Rating: 
Summary: A painless intro to Buddhism
Review: The Accidental Buddhist is a great little romp through a delightful little religion. With an author named "Dinty Moore" (tragically, no stew connections are made in the book), I couldn't not buy it. And I was glad I did.Moore uses his own experiences as a springboard for Buddhism as a whole-- rather than reading like a religious textbook, the book feels like a travelogue, with insights into different sects (although it focuses mostly on his own Zen experiences). "What do I do now?" "Just sit." I've recommended this book to quite a few people who've asked me about Buddhism-- it's really a lighthearted way to break into a great subject, and it dabbles in the American Monestery experience, breaks into the Christianity/Buddhist overlap and brings up the Tibetans, all without preaching or going too deep into the slower, more philosophical aspects of Buddhism. It's no textbook: if you're looking for something that'll sit you down and teach the ins and outs of all aspects and all sects of Buddhism, this book isn't it. But if you want a quick read for a lighthearted overview, then by all means, buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: If Dinty can do it, so can I!
Review: The Accidental Buddhist is all about one Irish American man on a search to find out how Buddhism fits into American culture. On his quest, readers will get an introduction to various forms of Buddhism as well as what it teaches. The fact that Mr. Moore is so honest about his experiences makes this an even better introduction to Buddhism because the reader now has a personal account that he or she may relate to. The humor adds to the personal and lighthearted tone of the book. Did Mr. Moore become an enlightened Buddha? He says not really but judge for yourself because any reader can track his progress towards enlightenment. I am one just starting my spiritual quest, if it can be called that, which is why I picked this book up. The fact that Mr. Moore is just a normal guy gives me the confidence that I can do what he did and that I don't need to be raised in a monastery to gain enlightenment. This book is great if you're just getting interested in Buddhism. It's even great if you're not. Get it; it's good stuff, and not that long either for the casual reader.
Rating:
Summary: ACCIDENTAL WHAT?
Review: THIS HILARIOUS (YET TOUCHING) GREAT BOOK IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT MAKES BEGINING BUDDHISTS FEEL COFORTABLE, AND BECAUSE IT SO DARNED FUNNY. PLUS, I THINK ALMOST EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR TRUTH, AND THIS BOOK GOT ME THINKING?
Rating:
Summary: A painless intro to Buddhism
Review: The Accidental Buddhist is a great little romp through a delightful little religion. With an author named "Dinty Moore" (tragically, no stew connections are made in the book), I couldn't not buy it. And I was glad I did. Moore uses his own experiences as a springboard for Buddhism as a whole-- rather than reading like a religious textbook, the book feels like a travelogue, with insights into different sects (although it focuses mostly on his own Zen experiences). "What do I do now?" "Just sit." I've recommended this book to quite a few people who've asked me about Buddhism-- it's really a lighthearted way to break into a great subject, and it dabbles in the American Monestery experience, breaks into the Christianity/Buddhist overlap and brings up the Tibetans, all without preaching or going too deep into the slower, more philosophical aspects of Buddhism. It's no textbook: if you're looking for something that'll sit you down and teach the ins and outs of all aspects and all sects of Buddhism, this book isn't it. But if you want a quick read for a lighthearted overview, then by all means, buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Learn about American Buddhism - the 'lite' way...
Review: Dinty Moore (doesn't this guy make beef stew?) is a young middle-aged Irish-American Catholic who, in a very readable and humorous manner, outlines his journey into the world of Buddhism, most specifically American Buddhism. Although the tale is a bit self-absorbed at times, this book provides the reader with some excellent instruction in a religion that most American are rather ignorant of. What Moore seems to run up against much of the time is that he can't seem to quite locate the path to 'true wisdom'. In a culture like the American one, full of hyper-commercialism, and an expansive sense of materialism - it is hard for any American to put this all aside and find simple inner peace - that is, to quiet the chattering monkeys in one's head.
Like many people who look to Eastern religions, Moore is seeking to find more meaning in his life... to put in their proper place the information overload, the bombardment of advertising, and mostly the pressures that many Americans feel to hurry, to compete, to be the best, to better their neighbors, to arrive at life, rather than to enjoy it as it comes. While some reviewers didn't like the humor - I found that Moore's jokes, and humor helped me to see that he wasn't one of those "true-believers" out there intent on proselytizing or urging me to "find my peace". It was a relief to read about someone's honest journey in understanding a religion completely foreign to his own. If he hadn't found things funny, light, or unreasonable, I don't think it would have felt like an honest piece of writing. I think this book is an excellent source for those who might be interested in knowing more about Buddhism without the intense rhetoric of an instructional text.
Rating:
Summary: Lighter Side of Buddhism
Review: Raised as a Roman Catholic, Dinty Moore begins by telling about his childhood. 12 years of Catholic school, the retreats and the nuns. Then things changed. The Catholic Youth recruiter who he wanted to lose his virginity to took up with a lifeguard, his mother divorced and remarried someone he didn't like, he failed religion and his father "fell off the wagon". Soon he stopped attending church, stopped praying and felt God had let him down. Fast forward twenty years and he finds himself in the doorway of a Buddhist monastery. He soon realizes that no one is talking about venial sins and there are no confessionals, just a feeling of peace. After his short retreat at the monastery, he attends another while on a business trip. A Tibetan Monk explains that what makes us unhappy is our tendancy to desire things that make us happy. For example, by thinking that as soon as I get a new job, I'll be happy. But one we get the job, the happiness and expectations are dashed. He also says that while it's ok to have a comfortable home, a nice car and deliberately arrange our lives in such a way that these things become possible, but don't depend on them to make you happy. Happiness is internal, not external. After attending the retreat he realizes that he sat though "basically a six hour sermon". Being a former catholic as well, I know the feeling all too well. Even a fifteen minute sermon was always too long. They were "endless, irrelevant and forced up me by a condescending adult." It's reassuring to know that a Tibetan monk isn't going to tell you that you're a terrible person and you're going to hell. It's a rather humorous book and Moore is always referring to his "Monkey Mind", meaning that his mind is always on something else when he's trying to meditate or understand what the monks and nuns are saying. It's one's desire for things to be a certain way that will make you unhappy. Becoming upset because someone is late has nothing to do with the person, but your reaction to the tardiness.. bascially, it's not the fault of the other person, it's the way you are dealing with it.
Rating:
Summary: Not the good book but a good book
Review: I consider myself a lapsed Buddhist or rather a non-practicing one since I stopped sitting some years ago. (This new religion came about for me as I was prior to this a lapsed Catholic) I try to maintain as many of the Buddhist principles as I can, however. I found that this book has inspired me to return to sitting meditation, not because Moore makes it sound easy, but rather becase he made me realize that I was missing something very important. I am familiar with many of the concepts of Buddhism and its various branches. But Mr. Moore review and introduction was very refreshing and well-written. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in finding out about Buddhism or for any dabblers like myself.
Rating:
Summary: Painless Intro for a Buddha Newbie
Review: I recently whipped through this book and was amazed at how much I had learned from such a quick read. If you've ever been curious about Buddhism or Zen then this is a great introduction that will ease you into it without overwhelming you with the intricacies of the religion and philosophy. The only thing I would have liked to see is a little more on the reasons that Americans are turning to the Buddhist philosophies and lifestyle. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Buddhism.
Rating:
Summary: Easy Introduction to American Style Buddhism
Review: This book was the first one of this topic through which I was able to zoom. Dinty W. Moore is entertaining and inspiring. His experience in looking for American Buddhism reveals an avenue toward learning Buddhist philosophy to which Westerners can relate.
The author was raised in a middle-class, Catholic household and tells of his experience growing from Catholism into Buddhism. I was not raised Catholic, but still related very well to his life. I think it would be an interesting and helpful read for anyone coming from a western-religion background.
Rating:
Summary: Lousy Buddhists Are the Best Kind
Review: Dinty Moore's exploration of the meaning of Buddhism is America is as humorous as it is engaging and illuminating. Moore describes how his failed attempts at being Catholic led him to a spiritual void he thought might be bridged by a new meditative focus. He uses his skills as an investigative journalist to get the most from meetings with monks and Buddhist enthusiasts. His book isn't a handbook on Buddhism but rather a gentle invitation to the topic. His honest treatment would be of interest to anyone who is curious enough to learn a bit more about this Eastern philosophy. Moore claims to be a "lousy Buddhist," but I'm convinced he's too hard on himself; in fact, he's an inspiration.
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