Rating: 
Summary: Maddening
Review: A work of supreme self-indulgence. Katz needs to re-read the 7 Story Mountain, then take a look at Augustine's Confessions and Dorothy Day's Long Lonelines, and see what was really at stake for these great seekers. A vague "quest for the spiritual" is doomed to self-absorbed circularity which may be fascinating to the subject but is dull to the outsider. The spiritual seeker looks for truth, not mere peace of mind, because he or she realizes that the essential question being asked is "why am I here and what am I supposed to do with this life?" and the answers to that are not found in the self, but in the One who brought the Self into being. The reviewer below is right. You can't divorce spirituality from theology. Besides the Christians I mentioned above, Katz might take a look at the Buddhist thinkers before he runs away again: "Whereever you go, there you are."
Rating: 
Summary: Running to the bookshelf
Review: This is what I did immediately after finishing this book--to look for a decent read. This was the kind of book that had me wondering, during the entire thing: when will it get better? And it never did. Katz over-describes every little thing that happened to him, in a dramatic style, that had me saying over and over to myself "I can't believe he thinks this is so important." I was expecting a deep, philosophical book which would really make me think and do some self-reflecting--I got none of this.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read into a quest alot would enjoy taking
Review: Although I expected a little more of a 'religious introspection' from the author because of the linkage to Merton, I quickly realized the author wasn't that religious, so I settled in to enjoy the book on a more "wish I was there" level. He took a small adventure/escape that most would like to live out, and made you feel like you were there. Very good and funny book. Its been years since i've made time to finish a 250+ page book in just a weekend.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting blend of writing style.
Review: Upon bying "Running to the Mountain" by Jon Katz, I was hoping it would be a story-wise book, meaning that it told a story, and not just about monks and faith. What I found was a very interesting blend of story-telling and citing from books by monks who Katz is interested in. Starting off the chapters, Katz describes about his house, his family, or the events he encountered that day. Then as the chapter goes on, he leads into thoughts about his faith, comments from books written by Merton the monk, and about his fear of getting older and having new responsilbities. I didn't mind reading about the faith at all, and I'm not a huge fan of just reading about spirtualty, and religion. That's what I go to church for. :) I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good read, something they can relate to in some sence, and just a good look into someone else's life. 5 stars for "Running to the Mountain" by Jon Katz.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting, beautifully written and often funny story.
Review: I think a lot of people will be able to relate to Jon Katz's new book. He deals with the issues that many aging boomers are going through and does so with style, grace and humor. Even if you're not a boomer, you might be able to connect to Katz's desire for change and a new way of living life. The book is very personal, but without the sacharine quality that seems to infect so many of these spiritual/aging books. In other words, a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: One can't separate Merton from his faith
Review: I was disappointed at the author's glib assumption assumption -- so common among boomers seeking "spirituality" -- that he could pluck from Merton various self-help aids but ignore Merton's Catholic faith. I was reminded of "Cloister Walk," in which the author appeared to want the benefits of being a devout Christian mystic without actually being one. Aging boomers, relucant to explore and actually engage traditional religion, often pull the New Age trick of pulling what strikes them as meaningful from the works of religious writers from all sorts of diverse traditions (see, e.g., the interest in Jewish Kabbalah by Hollywood stars!). I for one am not impressed by such "cafeteria spirituality," and I'm not sure Merton would be either. That said, the writing is wonderful, and the author's tone is not at all off-putting.
Rating:
Summary: Touching a nerve
Review: Katz has touched a pretty deep nerve. The book isn't really about mid-life so much as it's about how to live your life. I'm 29 and it gave me a lot to think about. For me, it's a lesson that spirituality isn't just for months, which I think was part of the movement. But I sure laughed like Hell, too. He has a real comic gift. Just when the book gets sad, it veers into the hilarious. Great stuff. My dad and I are going to talk about when he reads it. It's the first book my mom read that I ever read on her recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Spirituality in Life, not only Religion
Review: There are a number of wonderful things about this book. It's funny, moving and lyrical, in terms of the writing. But what most impressed me was that Katz describes a profound spiritual experience outside the boundaries of religion. That means somebody like me -- an accountant in Michigan -- can have this kind of experience. Thanks to this book, which I could not put down, I will give it my best shot. I hope I do it as well.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book for all us aging boomers
Review: I first encountered Jon Katz through his mystery novels about a downsized Wall Street type turned suburban private investigator. I liked his stuff. Then, I discovered the Jon Katz who writes on internet and freedom issues for slashdot.org and the Freedom Forum. I like him even more.Then I read his latest book, Running to the Mountain. It's about aging and spirituality written around his purchase of a cabin in upstate New York and an attempt to write a book on Thomas Merton while there. Books on these topics are often more preachy than insightful. Running to the Mountain isn't preachy at all. In fact, it's hysterically funny in places. In between the laughs, it got me to think more than I have in years about parenting and other relationships, where I'm going with the last third of my career, and, of course, the last half of my life. It is by far the best book I've ever read on spirituality and personal growth and is a must for all us aging boomers.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my husbands life
Review: This book was amazing. Smart, funny, and it changed my husbands life. He's turning 40 this year, and was pondering a mid-life crisis. We both read this book, and we're taking a trip instead. Together. I loved this book a ton. This guy is onto something.
|
