The idea here is to list books (or articles or websites etc) that people have found to be really useful. Where possible links will be made so that people can get their own copy (eg a URL or amazon reference number1. A few words of review would also be appreciated2.
If you do not feel comfortable with entering information on the page then put it in a comment (at the bottom of the page) and somebody else will enter it in the main text.
Dawkins, Richard
Dawkins, R. (2006). The God Delusion. London: Bantom Press. ISBN 0593055489
Review in Life and Work, March 2007 by Campbell Campbell-Jack
Harris, Sam
Harris, S. (2007). Letter to A Christian Nation: A challenge to faith. Transworld Publications. ISBN 0593058976
"One of the greatest challenges facing civilization in the twenty-first century is for human beings to learn to speak about their deepest personal concerns – about ethics, spiritual experience, and the inevitability of human suffering- in ways that are not flagrantly irrational."
In this powerful ‘letter’ to his fellow Americans Sam Harris presents a far less vituperative attack on Christianity than Richard Dawkins in works such as The God Delusion. Harris has successfully challenged the main tenets of Christian belief and doctrine. He uses carefully considered and convincing arguments to point out many of the contradictions and flaws within Christian belief.
Despite a tendency to assume the moral high ground, Christians are, Harris points out, in exactly the same position in relation other religions as atheists are towards Christianity. Harris uses this to broaden his debunking to all religions. Harris argues that religion, in whatever form, probably had an evolutionary function in uniting members of a community but now, in a global society is frighteningly divisive. Piety in any form deflects from the true morality of concentrating effort and resources on alleviating suffering. ’It is time that we admitted that faith is nothing more than the licence religious people give one another to keep on believing when reasons fail’.
Dawkins by his hectoring tone alienates, the irrefutable reasonableness of Harris convinces.
Grey Granite
Dass, Ram
Dass, R. (2000). Still Here - embracing aging, changing and dying. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0340793228
Amazon.co.uk Review After being introduced for a lecture, Ram Dass eschewed the stairs and, from his front row seat, leapt up on to the stage—or tried to, anyway, until age and gravity brought him crashing down to earth. Like other Baby Boomers, Ram Dass has learned the hard way that ageing is unkind. But he has also learned that it can be an opportunity for growth. While others begin to devalue older people, they will find that they can reconnect with the spiritual, grow into wisdom, and create value for themselves.
In Still Here, Ram Dass offers a philosophy for ageing that teaches how to diminish suffering despite the aches and pains and limitations of age. This is possible by stepping away from the ego-self into the soul-self, where thoughts and emotions can be witnessed and their effects evaluated. If ageing has brought challenges to Ram Dass, it has also brought him wisdom which, through his personal anecdotes and stories of others in the struggle against ageing, he shares with great generosity.
Epstein, Mark
Epstein, M. (1998) Going to pieces without falling apart - a Buddhist perspective on wholeness. Great Britain: Thorsons. ISBN 0722537948
For decades, Western psychology has promised fulfilment through building and strengthening the ego. The ideal has been to establish a strong sense of self, constructed and reinforced over a lifetime. But Buddhist psychiatrist Mark Epstein has found a different way. Epstein shows us that happiness doesn't come from acquiring this solid self. Instead he demonstrates, through moving case studies and reflections, how the only route to true happiness is letting go.
Weaving together the wisdom of two worlds - Buddhism and Western psychotherapy - Epstein encourages us to relax our ever-vigilant mind in order to experience the freedom that comes only from relinquishing control. Highly personal and engaging, Going to pieces without falling apart, shows us the path to a more peaceful and spiritually satisfying life.
James, William
James, W. (1902). The Varieties of Religious Experience. Penguin; ISBN 0140390340
This is a classic catalytic work which stands at the crossroads of psychology and religion. It is rooted in observations of actual, personal religious experiences. It is written in a plain talking way by the unpretentious, and much quoted and referenced William James the ground breaking American psychologist and philosopher.
"Religion, therefore, as I now ask you arbitrarily to take it, shall mean for us the feelings, acts and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine." p31
"Critics voted this among the best 100 books of the twentieth century. If you want insight into humanity's religious dimension, it should be your number one choice."
Koch, Richard
Koch, R. (2004). Living the 80/20 way. London:Nicholas Brealey. ISBN 1857883314
Amazon.co.uk Review If you knew that you could always get more of the great things that life has to offer, with less effort and cost, would you be interested? If you could find a simple solution to your problems by following a way that always works, would you be interested? If you could work a two-day week, and yet get much better results and pay than you do for a full week now, would you be interested? If that way applied not just to making a living, to money, or success, but also to the even more important areas of life - the people that you love and care for, and your happiness and fulfilment - would you be interested? You can transform your life if you follow the 80/20 Way.
Kubler-Ross, Elizabeth
Kubler-Ross, E. (1969) On Death and Dying. Routledge ISBN 0415040159
Amazon Synopsis: "Although most areas of human experience are nowadays discussed freely and openly, the subject of death is still surrounded by conventional attitudes and reticence that offer only fragile comfort because they evade the real issues. The dying may thus be denied the opportunity of sharing their feelings and discussing their needs with family, friends, or hospital staff. Although receiving devoted medical care, a dying patient is often socially isolated and avoided, since professional staff and students can find contact painful and embarrasing. Aware of the strains imposed on all sides by this situation, Dr Kubler-Ross established a seminar at the University of Chicago to consider the implications of terminal illness for patients and for those involved in their care. Patients invited to talk about their experience often found great relief in expressing their fear and anger and were able to move towards a state of acceptance and peace. The seminar, initially composed of students of medicine, sociology, psychology, and theology, but later joined by hospital staff and relatives of patients, enabled many members to come to terms with their own feelings and to respond constructively to what the patients had to teach them."
Lama, Dalai
HH Dalai Lama and Howard C Cutter (1998) The Art of Happiness - a handbook for living. London: Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN . 0340712279
Amazon Review: "Mr. Cutler and H.H. The Dalai Lama have worked very hard to make this book extremely easy to read and accessible. It is written mainly from interviews Mr. Cutler had with His Holiness and makes liberal use of notes taken during these meetings. Whilst some references are made to the Buddhist religion, it by no means attempts to force the reader to adopt such views. Instead, it concentrates on looking at issues and questions from a Western World approach and comparing that with the approach and teachings of His Holiness. I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever thought, "There must be more to it all"
Smith, Huston
Smith, H. (1958) The World's Religions. San Francisco: Harper. ISBN 0062508113
This very readable book explores the essential elements and teachings of the world's main faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the native traditions of the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Oceania. Smith emphasises the inner - rather than institutional - aspects of these religions and gives special attention to Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He convincingly conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.
Thomas, William H
Thomas, W. H. (1999) Learning from Hannah: Secrets for a Life Worth Living. Mass: VanderWyk & Burnham. ISBN 1889242098
Amazon Review: Knowing that wisdom comes to us in stories, Dr. Thomas has created an engaging and provocative story to communicate his vision for a better world. In the story, the characters Bill and Jude are a hard-working professional couple who plan a long overdue vacation. When their rented sailboat capsizes in a storm, they are violently wrenched from the life they have known; they narrowly escape death and awaken in a land called Kallimos. Fearful and angry at first, they come to trust the old woman Hannah, who is in charge of their care. From her, they learn the wisdom of Kallimos, and in time, they accept their new life. Acceptance turns to love—so strong that when they are again torn away, they suffer a spiritual breakdown. With help from Hannah, Bill tries to bring the wisdom of Kallimos into his work, only to learn that it won't be as easy as he thought. Inspired by events in Dr. Thomas's own life, Learning From Hannah tells of a place where the wisdom of the elders has built a life worth living for all. It remains to be seen how the world will build upon this remarkable story.
In the book Dr Thomas reckons that loneliness, helplessness and boredom are the three diseases of old age
