Journal for the Study of Spirituality: Book Reviews
Books reviewed to date
2021- Issue 11.02
A Quest for Wisdom: Inspiring Purpose on the Path of Life - David Lorimer (London: Aeon Books, 2021) [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar: www.LDC52.co.uk]
Spiritual Needs in Research and Practice: The Spiritual Needs Questionnaire as a Global Resource for Health and Social Care - edited by Arndt Büssing (Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2021) [Reviewed by Bernadette Flanagan, Spirituality Institute for Research and Education, Dublin, Ireland]
Assessing Spirituality in a Diverse World - edited by Amy Ai, Paul Wink, Raymond Paloutzian and Kevin Harris (Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2021) [Reviewed by Linda Ross, University of South Wales, UK]
The Divine Feminine: Tao Te Ching - Rosemarie Anderson (Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions, 2021) [Reviewed by Melinda Powell, Dream Research Institute, UK]
2021- Issue 11.01
Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of Christians with Mental Health Challenges - John Swinton (London: SCM Press, 2020). [Reviewed by Alison Gray, Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group, Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK; and Church of the Ascension, Munich, Germany]
Motherhood, Spirituality and Culture - Noelia Molina (New York: Routledge, 2019) [Reviewed by Jacqueline Service, Charles Sturt University, Australia]
Spirituality in Psychotherapy: How do Psychotherapists Understand, Navigate, Experience and Integrate Spirituality in their Professional Encounters with Clients - Amalia E. M. Carli (Leiden: Sidestone Press, 2020) [Reviewed by Harald Walach, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland]
The Spirit of this Place: How music illuminates the human spirit - Patrick Summers (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018). [Reviewed by Roderick Hunt, University of Exeter, UK]
The Big Book of Wisdom - Larry Culliford (London: Hero, 2020). [Reviewed by David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network, UK]
The Spiritual Formation of Evelyn Underhill - Robyn Wrigley-Carr (London: SPCK, 2020). [Reviewed by John Swinton, University of Aberdeen, UK]
Routledge International Handbook of Spirituality in Society and in the Professions - edited by Laszlo Zsolnai and Bernadette Flanagan (London & New York: Routledge, 2019). [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar, UK ]
Encountering the Spiritual in Contemporary Art – Leesa K. Fanning (Yale University Press, 2018). [Reviewed by Rina Arya, University of Huddersfield, UK]
Disability and Spirituality: Recovering Wholeness – William C. Gaventa (Waco, Texas: Baylor University Press, 2018). [Reviewed by Shane Clifton, University of Sydney, Australia]
Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World: Four keys to fulfillment and balance – Anna Gatmon (Berkeley, CA: She Writes Press, 2017). [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar, UK]
Paths between Head and Heart: Exploring the harmonies of science and spirituality – Oliver Robinson (Alresford: O-Books, 2018). [Reviewed by Patrick Dillon, University of Exeter, UK]
Spiritual Transmission: Paradoxes and dilemmas on the spiritual path – Amir Freimann (New York: Monkfish Book Publishing, 2018). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Spiritual Care for Allied Health Practice: A person-centred approach – edited by Lindsay B. Carey and Bernice A. Mathisen (London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishing, 2018). [Reviewed by Sophie MacKenzie, University of Greenwich, UK]
Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change – Justine Afra Huxley (London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2019). [Reviewed by Martyn Percy, Christ Church, University of Oxford, UK]
Luminous: The spiritual on film – Mike King (Jefferson: McFarland, 2014) [Reviewed by Robert Banks, Alphacrucis College, Sydney, Australia]
Reasonable Radical: Reading the writings of Martyn Percy – edited by Ian Marshall and Joshua Daniel (Eugene: Pickwick Publications, 2018). [Reviewed by Anthony Bash, Durham University, UK]
Spiritually Competent Practice in Health Care – edited by John Wattis, Stephen Curran and Melanie Rogers (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2017). [Reviewed by Lynn Bassett, Independent Scholar, UK]
Evelyn Underhill’s Prayer Book – edited by Robyn Wrigley-Carr (London: SPCK, 2018). [Reviewed by Eleanor Lancelot, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK]
2018 – Issue 8.02
No book reviews
Re-enchanting the Academy – edited by A. Voss and S. Wilson (New Lynn, New Zealand: Rubedo Press, 2017). [Reviewed by Laura Beres, Kings University College at Western University, Ontario, Canada]
Practising Spirituality: Reflections on meaning-making in personal and professional contexts – edited by Laura Béres (London: Palgrave Macmillan Education, 2017). [Reviewed by Guy Harrison, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK]
Spiritual Dimensions of Ageing - edited by Malcolm Johnson and Joanna Walker (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016). [Reviewed by Harriet Mowat, Mowat Research, UK]
The Spiritual Dimension of Ageing (second edition) – Elizabeth MacKinlay (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing, 2017). [Reviewed by Harriet Mowat, Mowat Research, UK]
Buddhist Understanding of Childhood Spirituality: The Buddha’s children – Alexander von Gontard (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing, 2017). [Reviewed by Julian Stern, York St John University, UK]
Seeking Wisdom: a spiritual manifesto – Larry Culliford (London: University of Buckingham Press, 2018). [Reviewed by John Watters, Living Leadership, Brighton, UK]
Psycho-spiritual Care in Health Care Practice – edited by Guy Harrison (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017). [Reviewed by Janice Clarke, University of Worcester, UK]
Re-enchanting the Activist: Spirituality and social change – Keith Hebden (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2016). [Reviewed by Janet Groen, University of Calgary, Canada]
Cultural Perspectives on Mental Well-being: Spiritual interpretations of symptoms in medical practice – Natalie Torbert (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing, 2016). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Narratives of Recovery from Mental Illness: The role of peer support – Mike Watts and Agnes Higgins (Abingdon: Routledge, 2016). [Reviewed by Katja Milner, University of Nottingham, UK]
Assessing and Communicating the Spiritual Needs of Children in Hospital – Alister Bull (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing, 2017). [Reviewed by Sally Nash, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, UK]
Frontiers in Spiritual Leadership: Discovering the better angels of our nature – edited by S. Alison, C. Kocher and G. Goelthals (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). [Reviewed by John Watters, Living Leadership, Brighton, UK]
Spirituality and Narrative in Psychiatric Practice: Stories of mind and soul – Christopher C. H. Cook, Andrew Powell and Andrew Sims (London: RCPsych Publications, 2016.) [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar, UK]
Thomas Merton and the Noonday Demon: The Camaldoli correspondence – Donald Grayston (Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press. 2016). [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar, UK]
Spiritual Psychiatries – Natalie Tobert (Virginia: Aethos, 2014.) [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Spirituality and Youth Work: New vocabulary, concepts and practices – edited by Phil Daughtrey and Stuart Devenish (Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2016). [Reviewed by Nigel Pimlott, Independent Scholar, UK]
2016 – Issue 6.02
No book reviews.
2016 – Issue 6.01
Exploring New Monastic Communities: The (re)invention of tradition – Stefania Palmisano.(Farnham and Burlington, VT: Ashgate, 2015). [Reviewed by Janet Eccles, Independent Scholar, UK]
Much Ado About Something: A vision of Christian maturity – Larry Culliford.(London: SPCK. 2015). [Reviewed by Jenny Kartupelis, Faith and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London, UK]
Dying: A transition – Monika Renz (Translated by Mark Kyburg with John Peck, New York: Columbia University Press,. 2015). [Reviewed by Peter Kevern, Staffordshire University, UK]
Spiritual Care with Sick Children and Young People: A handbook for chaplains, paediatric health professionals, arts therapists and youth workers – Paul Nash, Kathryn Darby and Sally Nash (London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2015). [Reviewed by Anne Vandenhoeck, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium]
Secular Spirituality: The next step towards enlightenment – Harald Walach (Cham, Heidelberg, New York, Dordrecht, London: Springer, 2015). [Reviewed by Jacqueline Watson, University of Exeter, UK]
2015 - Issue 5.02
The Forgiveness Project: Stories for a vengeful age - edited by Marina Cantacuzino (London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2015). [Reviewed by Anthony Bash, Durham University, UK]
Spiritualise: Revitalising spirituality to address 21st century challenges - Jonathan Rowson (Report published by the Action and Research Centre of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, 2014: https://www.thersa.org). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
The Human in the Universe – Niamh Brennan (Lima, OH: Wyndham Hall Press, 2014). [Reviewed by Diarmuid O’Murchu, priest and author, Dublin, Ireland]
Higher Being Bodies: A non-dualistic approach on the Fourth Way, with hope - Ocke de Boer. (Mount Desert, Maine: Beach Hill Publishing Company, 2014). [Reviewed by Paul Beekman Taylor, University of Geneva, Switzerland]
Dance, Somatics and Spiritualities: Contemporary sacred narratives – edited by Amanda Williamson, Glenna Batson, Sarah Whatley and Rebecca Weber (Bristol: Intellect. 2014). [Reviewed by Jacqueline Watson, University of Exeter]
Spirituality. A guide for the perplexed - Philip Sheldrake (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2014) [Reviewed by Janet Wilson, Sheffield Hallam University, UK]
2015 - Issue 5.01
The Illusion of Separation: Exploring the cause of our present crisis – Giles Hutchins (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2014). [Reviewed by Duncan Coombe, Ashridge Business School, UK]
Crossing the River: The contribution of spirituality to our humanity and its future – edited by Arthur Hawes and Ben Bano (Hove, East Sussex: Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd., 2014). [Reviewed by Sara Ashencaen Crabtree, Bournemouth University, UK]
The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the woman at the heart of Christianity – Cynthia Bourgeault (Boston, MA: Shambhala, 2010). [Reviewed by Giles Hutchins, author and blogger, https://thenatureofbusiness.org/, UK]
Spiritual Capital: Spirituality in practice in Christian perspective – edited by Michael O’Sullivan and Bernadette Flanagan (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2012). [Reviewed by John Swinton, University of Aberdeen, UK]
The Unselfish Spirit: Human evolution in a time of global crisis – Mick Collins (East Meon, Hampshire: Permanent Publications, 2014). [Reviewed by Jacqueline Watson, University of Exeter , UK]
2014 - Issue 4.02
No book reviews.
2014 - Issue 4.01
Spirituality: An Introduction – Philip Sheldrake (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012). [Reviewed by Karen Blakeley, University of Winchester Business School, UK]
The Power of Modern Spirituality: How to live a life of compassion and fulfilment - William Bloom (London: Piatkus, 2011). [Reviewed by Joycelin Dawes, Quaker Social Action and Friends Provident Foundation, UK]
Awakening the Universal Heart: A guide for spiritual activists - Serge Beddington-Behrens (London: Umbria Press, 2013). [Reviewed by Janice Dolley, The Open University, UK]
The Caretakers of the Cosmos: Living responsibly in an unfinished world - Gary Lachman (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2013). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Spiritual Care in Everyday Nursing Practice: A new approach - Janice Clarke (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013). [Reviewed by Linda Ross , University of South Wales]
A Spiritual Bloomsbury: Hinduism and homosexuality in the lives and writing of Edward Carpenter, E. M. Forster, and Christopher Isherwood - Antony Copley (Lanham MD and Oxford: Lexington Books, 2006). [Reviewed by Michael Turnbull, former Bishop of Rochester and of Durham, UK]*
Music and the Spiritual: Composers and politics in the 20th century - Antony Copley (London: Ziggurat Books, 2012). [Reviewed by Michael Turnbull, former Bishop of Rochester and of Durham, UK]*
* Combined review
2013 - Issue 3.02
Dementia: Living in the memories of God – John Swinton (London: SCM Press, 2012). [Reviewed by Jocelyn Bryan, St John’s College, Durham University]
The Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare - edited by Mark R Cobb, Christina M Puchalski, and Bruce Rumbold (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012). [Reviewed by Cecilia Lai Wan Chan and Candy Hio Cheng Fong, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong]
In Case of Spiritual Emergency: Moving successfully through your awakening - Catherine Lucas (Forres, Scotland: Findhorn Press, 2011). [Reviewed by Isabel Clarke, clinical psychologist and author, UK]
Returning to Reality: Thomas Merton’s wisdom for a technological age - Phillip Thompson (Cambridge: Lutterworth Press, 2013). [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar, UK]*
Thomas Merton: Twentieth-century wisdom for twenty-first century living - Paul Dekar (Cambridge: Lutterworth Press, 2012). [Reviewed by Larry Culliford, Independent Scholar, UK]*
Interreligious Learning. Dialogue, Spirituality and the Christian Imagination - Michael S J Barnes (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012). [Reviewed by Ursula King, University of Bristol, UK]
Soul Pain: Priests reflect on personal experiences of serious and terminal illness - edited by Jennifer Tann (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 2013). [Reviewed by Brian Ludlow, Chief Medical Adviser, Magnox Ltd, UK]
The Spirit of Project Management - Judi Neal and Alan Harpham (Farnham, UK: Gower Publishing, 2012). [Reviewed by Jonathan Smith, Anglia Ruskin University, UK]
* Combined review.
2013 - Issue 3.01
Steps to an Ecology of Soul – Bryce Taylor (Boston Spa: Oasis Press, 2012). [Reviewed by William Bloom, Director of Spiritual Companions, UK]
The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Christian Mysticism - edited by Julia A. Lamm (Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013). [Reviewed by Dermot Tredget, St Mary's University, Twickenham. UK]
Emanuel Swedenborg - translated by K.C. Ryder with an introductory essay by Jorge Luis Borges, Heaven and Hell (London: Swedenborg Society, 2010).* [Reviewed by Richard Lines, Company Secretary of The Swedenborg Society, London, UK]
*Swedenborg’s original Latin text, De Coelo at et ejus Mirabilibus et de Inferno, ex Auditis et Visis, was published in London in 1758. A new edition of the Latin text by John Elliott was published by the Swedenborg Society in 2010.
2012 - Issue 2.02
Religion and Change in Modern Britain - edited by Linda Woodhead and Rebecca Catto (London: Routledge, 2012). [Reviewed by Chris Clarke, Independent Scholar, UK]
Handbook of Religion and Health (second edition) - edited by Harold Koenig, Dana King and Verna B. Carson (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012). [Reviewed by Peter Gilbert, Staffordshire University, UK]
Spiritual Care at the End of Life. The Chaplain as a ‘Hopeful Presence' - Steve Nolan (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012). [Reviewed by Carlo Leget, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands]
Subversive Spirituality: Transforming mission through the collapse of space and time - L. Paul Jensen (Cambridge: James Clarke & Co, 2011). [Reviewed by Timothy Bernard Walsh, Regents Theological College, West Malvern, UK]
2012 - Issue 2.01
Critical Spirituality: A holistic approach to contemporary practice – Fiona Gardner (Farnham: Ashgate, 2011). [Reviewed by Christopher Barber, Registered Nurse (learning disabilities) and author, UK]
Politics and the Occult: The Left, the Right and the Radically Unseen – Gary Lachman (Wheaton IL: Quest, 2008). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Being and Becoming: Exploring the teachings of evolutionary enlightenment – Andrew Cohen (Lenox: EnlightenNext Publishing, 2010). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Spirituality and Mental Health: A handbook for service users, carers and staff wishing to bring a spiritual dimension to mental health services – Peter Gilbert (Shoreham-by-Sea: Pavilion Publishing, 2012). [Reviewed by Steve Nolan, Princess Alice Hospice, Esher, UK]
MisLeadership: Prevalence, causes and consequences – John Rayment and Jonathan Smith (Abingdon: Routledge, 2011). [Reviewed by Eve Poole, Foundation for Workplace Spirituality, UK]
Buddhist and Christian? An exploration of dual belonging – Rose Drew (Abingdon: Routledge, 2011).[Reviewed by Ross Thompson, Independent Scholar and priest, UK]
2011 - Issue 1.02
Queer Spiritual Places: Sexuality and sacred places – Kath Browne, Sally R. Munt and Andrew K. T. Yip (London: Ashgate Publishing, 2010).[Reviewed by Carol D. Allan, PhD student, University of Alberta, Canada)
Spirituality and Social Work – Margaret Holloway and Bernard Moss (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010). [Reviewed by Peter Gilbert, Staffordshire University, UK]
Living Faithfully in a Fragmented World: From ‘After Virtue’ to a New Monasticism (second edition) – Jonathan R. Wilson (Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press). [Reviewed by Arthur Hawes, National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum, UK].
The Quest of Hermes Trigmegistus: From Ancient Egypt to the modern world – Gary Lachman (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2011). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]*
The Participatory Turn: Spirituality, mysticism, religious studies - edited by Jorge N. Ferrer and Jacob H Sherman (Albany: State University of New York Press, 2008). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]*
Hope for Humanity: How understanding and healing trauma could solve the planetary crisis – Malcolm Hollick and Christine Connelly (Ropley, UK: O-Books, 2010). [Reviewed by Rolf-Ulrich Kramer, Independent Scholar and Management Coach, Germany]
* Combined review
2011 - Issue 1.01
The Return of Perennial Philosophy: The supreme vision of Western esotericism - John Holman, London: Watkins Publishing, 2008. [Reviewed by Ronald Benedikter, Stanford University, USA].
Weaving the Cosmos: Science, religion and ecology – Chris Clarke (Arlesford, Hampshire:O-Books, 2010). [Reviewed by Tim Firth, Wrekin Forum, UK]
Spiritual Assessment in Health Practice – edited by Wilfred McSherry and Linda Ross (Cumbria: M&K Publishing). [Reviewed by Tove Giske, Haraldsplass Deaconess University College & Hospital, Bergen, Norway]
Metaphysics and the Cosmic Order – Joseph Milne (London: Temenos Academy, 2008). [Reviewed by Mike King, Independent Scholar, UK]
Why Spirituality is Difficult for Westerners – David Hay (Exeter: Imprint Academic, 2009). [Reviewed by David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network, UK]*
$elling Spirituality - Jeremy Carrette and Richard King (London: Routledge, 2005). [Reviewed by David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network, UK]*
Spiritualities of Life - Paul Heelas (London: Blackwell, 2008). [Reviewed by David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network, UK]*
The Search for Spirituality - Ursula King (Canterbury: Canterbury Press, 2009). [Reviewed by David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network, UK]*
Exploring the Spiritual: Paths for counsellors and psychotherapists – David Matteson (Abingdon: Routledge, 2008) [Reviewed by John Rowan, Transpersonal Psychologist, UK]
The Psychology of Spirituality: An Introduction – Larry Culliford. (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing). [Reviewed by Ingrid Slack, Chartered Counselling Psychologist and Transpersonal Therapist, Milton Keynes, UK].
A New Renaissance: Transforming science, spirit and society – edited by David Lorimer and Oliver Robinson (Edinburgh: Floris Books, 2010). [Reviewed by Eleanor Stoneham, Independent Scholar, UK.
* Combined review article entitled 'Whither Spirituality?'.
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