Prayer

Reprint

Zaleski, Philip 저자(글)

HarperOne · 2006년 10월 03일

책 소개

Philip Zaleski is a research associate in the Department of Religion at Smith College Carol Zaleski is a professor of religion at Smith College
CAROL ZALESKI is the author of "Otherworld Journeys" and coeditor, with Philip Zaleski, of "The Book of Heaven". She contributes a monthly column to Christian Century and is a professor of religion at Smith College.
PHILIP ZALESKI, editor of The Best American Spiritual Writing 2004, is the author of many acclaimed books on religion, including "The Recollected Heart", "Gifts of the Spirit", and "The Book of Heaven". He is a senior editor at Parabola as well as a research associate in religion at Smith College.
Readers explore the way those who pray--whether in modern America or in ancient Babylon--hope for magic and submit to the divine will, seek for answers and contemplate mysteries. The Zaleskis limn traditional taxonomies of prayer that have long differentiated adoration from confession, thanksgiving from intercession, and they examine the forms of language, art, and music through which generations of believers have reached toward heaven. But many readers will particularly value the distinctively contemporary note in the survey of scientific studies of the efficacy of prayer and in the dissection of recent controversies over prayer in schools and other public forums. Surprisingly, investigation of modern prayer ends up teaching almost as much about skeptics (such as Darwin's cousin, Francis Galton) as about saints (such as Therese Martin). And in the American passions stirred by post-9/11 prayers, readers will discern a tangle of devotion and politics.
This landmark work presents prayer in all its richness and variety throughout history, across traditions, and around the globe. In a thorough and fascinating look at this spiritual practice, two of today"s most versatile and admired authorities on religion probe the language and fruits of prayer, its controversies, and its prospects for the future. With a focus on extraordinary stories of lives changed by prayer and on great works of literature and art inspired by it, Prayer: A History promises to be the standard on the subject for readers of all faiths.
This landmark work presents prayer in all its richness and variety throughout history, across traditions, and around the globe. In a thorough and fascinating look at this spiritual practice, two of today's most versatile and admired authorities on religion probe the language and fruits of prayer, its controversies, and its prospects for the future. With a focus on extraordinary stories of lives changed by prayer and on great works of literature and art inspired by it, Prayer: A History promises to be the standard on the subject for readers of all faiths.
In prayer, the poet George Herbert recognized the acme of civilization. Yet this religious practice has rarely received the sort of careful cultural analysis the Zaleskis here offer. From Ramses II's petitions invoking Amun's assistance in battle to Ansel Adams' photographs offered as an opus Dei, this sweeping cultural history illumines the abiding influence of prayer in shaping human thought and behavior. Readers explore the way those who pray--whether in modern America or in ancient Babylon--hope for magic and submit to the divine will, seek for answers and contemplate mysteries. The Zaleskis limn traditional taxonomies of prayer that have long differentiated adoration from confession, thanksgiving from intercession, and they examine the forms of language, art, and music through which generations of believers have reached toward heaven. But many readers will particularly value the distinctively contemporary note in the survey of scientific studies of the efficacy of prayer and in the dissection of recent controversies over prayer in schools and other public forums. Surprisingly, investigation of modern prayer ends up teaching almost as much about skeptics (such as Darwin's cousin, Francis Galton) as about saints (such as Therese Martin). And in the American passions stirred by post-9/11 prayers, readers will discern a tangle of devotion and politics. A much-needed study of a neglected topic.
"A fabulous, very readable, immensely informative, and (I would even say) 'inspirational' volume." --Harvey Cox, author of When Jesus Came to Harvard and The Secular City
"A fabulous, very readable, immensely informative, and (I would even say) 'inspirational' volume." --Harvey Cox, author of When Jesus Came to Harvard and The Secular City "A lovely, interesting new book . . . Philip and Carol Zaleski explore this most personal of religious practices in an ecumenical spirit." The New York Times Book Review "Unusually probing and thoughtful." Christian Science Monitor "This is the most stunning book on prayer that I have ever read. It will become the benchmark for every other work on the subject, present or future." --Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours "An essential resource for living in our multifaith world." Spirituality & Health Magazine "The Zaleskis are impressive in their knowledge, and they share what they know in an entertaining way." --National Catholic Reporter "A significant achievement. The authors' learning and generosity of spirit will lead their readers into unfamiliar territory and reveal new depths in the familiar." --First Things "A wonderful read . . . Any serious student of prayer will learn a good deal from this book." --America "This religious practice has rarely received the sort of careful cultural analysis the Zaleskis offer . . . This sweeping cultural history illuminates the abiding influence of prayer in shaping human thought and behavior." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review "Intelligent, informed, generous, ecumenical observations." The New York Times Book Review "A grand and human compendium, fascinating on every page. It's witty, moving, and full of interesting facts and funny stories." --Annie Dillard "Thought-provoking and soul-uplifting . . . There's an engaging ease to the Zaleskis' prose, and humor pops through regularly." Los Angeles Times "A wonderful book -- intelligent, beautifully written, important, inclusive, and completely useful." --Thomas Moore
"A grand and human compendium, fascinating on every page. It's witty, moving, and full of interesting facts and funny stories." --Annie Dillard
"A significant achievement. The authors' learning and generosity of spirit will lead their readers into unfamiliar territory and reveal new depths in the familiar." --First Things
"A wonderful book -- intelligent, beautifully written, important, inclusive, and completely useful." --Thomas Moore
"A wonderful book -- original, well-researched, clear, inspiring, even-handed.I applaud the two Zaleskis for their great effort."--Natalie Goldberg, author of Long Quiet Highway and The Great Failure
"A wonderful read...Any serious student of prayer will learn a good deal from this book." --America
"The Zaleskis are impressive in their knowledge, and they share what they know in an entertaining way." --National Catholic Reporter
"This is the most stunning book on prayer that I have ever read. It will become the benchmark for every other work on the subject, present or future." --Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours
"This religious practice has rarely received the sort of careful cultural analysis the Zaleskis offer . . . This sweeping cultural history illuminates the abiding influence of prayer in shaping human thought and behavior."
"Unusually probing and thoughtful."
Focusing on extraordinary stories of lives changed by prayer and on great works of literature and art inspired by it, the authors map the vast world of prayer from the sacred pipe to the rosary, from Neanderthal funerals to Pentecostal revivals.

작가정보

저자(글) Zaleski, Philip

목차

• God's Breath	p. 1
  The Foundations of Prayer	p. 3
  Magic	p. 33
  Deeper Magic	p. 61
  Heart in Pilgrimage	p. 91
  The Refugee	p. 95
  The Devotee	p. 128
  The Ecstatic	p. 158
  The Contemplative	p. 195
  The Land of Spices	p. 229
  Prayer and Tradition	p. 233
  Prayer and the Modern Arts	p. 260
  Prayer and the Public Square	p. 294
  Something Understood	p. 311
  Prayer and Healing	p. 315
  The Efficacy of Prayer	p. 331
  The Mystery of Prayer	p. 347
  Works Cited	p. 357
  Notes	p. 369
  Index	p. 389
  Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

기본정보

ISBN	9780618773602 ( 0618773606 )
발행(출시)일자	2006년 10월 03일
쪽수	416쪽
크기	152 * 229 * 33 mm / 590 g
총권수	1권
언어	영어