Philosophy & Religion Book Reviews

Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' is a short and inspirational parable about the importance of pursuing one's dreams. Originally published in 1988 in the Brazillian author's native Portugese, it has since been translated in close to 70 languages and has become one of the best-selling books in history.

In 'Born to Be Good,' Dacher Keltner marries Eastern notions of kindness and reverence with evolutionary science in order to get at the answer to three salient questions: How can we be happy? What are the origins of kindness? How can we be good?

Poems and essays by and about people who hold fast to particular religious traditions — Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, Zen Buddhists — as well as essays and poems on current events, science, and nature.

Barnes weaves personal and historical experience, philosophy, and literature to weave a long meditation on death that is oftentimes humorous, insightful and life-affirming (if not hopeful).

Pico Iyer speaks to the many facets of the Dalai Lama in a delightful portrait based upon three decades of the author's acquaintance with the Tibetan leader.

Spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now) advocates present moment awareness and the dismantling of the ego as the path towards awakened living.

In The Mandala of Being, Richard Moss invites us to build relationships with our true selves, to bring our awareness fully into the Now.

The Visionary State weaves text and image into a compelling narrative of religion, architecture, and consciousness in California, from neopaganism to televangelism, UFO cults to austere Zen Buddhism.

In West of Jesus, Steven Kotler explores why surfing - not tennis, archery, softball, or NASCAR - is unique in the sense of spiritual fulfillment it provides the practitioner.

Michael Baigent asserts that what we know about Jesus and the circumstances leading to his death have been heavily mythologized.

This second volume in an annual series brings together the year's most notable prose inspired by the power and insight of Buddhist practice.

Under the Banner of Heaven tells the story of two fundamentalist Mormon brothers who took their faith to the ultimate extreme.

Michael Wood explores the enduring popularity of oracles and examines how they are interpreted and why.

80s punk rocker turned Zen master, Brad Warner explores Buddhism and metaphysics through a philosophy he dubs "Hardcore Zen."