Best Biographies of Judaism
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” ( Los Angeles Times ) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus, from the host of Believer Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. A vivid, persuasive portrait.” — Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.” — San Francisco Chronicle “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power “Compulsively readable . Q. Yours is one of the few popular biographies of Jesus of Nazareth that does not rely on the gospels as your primary source of information for uncovering Jesus’ life. A. I certainly rely on the gospels to provide a narrative outline to my biography of Jesus of Nazareth, but my primary source in recreating Jesus’ life are historical writings about first century Palestine, like the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, as well as Roman documents of the time. In other words, the gospels tell us about Jesus the Christ, not Jesus the man. To get to the bottom of that mystery, which is what I try to do in the book, one must sift through the gospel stories to analyze their claims about Jesus in light of the historical facts we know about the time and world in which Jesus lived. But the more I read the Bible – especially in college, where I began my formal study of the New Testament – the more I uncovered a wide chasm between the Jesus of history and the Jesus I learned about in church. But the irony is that once I detached my academic study of Jesus from my faith in Christ, I became an even more fervent follower of Jesus of Nazareth. So in a way, this book is my attempt to spread the good news of Jesus the man with the same passion that I once applied to spreading the good news of Jesus the Christ. The key to understanding who Jesus was and what Jesus meant lies in understanding the times in which he lived. Aslan, who authored the much acclaimed No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, offers a compelling argument for a fresh look at the Nazarene, focusing on how Jesus the man evolved into Jesus the Christ. Approaching the subject from a purely academic perspective, the author parts an important curtain that has long hidden from view the man Jesus, who is every bit as compelling, charismatic, and praiseworthy as Jesus the Christ. Carefully comparing extra-biblical historical records with the New Testament accounts, Aslan develops a convincing and coherent story of how the Christian church, and in particular Paul, reshaped Christianity's essence, obscuring the very real man who was Jesus of Nazareth.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There's nothing in this book that would surprise a person (like myself) who has read pretty much all of the accessible scholarship on Jesus published in the last 30 or so years. 2) Aslan takes the position that Jesus was a zealot for God and God's Temple, but (and this is repeated several times in the book) he was not a member of the Zealot Party, which wouldn't arise until over 30 years after Jesus' death. 3) Aslan doesn't stop with the death of Jesus, and, as someone writing history, not hagiography, he carefully notes that he can't pass judgment on whether Jesus' resurrection occurred, because it is not a historical event but an event of faith. (For example, Luke 16:19 points out that the rich man in Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus wore purple and fine linen and all four gospels are agreed that Jesus was buried in linen.). Moreover, if Aslan was pushing Islam, you'd think that he'd make a point of saying, "Well, Islam considers Jesus a prophet," but he doesn't."
"I read this book primarily because some of the negative reviews were so hysterical in their fear that I was curious what the big deal is. His job as an academic is to present a thesis, develop it based on both evidence and his theories of meaning and then let the reading community judge it."
"Once I began reading it, I could not put this book down."
"If you've gone to seminary, you are probably aware of everything in this book."
"Well written and provides the reader with a great background on the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth."
"An interesting book apparently well researched by a religion scholar."
Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor--a reformed drug dealer and convict--who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof. Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Albom observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat. He brings his two clergymen-protagonists-an elderly rabbi from Albom's home synagogue and an African-American pastor leading a ministry to Detroit's homeless population-to vivid life and conveys their messages of faith with sensitivity and respect. From the ail-ing Jewish leader breaking out into whimsical songs in the middle of his grueling medical treatments and his Christian counterpart savoring the joys of barbecuing, Albom's characterizations brim with humor and compassion.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The characters surrounding Henry were well developed but not as well developed for the those surrounding the Rabbi."
"I read this book in one sitting, it has left such an impression on me."
"This is a great true story."
"I love Mr. Albom's books and this one is right up there, making me look, again, at my faith and my relationships."
"This true story from the author's personal experience is touching, engrossing, humorous, poignant and inspiring."
"A must read."
"An easy read, affirming our ability to grow and change and become other- centered.... especially if we have faith.Today's culture seems to be trying to eliminate religious faith... this book re -enforces the essential value personally, and collectively of a faith based life."
"The author tried to capture him in his little book and did well, however Rabbi Lewis' story could be made into a novel right until the end when those present at his funeral heard his OWN words. Detroit Paster Covington's tale truly tells the story of how one can move up from his darkest side."
Named one of "forty-three books to read before you die" by the Independent (UK). 2015 National Jewish Book Award Winner. 2016 Winner of the GLCA New Writers Award in Nonfiction. One of Star Magazine's "Fab 5 Can't-Miss Entertainment Picks". A moving and revealing exploration of Hasidic life, and one man's struggles with faith, family, and community. “With this book Deen has laid to rest the idea that a Hasid from New Square could never become a great writer in English, or an articulate chronicler of his own experiences.” ― The New Republic. “In this moving book, Deen lays bare his difficult, muddled wrestling with his faith, the challenges it posed to everything he thought he knew about himself, and the hard-won redemption he eventually found.” ― Library Journal. “I understand that even if I did visit New Square I would have no greater access to Hasidic life than my occasional walk through Williamsburg, where I can see but can't penetrate its appeal, or its secrets. It is the book's ticket to mass appeal as well as the seat of his disquiet in its writing.Though he writes because he has a story to tell, Deen's work, especially in his memoir, is clearly crafted to benefit others dealing with a wavering faith.” ― Tablet Magazine. All Who Go Do Not Return gives us not only an insider's glimpse into a shrouded world few outsiders get to see, but also a movingly told narrative of one man's struggle toward intellectual integrity. The setting may be the world of Hasidic Judaism, but the drama and the insights are universal.” ―Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction. “ All Who Go Do Not Return is a deeply honest and moving story about a man's decision to do something both so simple and so radical - to live in accordance with his own beliefs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"[SPOILER ALERT: I found it difficult to write this review without discussing some of the major aspects and events of the book. Moreover, it has intrinsic interest because it opens the door to the inner sanctum of the insular, Skverer Chassidic community located in New Square, New York. (For those who are not in the know, this moniker cuts a large swath, describing anyone from the most liberal Jewish Orthodoxy--just to the right of Conservative--to a graduate of Yeshiva University's rabbinical school. For most of us that live in the United States, we tend to think of communities like New Square as quaint, anachronistic, recreations of the Eastern European shtetl. Hasidim who live in places like New Square, the Amish, the Hutterites, and other similar types of communities have their joys but also have their strife. As we see with Deen's account, however, there is little wiggle room and those who do not fit in are destined suffer a life of repression or need to leave. In desperation, he resorts to moonlighting as an elementary school teacher and a tutor, jobs where it is expected to falsify documents so that he will get a paycheck cut by the government. He buys a car for a job and finds himself enjoying the forbidden radio and driving outside of New Square, exploring a vast new world. He has had glimpses of the outside world, but has lived within the Hasidic community and is unacquainted with modern American social conventions and culture. Deen's wife, Gitty, makes a valiant attempt to stay loyal to her husband but she is too moored in the Skverer community to embrace a larger world. The account of his wedding night, where as a student he was learned in the Jewish laws of intimacy but completely ignorant of the actual physics of the act, is a perfect example of this. Nevertheless, even though Deen takes great pains to describe his experience in a distanced, journalistic way, he is unable to completely do so. This is, perhaps, the greatest strength of the book and the thing that makes it stand out from the crowd in what appears to be a new genre of non-fiction describing an authors 'escape' from ultra-orthodoxy. Some have questioned the truth of some of the claims in Feldman's book and Vincent actually came from a far less insular brand of Orthodoxy than Deen. Those who have a drum to beat on these issues will use the book as a way to reinforce their negative stereotypes of Hasidism and by extension Orthodox Judaism. For example, he is repeatedly dismissive of what he considers the triviality of Talmud study--for example having in depth knowledge of just exactly how to write a legally binding contract in 5th century Babylonia. Another interpretation, closely aligned to this, would be an admonishment against using one of the secret names of God to elevate one's soul to a higher level than one is able to tolerate. It makes sense that a more modern interpretation might be used as leverage to deter people from secular culture or philosophy, but that seems far flung from the original meaning of the story. Of course, given that Deen felt forced to adhere to Jewish law and tradition, he did lead a perfunctory existence that lacked any real soul. He mentions the portrayals of Hasidim by Martin Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Elie Wiesel and 'wincing' at how these authors 'romanticized' Hassidic life. It is ironic that such a problem exists within Hasidus today: that specific branch of Judaism was started in the late 1700s by Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer (known as the Baal Shem Tov or 'Good Master of the Name') specifically as a spiritualist backlash against the rationalist brand of Judaism practiced in Eastern Europe at the time. There are those in the Orthodox Jewish community who will want to censure Deen and will decry his book, but I think that this would be a grave mistake."
"Mr. Deen's writining, his use of words and their ability to move me was beautiful. I've always been curious about their lifestyle...traditions, culture, even wanting to ask questions many on a similar vein as Mr. Deen."
"I gave up on religion after starting to read the Bible , which to me is really a history of a people (whatever name one wants to attach to them) - so I could relate to the writer and his turmoil, in that he dared to think differently. The loss of his family was painful, the loss of his children and having to 'give up' the way of life that included his relationship with his children, one would think he was a child molester.....all because he could not accept what his religion was teaching - he dared to question!"
Best Biographies of Islam
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A lucid, intelligent page-turner” ( Los Angeles Times ) that challenges long-held assumptions about Jesus, from the host of Believer Two thousand years ago, an itinerant Jewish preacher walked across the Galilee, gathering followers to establish what he called the “Kingdom of God.” The revolutionary movement he launched was so threatening to the established order that he was executed as a state criminal. Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most enigmatic figures by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived. He explores the reasons the early Christian church preferred to promulgate an image of Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary. A vivid, persuasive portrait.” — Salon “This tough-minded, deeply political book does full justice to the real Jesus, and honors him in the process.” — San Francisco Chronicle “A special and revealing work, one that believer and skeptic alike will find surprising, engaging, and original.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power “Compulsively readable . Q. Yours is one of the few popular biographies of Jesus of Nazareth that does not rely on the gospels as your primary source of information for uncovering Jesus’ life. A. I certainly rely on the gospels to provide a narrative outline to my biography of Jesus of Nazareth, but my primary source in recreating Jesus’ life are historical writings about first century Palestine, like the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, as well as Roman documents of the time. In other words, the gospels tell us about Jesus the Christ, not Jesus the man. To get to the bottom of that mystery, which is what I try to do in the book, one must sift through the gospel stories to analyze their claims about Jesus in light of the historical facts we know about the time and world in which Jesus lived. But the more I read the Bible – especially in college, where I began my formal study of the New Testament – the more I uncovered a wide chasm between the Jesus of history and the Jesus I learned about in church. But the irony is that once I detached my academic study of Jesus from my faith in Christ, I became an even more fervent follower of Jesus of Nazareth. So in a way, this book is my attempt to spread the good news of Jesus the man with the same passion that I once applied to spreading the good news of Jesus the Christ. The key to understanding who Jesus was and what Jesus meant lies in understanding the times in which he lived. Aslan, who authored the much acclaimed No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, offers a compelling argument for a fresh look at the Nazarene, focusing on how Jesus the man evolved into Jesus the Christ. Approaching the subject from a purely academic perspective, the author parts an important curtain that has long hidden from view the man Jesus, who is every bit as compelling, charismatic, and praiseworthy as Jesus the Christ. Carefully comparing extra-biblical historical records with the New Testament accounts, Aslan develops a convincing and coherent story of how the Christian church, and in particular Paul, reshaped Christianity's essence, obscuring the very real man who was Jesus of Nazareth.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There's nothing in this book that would surprise a person (like myself) who has read pretty much all of the accessible scholarship on Jesus published in the last 30 or so years. 2) Aslan takes the position that Jesus was a zealot for God and God's Temple, but (and this is repeated several times in the book) he was not a member of the Zealot Party, which wouldn't arise until over 30 years after Jesus' death. 3) Aslan doesn't stop with the death of Jesus, and, as someone writing history, not hagiography, he carefully notes that he can't pass judgment on whether Jesus' resurrection occurred, because it is not a historical event but an event of faith. (For example, Luke 16:19 points out that the rich man in Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus wore purple and fine linen and all four gospels are agreed that Jesus was buried in linen.). Moreover, if Aslan was pushing Islam, you'd think that he'd make a point of saying, "Well, Islam considers Jesus a prophet," but he doesn't."
"I read this book primarily because some of the negative reviews were so hysterical in their fear that I was curious what the big deal is. His job as an academic is to present a thesis, develop it based on both evidence and his theories of meaning and then let the reading community judge it."
"Once I began reading it, I could not put this book down."
"If you've gone to seminary, you are probably aware of everything in this book."
"Well written and provides the reader with a great background on the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth."
"An interesting book apparently well researched by a religion scholar."
Best Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) Biographies
For the many Christians who have experienced pain, loss, and heartache at the hands of other believers, this compelling story offers comfort, healing, and hope. He has written biblical fiction covering nearly the entire Bible, with titles that include the following: The Beginning, The Escape, The Birth, The Divine Romance, The Triumph, Revolution, The Silas Diary, The Titus Diary, The Timothy Diary, The Priscilla Diary, The Gaius Diary, and The Return.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I would like a life filled with breakthroughs, victories and peace but apparently the Man Upstairs has other plans....to which I'll submit."
"Good book that helps understand Godly leadership as reflected in the relationship between Saul, David and Absalom."
"This book challenges you and makes you think!"
"love this book could not put it down.. completely finished it in 2 days...very mind opening...makes you ask questions."
"All three tales are both inspiring, pondering, humbling, and if you allow them, life-changing."
"I really like Edwards expression of the biblical events surrounding these three kings of Israel."
"I love the way the characters are developed."
"One of the greatest books of all times."
Best Biographies of Buddhism
A new edition of the landmark, worldwide bestseller on the life of the famed medical clairvoyant and founding father of the New Age: Edgar Cayce. Thomas Sugrue (1907-1953) was a widely respected world-traveling journalist who wrote for many of the nation's leading newspapers and magazines. Mitch Horowitz is a PEN Award-winning author who has also written for Science of Mind, New Dawn, Parabola, Fortean Times , and the Religion News Service.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Fascinating book that covers Cayce's entire life as well as some of his incredible findings as a psychic/prophet in the medical, psychical, metaphysical and astrological fields."
"This is a great book."
"I really enjoyed this book as I h e been a fan of Edgar Cayce for many years."
"A completely amazing book!"
"Love the book."
"The story of Edgar Cayce started my journey on a conscious path of self discovery and enlightenment."
"Both of these books are about Edgar Casey and his ability to heal people from far-off distances."
"I was introduced to Edgar Cayce books by my mother in the mid 80"s. I dedicated my own novel that I worked on for 26 years, Soul Seeker, to him as well as to my mother who has since passed."
Best Biographies of Hinduism
The Autobiography of a Yogi. The work is enduringly popular because it introduces millions of readers to Eastern spiritual thought. The yogi begins by showing how his childhood experiences in turn-of-the-century India produced a spiritual youth in search of an enlightened teacher, continues with an account of his years of training in the hermitage of a revered master, and concludes with the highlights of a period, beginning in 1920, during which he lived and taught in America.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I originally read the version with the blue cover which I found out later is apparently the one that wasn't edited after Yogananda's death. Many years later I repurchased this red cover version because it came with the free CD and I figured.. how different can it be?"
"This is the most excellent book i have ever read in my lifetime and i do read so many books on regular basis.this is the book that has changed the view and target of my life completely.if you have not read this book means every other book you read till now is a complete waste.i strongly urge every soul in human body on this earth to read this book.Human race owes so much to Yogananda ji for writing this book for us.so pls dont waste your life and do read this book."
"I thought that it was a very inspiring book."
"I have read this book on several occasions."
"This read taught me about a very interesting individual named Yogananda, The rich history of India, Science, Physics, Self realization even helping me understand the teachings of Jesus Christ with a renewed sense of understanding, and the over arching theme of the book which is the Oneness of Religion!!"
"This book is so awesome."
"His insights were remarkable, and the place he comes from when he is taking about spiritual subjects is one of knowing (as compared to one who is just rehashing facts). Although I remained somewhat skeptical of some of the stories for over 10 years, I finally came to the realization that every word in the book was true, and that "Here was a man who knew God." He has had a huge number of encounters with spiritual people of various faiths, and he talks in detail about them."
"I recommend that you read this book to get a glimpse into the Eastern/Indian philosophy and religious thought process."
Best Biographies of Catholicism
Colton, not yet four years old, told his parents he left his body during the surgery–and authenticated that claim by describing exactly what his parents were doing in another part of the hospital while he was being operated on. Retold by his father, but using Colton’s uniquely simple words, Heaven Is for Real offers a glimpse of the world that awaits us, where as Colton says, “Nobody is old and nobody wears glasses.”. To see a brand new note from Colton regarding the truth behind other "Heaven" stories, go to heavenlive.org/colton.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's a great story, and offers such encouragement to Christians and non-Christians alike. It offers explanations of the knotty questions most thoughtful people wrestle with: Why do bad things happen to good people? I found it refreshing that the narrator, a Christian preacher and pastor, had these same questions."
"This non-fiction account is provocative and reassuring that our spirits are destined to dwell in the kingdom of God as long as we cling to our faith in Him and accept Jesus Christ as His son."
"While the underlying story of Colton Burpo's brush with death; his parents' renewed faith in God's eternal plan; and a perspective of Heaven, death/dying, eternal life, Christ from the eyes of a child is truly inspiring - it is difficult not to take this story with a heavy dose of skepticism."
"Many of my friends and family have read this book and I had always meant to read it."
"When I finished reading it I weeped in love for Abba Father, our Lord Jesus and the Precious Holy Spirit. I feel as if The Burpos are my family and I am truly honored and glad they were so couragous in sharing this wonderful devine experience with the world. My heart is being lead to purchase more of these books and give this to my grandson and granddaughter and other children that God sends cross my path."
"I know heaven is real."
"This book may not be the best for you."
"Years later in my twenties I saw photo of grandma and told Mom and Dad it was grandma not the lady that lived next door. I cried and told them grandma has been watching over me."
Best Biographies of Christianity
By renovating homes in Waco, Texas, and changing lives in such a winsome and engaging way, Chip and Joanna have become more than just the stars of Fixer Upper , they have become America’s new best friends. Even back then Chip was a serial entrepreneur who, among other things, ran a lawn care company, sold fireworks, and flipped houses. The time Chip ran to the grocery store and forgot to take their new, sleeping baby Joanna’s agonizing decision to close her dream business to focus on raising their children When Chip buys a houseboat, sight-unseen, and it turns out to be a leaky wreck Joanna’s breakthrough moment of discovering the secret to creating a beautiful home Harrowing stories of the financial ups and downs as an entrepreneurial couple Memories and photos from Chip and Jo’s wedding The significance of the word magnolia and why it permeates everything they do The way the couple pays the popularity of Fixer Upper forward, sharing the success with others, and bolstering the city of Waco along the way. CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES are the founders of Magnolia Homes, Magnolia Market, and Magnolia Realty in Waco, Texas.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"They have overcome adversity and have built a life full of love, family, talent, professionalism keeping their faith first and foremost."
"Great reading couldn't put it down made me smile,laugh and see some things in life we all go through similar."
"I have been a huge fan of Joanna and Chip right from the very first show."
"This is a must read for all Fixer Upper fans."
"I found the back story of how the Gaines met, and got started, to be very interesting, and I would recommend this book to others … particularly someone who enjoys the TV show or has a passion for revitalization."
"Reading the history that led to "Fixer Upper" is fascinating, and it just makes me love the Gaineses and the show all the more. So The Magnolia Story is not a literary marvel, but it does appear to be true to who the authors are in real life (or at least on TV)."
"Chip and Joanna serve as role models for a marriage and individuals alike with their kind hearts and loving ways."
"I can't even imagine my husband making those kinds of decisions without my input, but their relationship comes off as very balanced despite these peculiarities."