Rating: 
Summary: Wow.
Review: This book cuts through all the cultural stuff to expose the heart of Buddhism, is amazingly clear as to what the Buddha taught, and explains in practical terms how his teachings can be applied to our daily life. I recommend it to anyone who wants to find out about Buddhism, whether you are a complete layman or someone who has been studying it for years.
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Summary: Simple and profound
Review: Buddhism plain and simple is a excellent and informative reference. Steve Hagen is a doctor when it comes to explainning such a misunderstood way of life.
Rating:
Summary: Plain and Simple
Review: I have often thought that the essence of any religion should be inscribable on a space the size of a thumbnail, and then applied like a transdermal patch to infiltrate a person's life. Hagen's book does that: it can get under your skin if you are willing to apply it. One of the strengths of this book is that it neglects certain key concepts of Buddhism that make it accessible to the Western mind. This book is aimed entirely at the experiential aspect of life, not the intellectual. It has to soak in through the pores rather than pierce the cranium. Don't read this book: attend to it.
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Summary: Plain and simple it is... and clear
Review: Ah yes... sometimes the answers are so clear they cannot be seen... for the ones who need to be "enlightened," so to speak... there's nothing you can read that can't be read... yet this is a very direct introduction to what needs not be explained... The Big Eye is open...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a really amazing book for those in the West who don't really know that much about Buddhism, and are looking for a place to start. However, one doesn't need to be Buddhist or even plan on becoming Buddhist to read this, it is relevant to everyone.One warning, this book teachs the basic principles of Buddhism. It is not very comprehensive, but that is part of the beauty of it. Steve Hagen doesn't go on and on about the differences between (for example) Theraveda and Zen Buddhism. He doesn't teach us about Buddhism, instead he teaches us how to be Buddhist (which I would argue is much more important). If you have been practicing Buddhism for a number of years, I doubt you would learn much from this book. But if you don't know the difference between dharma and duhkha then I can't recommend this book enough.
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Summary: True to its title
Review: This is an excellent book. Hagen explains Buddhism in an absolutely clear, perfectly concise manner and gives simple, everyday examples to illustrate his points. It is an ideal read for a beginner, because it cuts to the heart of what Buddhism is in a way that is easy to understand. I would reccomend this book to everyone, not least of all the people who feel somewhat lost in their lives.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I loved this book, it's well written and contains loads of information. At places the going is a little rough, but overall the book is great!
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Summary: One of Those Rare Books
Review: Over the last fifteen years, a growing number of books have shown up in trade paperbackland on the subject of Buddhism. More seem to arrive daily, invited or not. Most of them are aimed at the general reader and beginning buddhist. This makes it progressively more difficult to sort out the superlative from the merely satisfactory. Of all that I've read [and I've read them all] "Buddhism: Plain and Simple" stands out from the rest. Steve Hagen succeeds in one of the hardest tasks in writing: being straightforward without being dull; being concise without seeming frugal. No essential point of Buddhism is left uncovered, yet the author never pontificates or short-changes the reader. The book is a gem of both inspiration and practicality. It takes a subject that often seems far too idealistic and places it at a level that resonates with the daily Western experience of life. It is a "quick read" without ever coming off as "Buddhism For Dummies." All this and at a price that will make it a convenient and affordable present for all those friends that have so often asked us, "what the heck is Buddhism?" Find it, read it and buy another copy for someone you love. Better yet, give it to someone you don't love. It might just change their life.
Rating:
Summary: There is no book, Grasshopper.....
Review: Excellent for those of us that cannot imagine the sound of one hand clapping. To the point, easy to understand fundamentals of Zen Buddhism explained.A great book for (excuse the pun) Beginners. Incorporate the simple suggestions found in this book in your daily lives and I promise that you will cease to exist and start truly living.
Rating: 
Summary: Transitional Book
Review: First off, anything that is compressed into "plain and simple" format is not going to tell you everything. This is meant as a bridge from conventional Western philosophy to Buddhist philosophy. The author states early on that he is ignoring cultural aspects like architecture of the temples or finery of the monks. It's a very good introductory book that does an admirable job of boiling Buddhism down to its essence.
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