. I've never seen anyone with four grandfathers and each one has a personality of their own. This book is heart warming, lovely, and with some funny scenes added into make a light hearted read that you won't want to put down.
A keeper to be reread over & over again!.......1998-07-07
Ms. Dawson writes from the heart. She makes you want more, and leaves you waiting impatiently for the next book to come out. While waiting it is nice to reread the others again and again. It is nice to find out what happens to the people you meet in other stories.
Customer Reviews:
Not worth the price.......2006-12-13
I can't believe two other reviewers gave this book five stars. They must be easy to please as readers. When I started the first story, "King's Ransom" by Diana Palmer, I thought perhaps my book was missing the first chapter. The story starts out by mentioning characters who hadn't been introduced, and events that hadn't been described. I think perhaps some of these characters had met in another of Palmer's books. (I hate when authors do that... they want to introduce new readers to characters from other books they've written, but it only confuses and puts off these new readers, as it does to me.)
The second story, "A Prince of a Guy," starts out with an interesting premise: a thoroughly American woman (altho perhaps a bit too stereotypically "Brooklyn") finds out she's distantly related to the royal family of a small principality. Also, strangely enough, she's a dead ringer for the current royal princess. However, that's where the wheels fall off the bus, as the story devolves into predictable territory: princess is missing (in this case, kidnapped) and--surprise, surprise!--the American woman is convinced to impersonate the royal. Yawn. Been there, read that.
I haven't even started the 3rd story yet; hopefully it'll redeem this book. :-\
The first story by itself makes it worth it........2001-10-21
I actually got this book at a sale at the local library for a dime. The first story really does make the entire thing worth it. I found myself wishing I could be in the heroine's shoes. It's a lovely book for those of us who want to believe in fairy tales. Who wouldn't want to be swept off her feet by a charming prince (or king in one case)?
Royal Weddings.......2001-03-02
Royal Weddings consist of King's Ransom by Diana Palmer, A Prince Of A Guy by Kathleen Korbel & Every Night At Eight by Marion Smith Collins.
I got my copy of Royal Weddings thanks to Amazon's out-of-print service.
The stories, or rather just my favourite story alone--King's Ransom, makes it well worth its price.
In King's Ransom,Brianna Scott, your ordinary girl-next-door, absolutely detests "foreign dignitary" Ahmed Bin Rashid. She threw a paper weight at him.
Unknown to Brianna, this overbearing "dignitary" is actually a King. One whom terrorists are after.
Sparks flew, Diana Palmer style, when His Royal Majesty is forced to live with Brianna for the duration till the terrorists are caught.
I absolutely adore the culture shock HRM encounters. Especially when it comes to food.
"Tell her to stop shoving oblong containers of suspicious meat wrapped in buns at me!"
"Hotdogs..."
Diana's characterisation is absolutely wonderful. One couldn't help but wish to be in Brianna's shoes...
A great story not to be missed. Enjoy,...that is, if you can get a copy!!
I find A Prince Of A Guy a bit like the story of The Prince & The Pauper. Casey Phillips from Brooklyn bears a remarkable resemblance to the kidnapped Princess Cassandra...
When Prince Eric von Lieberhaven, a real dishy kind of guy, asks Casey to stand in temporary for the real Princess,...things start to get interesting.
I enjoy the changes that Casey made whilst being a temporary princess. Casey's gleeful anticipation of the real Princess Cassandra's surprise/shock upon her return to the palace is a joy to read. It left me grinning.
In contrast, Every Night At Eight seems a bit tame. Not much of ups and downs. Selena Mastron, a sophisticated woman from an ancient family was deemed to be a suitable bride for Nicholas Sabre, King turned President.
A country in transition, they need to make both the country's democracy and their marriage work. But how to balance demanding state "careers" and a marriage ? Why, by making an appointment, of course. Every Night At Eight!!
Average customer rating:
- Good escapist fare
- SNAFU
- Great Series, Mediocre Entry.
- 34th FIST Marine, always an entertainment
- Toyful wha.....?????
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Steel Gauntlet (Starfist, Book 3)
David Sherman , and
Dan Cragg
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Blood Contact (Starfist, Book 4)
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School of Fire (Starfist, Book 2)
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Technokill (Starfist, Book 5)
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Hangfire (Starfist, Book 6)
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Kingdom's Swords (Starfist, Book 7)
ASIN: 034542526X
Release Date: 1998-12-26 |
Book Description
"Marines ain't supposed to sit. We're supposed to kill."
After the resource-rich planet Diamunde is seized by the armed forces of industrialist Marston St. Cyr, the Confederation Marines face their most desperate battles yet against the mechanized forces of the bloody usurper. Promised a walkover by military planners, instead the Marines must run a gauntlet of steel, with weaponry three hundred years out of date.
For the Confederation's invasion army to seize the planet, the Marine FISTs first have to secure a planethead against St. Cyr's much larger forces which are equipped with superior weapons. Together with their outgunned comrades, the Marines of 34th FIST must do the impossible--or die . . .
Customer Reviews:
Good escapist fare.......2007-09-09
One thing I like about this series is how each book is different from the others. The portrayals of military life are good, and the foibles of the high brass are well played out. Good sense of humor where needed.
Books are rather gorey, so not for the faint of heart.
But lots of fun. Good for a quick weekend read.
SNAFU.......2005-08-06
I enjoyed the first two installments of the Starfist series. They were not my very favorites but they did keep my attention. I guess that's why I'm a bit disappointed with this installment. It seemed a "situation normal" type of read. It was a fair story and kept my attention but did not do so to the degree that the earlier two did. Since there are many more left to go in the series, there is still hope.
In this story, the 34th FIST is deployed as part of a larger force in a full scale war against a planet led by a maniacal sadist who has reinvented the doctrine of armored warfare. These jarheads are going to fight tanks, something they have not trained to do in several centuries. The marines are to make an opposed landing, establish a "planethead" and hold for relief by the army. The overall commander is a political admiral who has a talent for making bad choices. A major bad choice is the site of the landing. Things just get worse when the army fails to reinforce the marines on schedule. That's bad enough but, when corrupt politicians get their oars in the water, things really go to hell. As I said to begin with, Situation Normal, All Fouled Up or SNAFU.
I still plan on reading the rest of the series but it is not as high on my priority list as it was.
Great Series, Mediocre Entry........2004-06-23
As much as I like the Starfist Series, Steel Gauntlet is probably the worse book in the series, for the reason mentioned by nzjohn in his review. After Sherman and Cragg go to great lengths to prove that MBTs are obsolete, their villain has to make an elementary mistake (one that the very research into military history that led him to build tanks in the first place would almost certainly have prevented) to keep the "useless" panzers from wiping out our heroes. Feels like the authors got two-thirds of the way through the story and then realized that they'd screwed up. Read through this one quickly.
34th FIST Marine, always an entertainment.......2002-05-31
34th FIST Marine have a real challenge with the armor division from Diamunde. They are in competition against a force that is superior to them and are going in a the tip of the sword with old weapon. Amazing and riveting as the storyline goes. It might be a bit slow to start but once started, it gets hot.
Toyful wha.....?????.......2002-05-13
Trouble is brewing(isn't it always) a rouge general general has resected a force rarly seen on the battlefield of the 25th century..tanks. Dean Claypole, George Bass and the rest of the 34th FIST are called in to help. This is not a particularly good book, but it is fun to read great on a plane or trian reading.
Product Description
Military Science Fiction: Marines in action in the 25th Century -- with a difference:
It's from the point of view of the enlisted men doing the fighting!
Average customer rating:
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Starfist Series: First to Fight, School of Fire, Steel Gauntlet, Blood Contact, Technokill, Hangfire, Kingdom's Sword, Kingdom's Fury, Lazarus Rising, A World of Hurt, Flashfire (Set of 11 Sci-Fi Novels)
David Sherman , and
Dan Cragg
Manufacturer: Del-Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000UZHKBM |
Product Description
It's the 25th century, but the Marines are still looking for a few good men ....
Amazon.com
Author Wayne Teasdale believes that we're entering the "Interspiritual Age," when a new civilization will be formed--a global culture based on common spiritual values. "Such a universal society will draw its inspiration from perennial spiritual and moral insights, intuitions, and experiences," Teasdale predicts. Throughout this ambitious book, Teasdale examines the world's religions and highlights the underlying beliefs and yearnings that will ultimately link humankind.
Nonetheless, Teasdale is also a proponent of spiritual diversity, urging readers to protect and study their own indigenous religions (or in many cases the religions of their childhoods) before rejecting them. In his glowing introduction, the Dalai Lama also speaks to the importance of preserving religions while simultaneously joining forces to create a more spiritually evolved and compassionate planet. In his final chapters, Teasdale offers ideas for cultivating a more spiritual life. Although his suggestions aren't startlingly original ("Gravitate toward silence," "Always leave the door of hope wide open.") they are tried and true and well worth the reader's time and investment. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
Drawing on experience as an interreligious monk, Brother Wayne Teasdale reveals the power of spirituality and its practical elements. He combines a profound Christian faith with an intimate understanding of ancient religious traditions.
Customer Reviews:
Inter-Spiritual with Action Plans!.......2007-05-07
I enjoyed reading how well-versed this earthly monk is concerning major religions. He offers a unique perspective on the role of love and kindness in widely different religious practices.
I suppose his greatest contribution to the individual reader is that he guides you in what it takes in character development to become more mystical in one's own heart. Not a book to be taken lightly - if you would reconcile your spiritual practice to those of the masters of love and kindness!
In Memoriam.......2004-11-02
Wayne Teasdale passed away unexpectedly a few days ago.
The Mystic Heart is not heavy reading, but somewhat of a mysticism/interspirituality primer, more descriptive than prescriptive. It is certainly comprehensive and good for familiarizing oneself with the basic elements of mysticism and interspirituality, but it does not contain much practical guidance. The glossary is is fair. The recommended reading list is great.
How we can be one.......2002-11-04
The Second Vatican Council issued a document called Nostrae Aetate, which called for dialogue among all religions in terms of prayer and spirituality. The Cistercians and Benedictines were commissioned to lead this dialogue. Since that time there have been cross spiritual or interspiritual dialogue among Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems and others. Wayne Teasdale is a Benedictine monk who has spent considerable time studying the religions of the east. In this book he writes of the different emphases of these religions as well as their commonality. He maintains that spirituality is the work of all religions and cultures. He blends insights from spiritual masters of the east and west. For Christians, Teasdale notes how some practices in eastern religions match those of Christianity. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is much the same as the eastern practice of being one with God in compassion. The united presence of all people and God relates to the Cathgolic devotion to the Eucharist.
Teasdale calls not for a bland homogenous spirituality, but one which does not cultural accretions to blind people to the beauty of prayer, devotions and mysticism available to all. This movement is not a denial of a particular religion, but a way in which all religions can benefit. Additionally, one can find support from one's own tradition. And yet receive insight from another that enhances one's own. This book offers hope that spirituality can unite humankind, not divide.
A Mystic's View.......2002-07-27
As one who practices in the mystic tradition of dzogchen, I greatly appreciate the insight and effort of Teasdale to articulate a universal perspective of spirituality. I share his approach to integrating core understandings of the great traditions and his desire to transcend (though not eliminate) differences. Far from "tedious," as one reviewer saw it, I thought that it was well written and easy to follow. Two reviewers criticized the book for failing to articulate each of the various traditions' or mystics' perspectives. They are correct. It does not. Yet that is not his purpose. There are other sources if that is what one is seeking. Rather, he is illustrating the interspirituality found in these diverse mystical traditions. Granted that his perspective is colored by his own Catholic tradition, but he is clearly open to and appreciative of what other traditions bring to the table. I thoroughly enjoyed the the book, one of the best I have read outside of those in my own tradition (my own bias showing here
), and I highly recommend it!
Tedious and didactic.......2002-07-12
When Teasdale speaks of his own mystic encounters, he is interesting. But that is a small percentage of the book. His overview of how mysticim figures in the world's religions is also of interest, particularly if you are not very familiar with Hinduism. But apart from Hindu and Christian, he seems to be looking at everything else from quite a distance, so that we never get much of a feel for what Jewish or Islamic mysticism look or feel like.
His description of the natural mysticism of American Indians works well only because he never goes into any depth or details. He can talk lightly on one page about harm no sentient life, and then on the next page extol American Indians as paragons of virtue, with no comment on the fact that they were hunters and warriors for the most part.
My main complaint is that he seems overly-impressed with the ability of the group that he's a part of (Parliament of World Religions) to change the world. A United Nations-type committee to bring about world mystical harmony is more or less absurd to my mind.
Teasdale gives us too many generalities and too many lists of virtues and guidelines. There is a sermonizing quality to much of what he says, a desire to be moralize.
Also, his bottom line seemed to be that Christian mysticism leads to union with Love itself, while some other forms of mysticism lead to a state that is compassionate and blissful but may also be experienced as Void. To me this indicates that Christianity is a step beyond earlier mystic insights (although it has not done as well in leading people to follow Christ to this end-point). But Teasdale seems far more critical of Christianity than he does of Hinduism and other traditions. He says, for example, "Christian mysticism has always rejected the body, as evidenced by the extreme asceticism of Francis of Assisi. He spent a good deal of time fasting, sometimes praying all night on his knees. His poor body was a victim of his piety!....The East has its equivalent ascetical hardships on the body, but has also managed to understand that the body can be beneficial to the spiritual journey."
Well, Francis of Assisi may have been hard on his body, but praying all night on your knees is nothing compared to the extreme ascetical practices still followed in Hinduism, where men spend years with one arm held over their heads or standing on their feet day and night for years. And it is simply untrue that Christian mysticism as a whole flatly rejects the body. The Mystical Marriage, with its erotic overtones, is the primary Christian mystical metaphor.
F. C. Happold's book entitled Mysticism is superior to Teasdale's in allowing the mystic traditions to speak for themselves and also in providing a framework for understanding what they have to say. Another book called Mystics, Masters, Saints and Sages also is more valuable in actually allowing mystics of various traditions and no traditions at all to speak of their vision.
One other complaint: Teasdale's question about psycho-active drugs/plants is worth raising, but his answer misses the point. If a state of mind similar to a mystical state can be induced by peyote, for example, the question is: doesn't this suggest that mystical states are physiologically caused? He never confronts this question.
Books:
- The Hearing Trumpet
- The Magic Life - A Novel Philosophy
- The Rock Orchard: A Novel
- The Rough Guide to Spain (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
- The Serpent in the Garden: A Novel
- The Testament of Yves Gundron
- The Time In Between: A Novel
- The Tinsmith's Helper and Pattern Book: With Useful Rules, Diagrams and Tables
- The Town Beyond the Wall: A Novel
- Tokyo Cancelled
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Winning
- Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living
- La Novela de Perón
- Laura Bush: An Intimate Portrait of the First Lady
- Messies Manual, The: A Complete Guide to Bringing Order & Beauty to Your Home
- Nonlinear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations of Vector Fields
- Scandalous Lovers
- Prince William: A Journey To The Throne
- International Tax Issues Relating to Globalization: Congressional Hearing
- The Sun Still Shone: Professors Talk about Retirement
Lost in the Funhouse (The Anchor Literary Library)
Chimera
The Sot-Weed Factor (The Anchor Literary Library)
Giles Goat Boy (The Anchor Literary Library)
The Crying of Lot 49 (Perennial Fiction Library)
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