A fascinating book with insights from many people across the centuries. TB-B has a remarkable way of putting into a few words the gist of all of the books in this one. He seems to understand the thread running through all of these writers and their writings. I would recommend this book not to those searching for enlightenment but to those who have had glimpses of it and are looking for confirmation of their experience.From St. Augustine to Rick Warren the teaching is the same and the task, in th...

Ahhhhh-mazing is perhaps the best way to describe this series. I am currently re-reading it and its amazing how these 50 spiritual classics can assist me in relating to anyone, and not just in some religious, spiritual sense. Yes, the format is not a novel but 10-12 minute vignettes (on my audio book series, extremely well narrated) but any and every kind of spirituality or NO SPIRITUALITY is available for the seeker. And these are sooooo diverse, from The Road to Mecca, to Black Elk Speaks, Car...

This book is a must read for anyone who's interested in spitituality. It opened my eyes to so many thing until I'm frustrated! I have a new respect for philosophy. There were 5 or 6 books that I'm going to read in the future because of this book! Very good book!

I have been reading this book chapter by chapter for 1 year. The book contains small chapter reviews on 50 wonderful people who have made a difference in this world either by social justice or their contribution to spirituality/religion. I recommend this book.

This book contains more wisdom than one might hear in a lifetime.Read the book with the intention of finding the spiritual book that suits you and you will love the book.

I liked the format of this a lot. Got a good summery of books and ideas, some that that I'll never end up reading but now have an understanding on, and some got put on my want to read list. I wish my library had more of these "50 Great Classics" series. I may end up breaking down and buying that Philosophy one.

Gandhi and Mother Theresa are two famous people I had heard of, but never read any of their works. The author allows me to access some of their stories, without the need to source books. When I look at the other 48 names in the contents, I dip in and get a brief, but informative idea of the theorists views, giving me the choice to either follow up or not.If you are looking for an overview of 50 spiritual classics, this is the book to read.

This is just a book filled with reviews of other books! Although the reviews are good. They are just a collection of reviews! personally I think spirituality is too personal for someone else to tell you what is good to read. A thing that touches one person, may not touch another. Hope you enjoy it if you get it!

What an excellent book, having read the 50 Self Help Classics I was looking forward to reading this one, I was not disappointed. I am fortunate I have plenty of time being retired, but these types of books are always best to read over a long period of time. Read a chapter digest and then another later. Some of them I read on several occasions. I do admit I did not quite understand some of the logic and thoughts, but then that's what I want "something to think about and ponder". Try it you will e...

Tom Butler-Bowden has found a real niche for himself with these books. I read the 50 psychology classics and found it was a great advert for some of the best titles in the field, while still offering a fair amount of substance. This one was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even as someone who's already read a fair few of the titles he summarises.

Muhammad Asad The Road To Mecca (1954)St Augustine Confessions (400)Richard Bach Jonathan Livingston Seagull1 (1970)Black Elk Black Elk Speaks (1932)Richard Maurice Bucke Cosmic Consciousness (1901)Fritjof Capra The Tao of Physics (1976)Carlos Castaneda Journey to Ixtlan (1972)GK Chesterton St Francis of Assisi (1922)Pema Chödrön The Places That Scare You (2001)Chuang Tzu The Book of Chuang Tzu (4th century BCE)Ram Dass Be Here Now (1971)Epictetus The Enchiridion (1st century)Mohandas Gandhi An

An impressive book for covering a wide array of philosophies from around the world and explaining each in easy to follow summaries. This is an effective introductory book which condenses core beliefs and the varying sects/ interpretations in each religion discussed and elaborates on how each individual applied and advocated for their points of view during their lifetime.

Since I was in high school, one of my hobbies has been to read and study religious and spiritual writings from all over the world throughout history. I have not studied all religions nor do I plan to, for I am not drawn to all religions. I study religions that I am interested in and fascinated by for their traditions, history and to build my own faith.I am very knowledgeable about several major religions traditions as well as many minor ones.All that said, though I am very firm in my own beliefs...

This was great. I've read a few of the books in this work, and I think they were described very well. What I really enjoyed was biographical information about each book's author. Essentially most spiritual works emphasis the same points: live simply, forgive, take time to reflect but live in the present, and reject materialism. I also read the 50 Psychology Classics by this author and liked it a lot. Both were very uplifting:)

Love these! I learn about the books and their authors and watch my reading list grow!

I have read 50 Philosophy Classics, also by Tom Bowdon, which I really enjoyed. I was surprised to find there was an addition to spirituality as well. Given my interest in religion, I thought that would be valuable and put some trust into it based on my previous good experience with the philosophy edition.I was initially very disappointed that most of the books was modern books about spirituality. Many topics, like science, are things that are hard to go back in history in a way that is still re...

This is a nice overview for those who are interested in books on spirituality. The author covers all the major religions with a heavy focus on modern New Age books. The author gives a basic summary of each book and autobiographical information which is perfect for my ADD. I also enjoyed the fact that the author describes the less-than-enlightened thinking of some of the authors.

If you have ever wondered what the spiritual best sellers of past and present decades have to teach you, 50 Spiritual Classics could provide the answers you are looking for.The third in a series by Tom Butler-Bowdon (considered an expert in personal development literature) 50 Spiritual Classics gives a fascinating glimpse at some of the great books that have stood the test of time.The works feature range from the lives of saints to autobiographies of modern inspirational leaders such as Gandhi a...

I thought this was going to be direct quotes or excerpts with the author expanding upon them, but it felt like one big rant. It was hard to follow and I could barely recognize which spiritual classic was being talked about at any one time.

In case it's not obvious, this book series essentially provides an overview of 50 spiritual classics. Note that these are not summaries, but rather more of a take from the author, which gives you a sense for what kind of book it is and what are the topics it deals with. Within this list you can find books reviewed from various religions and philosophies. I'd say that Christianity and Buddhism are the most represented, but there certainly are examples of spiritual books on the Jewish, Islamic and...