Status
Coming Soon
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : Viking, 2007.
Description
As a journalist and then a diplomat, author Tippett was enthralled by the promise of political solutions to divisive issues. When politics failed tp provide worthy answers, she attended Yale Divinity School to pursue larger questions about what makes a meaningful life. In her quest for faith's illumination of life's complexities, passions, and frailties, she developed a style of discourse--a "life of conversation"--that she now shares with millions of people every week via her public radio program. Tippett's in-depth conversations with theologians, scientists, ethicists, and seekers who share their experiences, combined with her engaging style, are revolutionizing the way many think and speak of faith in their families and communities and in the larger world.--From publisher description.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member pw0327
You get the feeling that Krista Tippett was overwhelmed by what she was trying to accomplish. One gets the sense that she is 1) Trying to pull together all ideas that she has discussed in the years that she has had the privilege of talking spirituality with some of the most lucid, intelligent, and
The enormity of her enterprise is evidenced by the confusion in the structure of the book and the poorly executed organization. This is true of course, only if you are reading the book as a book. I didn't really understand the key until I was well into the book. The key is that one need to read the book as an extended conversation, or better yet, as an extended essay and rumination on theology, and peripherally, the impact that theology has had on her life.
The theological discussion was extremely successful. It opened up deep wounds and it presented wonderful ideas and complex viewpoints clearly and succinctly, much like the radio show. The only drawback with this aspect of the book is that the book is not a comprehensive book, so she was not able to delve into the intricacies of the thoughts as much as she did with the radio program. So a basic understanding of the people of whom she speaks of is almost a necessity.
Yet it was also substantial reading. It calls for all of your attention. The breadth of the book, the coverage of the religious landscape, the depth of the potential side trips, are all so very tempting and intellectually stimulating. I found myself thinking about the discourse and I also found myself laying the book down to take notes and to sit and think aloud, trying to digest all the implication brought up. It is certainly not light reading, but it is reading that is good for the soul. She said herself that she felt like she was running out of words, and you can sense the urgency in her writing towards the end. You can hear her thinking: so much to say, so few pages.
The interjection of her own personal struggles with religion and her own burgeoning spiritual journey was less successfully treated. It wasn't that the interjections were unwelcome. It is because Krista picked and chose through her personal history to make certain points. I won't begrudge her right to do that, it takes an immense amount of courage to do something like this, but her choice of using limited exposure of her personal journey caused some awkwardness in reading that made me wonder if it was wise to even bring the subject up.
It is a Faustian bargain I think; not delving into the personal would have made for a less personal and perhaps less interesting narrative; but not delving into the personal would have also smoothed out a lot of the awkward transitions with her ruminations. Someone who did a much better job of laying her spiritual and emotional life out for all to see is Elizabeth Gilbert in "Eat, Pray, Love", but I doubt anyone would have that kind of courage to reveal as much of herself as she did. In the end, I think the exposure of her own personal journey was symmetric with what she had to say about her belief in a personal kind of theological discussion, one that incorporates the personal account of the spiritual which makes the discussion all the more acceptable and creates better understanding of each other's faith. That point was made, but not well.
In summary, this is not a quick summer read by the pool. You need to pay attention, and despite some rough edges and minor imperfections, you will be rewarded with a fascinating and broad rumination about the search for purpose and meaning.
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articulate people in religion and 2) Do some cathartic spiritual mind cleansing and 3) Try to weave the two threads together.The enormity of her enterprise is evidenced by the confusion in the structure of the book and the poorly executed organization. This is true of course, only if you are reading the book as a book. I didn't really understand the key until I was well into the book. The key is that one need to read the book as an extended conversation, or better yet, as an extended essay and rumination on theology, and peripherally, the impact that theology has had on her life.
The theological discussion was extremely successful. It opened up deep wounds and it presented wonderful ideas and complex viewpoints clearly and succinctly, much like the radio show. The only drawback with this aspect of the book is that the book is not a comprehensive book, so she was not able to delve into the intricacies of the thoughts as much as she did with the radio program. So a basic understanding of the people of whom she speaks of is almost a necessity.
Yet it was also substantial reading. It calls for all of your attention. The breadth of the book, the coverage of the religious landscape, the depth of the potential side trips, are all so very tempting and intellectually stimulating. I found myself thinking about the discourse and I also found myself laying the book down to take notes and to sit and think aloud, trying to digest all the implication brought up. It is certainly not light reading, but it is reading that is good for the soul. She said herself that she felt like she was running out of words, and you can sense the urgency in her writing towards the end. You can hear her thinking: so much to say, so few pages.
The interjection of her own personal struggles with religion and her own burgeoning spiritual journey was less successfully treated. It wasn't that the interjections were unwelcome. It is because Krista picked and chose through her personal history to make certain points. I won't begrudge her right to do that, it takes an immense amount of courage to do something like this, but her choice of using limited exposure of her personal journey caused some awkwardness in reading that made me wonder if it was wise to even bring the subject up.
It is a Faustian bargain I think; not delving into the personal would have made for a less personal and perhaps less interesting narrative; but not delving into the personal would have also smoothed out a lot of the awkward transitions with her ruminations. Someone who did a much better job of laying her spiritual and emotional life out for all to see is Elizabeth Gilbert in "Eat, Pray, Love", but I doubt anyone would have that kind of courage to reveal as much of herself as she did. In the end, I think the exposure of her own personal journey was symmetric with what she had to say about her belief in a personal kind of theological discussion, one that incorporates the personal account of the spiritual which makes the discussion all the more acceptable and creates better understanding of each other's faith. That point was made, but not well.
In summary, this is not a quick summer read by the pool. You need to pay attention, and despite some rough edges and minor imperfections, you will be rewarded with a fascinating and broad rumination about the search for purpose and meaning.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jtlauderdale
I found this short book difficult to read. Perhaps there were too many ideas in too small a text. It seemed to jump around from concept to concept. Because I am not too familiar with many of the religions and theologians mentioned, I lacked context to understand much of what was said. I find the
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radio program much more comprehensible and will stick to that in the future. Other members of my book club had similar thoughts. Show Less
LibraryThing member jccragg
From book jacket: A thought-provoking, original appraisal of the meaning of religion by the creator of Public Radio's "Speaking of Faith".
LibraryThing member revslick
Krista Tippet is The voice for American conversation about faith. The book is both an autobiography of her faith journey but also how her show 'Speaking of Faith' has morphed over the years. She should be the model of how we engage in faith issues but also the dialogue of how we embody our faith
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throughout our lives and the lives of others. Show Less
LibraryThing member vpfluke
This book was a good read. It is written by Krista Tippet who hosts an NPR radio broadcast of the same name as the title. It traces her journey with and into faith. She came from an Evangelical background in Oklahoma which got dusted away. As a reporter in Germany, she began thinking of the great
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ethical issues of the 20th century. One can't deal fully with world political issues without thinking of religious concerns. She also probes into the importance of virtue in life, and the usefulness of religious retreats for finding ones way. Show Less
LibraryThing member biunicorn
Speaking of Faith
Why Religion Matters- and How to Talk About it
by Krista Tippett
I found this groundbreaking darling to be unique and endearing all at the same time. As a religious journalist and radio host the author brings an exciting blend of skills and experiences to the table. In this first
Touching on profound tragedies like hurricane Katrina, this precious guide shows us how to reconcile God with the pain and suffering of man, and how they all blend together for love, light and happiness. The fact that you can get there from here is one of the reasons I am glad this teacher appeared and I recommend it to those who would like a new slant on old questions. Thanks Krista, for showing us a hidden pass through the mountains.
Love & Light,
Riki Frahmann
Why Religion Matters- and How to Talk About it
by Krista Tippett
I found this groundbreaking darling to be unique and endearing all at the same time. As a religious journalist and radio host the author brings an exciting blend of skills and experiences to the table. In this first
Show More
person rendition of her spiritual journey we learn about the different opinions, views and traditions connected to faith and reaching to a power greater than ourselves.Touching on profound tragedies like hurricane Katrina, this precious guide shows us how to reconcile God with the pain and suffering of man, and how they all blend together for love, light and happiness. The fact that you can get there from here is one of the reasons I am glad this teacher appeared and I recommend it to those who would like a new slant on old questions. Thanks Krista, for showing us a hidden pass through the mountains.
Love & Light,
Riki Frahmann
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LibraryThing member jacobusp
Krista Tippett (NPR's host of Speaking of Faith) winds an interesting path of her faith journey from her childhood through her travels as a diplomat through divorce and life after. She makes a number of wonderful, thoughtful stops along the way, considering the impacts of various events on her
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faith. One may choose to not agree with all of her observations, but she treats her faith gently and with reverence, a trait which is sorely missing in many authors today. Show Less
LibraryThing member mawls
i'm currently audiobooking this one...
LibraryThing member bongo_x
I love the show and I really enjoyed the book. I could have gave it 4 stars, but I think the writing could be more engaging. Maybe it was just my tiredness and lack of concentration. Regardless, if she's not the worlds most fascinating author she is very interesting and full great ideas and
I don't know why you wouldn't read this.
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perspectives, or more accurately (and more importantly), she is open to many great ideas and thinkers and serves as a wonderful conduit to them. I don't know why you wouldn't read this.
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LibraryThing member uufnn
The author is a journalist, former diplomat, and creator of the weekly public radio program Speaking of Faith. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love said about this work, "In a day where religion--or rather, arguments over religion--divide us into ever more entrenched and frustrated camps,
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Krista Tippett is exactly the measured, balanced commentator we need. Her intelligence is like a salve for all thinking people who have felt wounded or marginalized by The God Wars." Show Less
LibraryThing member larryking1
As a rule, this is not the kind of book I usually read, but events unfolded in such a way that my long Sunday drives, it so happened, were the time slot of her NPR program of the same name (it is now known as On Being). It turned out to be a forum of sorts, animated by faith, but touching on
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physics, science, history, belief systems, and, most important, the vicissitudes that roil the human heart (or soul?). Most of my 'reading' of this tome were 'audio' in nature, making it possible to hear her guests speaking in their own voices. Her chapters pertaining to the nature of time, internecine religious conflicts, and her grandfather's fundamentalism as opposed to her ecumanicism were provocative. Show Less
LibraryThing member jepeters333
Krista Tippett is the creator and host of public radio’s phenomenally popular program Speaking of Faith, a weekly conversation about religion, meaning, ethics, and ideas. As a journalist and then as a diplomat in Berlin, Tippett was enthralled by the promise of political solutions to divisive
Show More
issues. When politics did not provide worthy answers, Tippett attended Yale Divinity School to pursue larger questions about what makes a meaningful life. In her quest for faith’s illumination of life’s complexities, passions, and frailties, she developed a compelling style of discourse—a “life of conversation”—that she now shares with millions of people every week. Tippett’s unique, in-depth conversations with theologians, scientists, ethicists, and seekers who share their experiences, combined with her engaging style, are revolutionizing the way many think and speak of faith in their families and communities and in the larger world. Show Less
Language
Physical description
xi, 238 p.; 22 cm
ISBN
9780670038350