Rating: 
Summary: The life of a wanderer
Review: This a pretty decent book about a Russian pilgrim on a journey to search for the proper means of continuous prayer. The determination and faithfullness of this pilgrim are fascinating to say the least. This individual can humble even the most stubborn reader.
Rating: 
Summary: A God-centered Life
Review: This book describes the adventures of a nineteenth-century peasant who spends much of his God-centered life wandering around Russia. It is an inspirational story about the value of praying. In fact, I cannot think of another book which contains as much valuable information about the incessant prayer mentioned by St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Rating:
Summary: Christian spirituality from the Orthodox tradition
Review: This is the story of an anonymous 19th-century Russian peasant who wanted to learn to "pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17) and was introduced to the Jesus Prayer--the continuous repetition of "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"--a practice that comes from the Eastern Orthodox Church and has its roots in the desert spirituality of early Christianity. I have found this book helpful and inspiring for both my Zen practice and my Christian practice. Incidentally, this is the book that Franny is reading in J. D. Salinger's novel "Franny and Zooey" (which I also recommend). Two good "how to" books on the Jesus Prayer: Irma Zaleski's very concise "Living the Jesus Prayer," and Alphonse and Rachel Goettmann's more comprehensive "Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart."
Rating:
Summary: Christian spirituality from the Orthodox tradition
Review: This is the story of an anonymous 19th-century Russian peasant who wanted to learn to "pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17) and was introduced to the Jesus Prayer--the continuous repetition of "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"--a practice that comes from the Eastern Orthodox Church and has its roots in the desert spirituality of early Christianity. I have found this book helpful and inspiring for both my Zen practice and my Christian practice. Incidentally, this is the book that Franny is reading in J. D. Salinger's novel "Franny and Zooey" (which I also recommend). Two good "how to" books on the Jesus Prayer: Irma Zaleski's very concise "Living the Jesus Prayer," and Alphonse and Rachel Goettmann's more comprehensive "Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart."
Rating:
Summary: my favorite book--Christian life and Russian history in one
Review: Wow. It's sort of the ultimate Christian or spiritual life. Any mere thoughts I could have about life or religion pale in comparison to the life our little pilgrim actually lived. If you like Russia or its history, you're in for a double treat. If you've read Catcher in the Rye, or more particularly Franny and Zooey, you'll get a bang out of knowing that you and the great J.D.Salinger share a love for the same little pilgrim.
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