Rating: 
Summary: Not as simple as it looks
Review: A friend gave me this book and I thought, "Yeah, right another book about me and the monks, like we haven't seen enough of those." But it surprised me. The authors tell funny and moving stories, they write seamlessly and it isn't pious or pushy. Can't say enough about how much I liked their writing. Direct. Unpretentious. Fun to read. No one is trying to impress anyone with this fine little book yet it haunts you. Great reading.
Rating:
Summary: Simplify & Enjoy God's gift of life!
Review: Benedict's Way guides the reader easily into understanding God's intentions of our time here on earth. We have created a fast paced lifestyle that is self serving causing much anxiety. This is evident by the ever increaing need for lifestyle managing drugs. Our current society with all its technology and materialism has the highest rates of divorce, depression, sucide, etc., in history. It seems that all this financial wealth has done little to make us truly happy. Is it possible that God in is infinite wisdom understood this and inspired spiritual teachers like Buddha, Mother Terresa, and St. Benedict to teach us how to live? Pratt and Homan have challenged the reader to look at their own life and reflect on it. For me personally this book has opened my eyes to my own self serving ways. Each chapter is thought provoking and one of my favorites Balance and Celebration caused me to pause and look at how I approach my family time, work time, personal time, spritual time, etc. The format makes this an easy read with each chapter ending in a reflective prayer. Another great aspect of the book is the suggested reading section that includes web-sites to visit. This book is a must read for anyone serious about living a simplier spirit filled life.
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Summary: Top-Shelf Spiritual Writing
Review: Benedict's Way is a fresh and practical book, easy to read and hard to put down. I like the way it takes an ancient way of life for monks who shunned the world and turns it into a realistic spiritual guide for twenty-first-century people. It is very well written, historically accurate, personal and inspiring.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read....
Review: I enjoyed this book. I recommend as a follow on to this book: Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today (by Sister Joan Chittister OSB).. Other great Benedictine resources (including St. Benedict's Rule) can be found on http://www.osb.org
Rating:
Summary: Somewhere to begin
Review: I'm new to Benedictine spirituality but am learning to value the simple things. I thought that made this book a good place to start my Benedictine journey. The book challenged my long-held ideas about spirituality and the nature of the universe and I came away feeling good about myself believing that maybe the universe is a good place after all. It helped me. I think that's what I really needed from a book rather than advice on Benedictine spirituality although I'm confident that is also a strength for this book. We all want balance and this really does help.
Rating:
Summary: Somewhere to begin
Review: I'm new to Benedictine spirituality but am learning to value the simple things. I thought that made this book a good place to start my Benedictine journey. The book challenged my long-held ideas about spirituality and the nature of the universe and I came away feeling good about myself believing that maybe the universe is a good place after all. It helped me. I think that's what I really needed from a book rather than advice on Benedictine spirituality although I'm confident that is also a strength for this book. We all want balance and this really does help.
Rating:
Summary: The Family Cloister
Review: Many today are discovering the "The Rule of St. Benedict" as a buried treasure, offering wise guidance for non-monastics in the pursuit of spiritual maturity in "the family cloister". Collins Pratt & Homan not only give us the treasure map, but help us dig up the treasure and catalog the wealth of wisdom we've discovered from Benedict. They take us one step further, offering practical insights for daily practice of the spiritual life, personalizing the insights gained from Benedict's "Rule". For another similar book, this one specifically written for parents, take a look into "The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home", by David Robinson (New York: Crossroad, May 2000).
Rating:
Summary: A different perspective
Review: Of the reviewers posted here, I think I am probably the only one who read Radical Hospitality, the other book by these authors, before reading Benedict's Way. I like Radical Hospitality better if only because it spoke to me about how I need to make some changes in my life. Benedict's Way is a great book for anyone who wants to go a little deeper into benedictine spirituality but isn't much into serious scholarship. My brother is a Benedictine monk and he showed me a review of the book that came out recently. It talked about how this book is written in a simple and direct style but there is an evident scholarship lurking in the backgrounds of the authors. They just don't seem to be showy about it. Which is very good news for the reader who wants depth without pretentiousness. Even if you do read Radical Hospitality first, you'll love this book.
Rating:
Summary: A different perspective
Review: Of the reviewers posted here, I think I am probably the only one who read Radical Hospitality, the other book by these authors, before reading Benedict's Way. I like Radical Hospitality better if only because it spoke to me about how I need to make some changes in my life. Benedict's Way is a great book for anyone who wants to go a little deeper into benedictine spirituality but isn't much into serious scholarship. My brother is a Benedictine monk and he showed me a review of the book that came out recently. It talked about how this book is written in a simple and direct style but there is an evident scholarship lurking in the backgrounds of the authors. They just don't seem to be showy about it. Which is very good news for the reader who wants depth without pretentiousness. Even if you do read Radical Hospitality first, you'll love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Simplicity in a Chaotic Life
Review: The basic truths of St. Benedict are presented with real life examples and applications that touch the soul. As the authors intended, its a spirital retreat at your own convenience and provides simple insights and guidance on how to recenter your life in this all too busy world we live. I personally know Fr. Dan and can testify that the warmth, compasion, humor and spirital wisdom presented in this book is just a gimpse of the wonderful man of God he is. Enjoy this book and take it to heart as I have.
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