Who Were the Most Innovative Spiritual
Leaders of the Past Century?
Fascinating profiles of the most important
spiritual leaders of the past one hundred years. An invaluable
reference of twentieth-century religion and an inspiring
resource for spiritual challenge today.
Black Elk, H. H. the Dalai Lama, Mary
Baker Eddy, Abraham Joshua Heschel, J. Krishnamurti, C. S.
Lewis, Thomas Merton, Elijah Muhammad, Meher Baba, Joseph
Campbell, Simone Weil, Pope John XXIII, Shunryu Suzuki, Aimee
Semple McPherson, Billy Graham, Dorothy Day, Thich Nhat Hanh,
Martin Luther King, Jr. … these are just some of the
spiritual leaders who have changed our world.
The result of a nationwide survey of
experts in leading universities and seminaries, as well as
leading representatives of dozens of religious traditions and
spiritual persuasions, this authoritative list of seventy-five
includes martyrs and mystics, intellectuals and charismatics
from East and West. Their lives and wisdom are now easily
accessible in this inspiring volume.
A celebration of the human spirit, ideal
for both seekers and believers, the curious and the passionate,
thinkers and doers, this book is an authoritative guide to the
most creative spiritual ideas and actions of the past
century—a challenge for us today.
“Here are individuals who affirmed
in their daily lives what truly matters. Thereby, they touch
us, inspire us, and stir us to take stock of this earthly
existence: collectively, a large gift, indeed, from them to so
many, the readers of this book included.”
—Dr.
Robert Coles
“A wonderful, provocative
collection…. The short profiles make interesting
reading—and, often, discovery—and the quotations
and bibliographies following each profile make this an even
more valuable resource. It’s an admiring and instructive
survey … I found it fascinating to read, and I
learned a lot.”
—Bob
Abernethy, executive editor and
host, Religion & Ethics
Newsweekly, PBS
“Spiritual seekers, especially those
at the beginning of their quest, will welcome this chance to
get acquainted with seventy-five spiritual leaders who have
helped to change the religious climate of our time.”
—Roy
Larson, director, Garrett-Medill
Center for Religion and the News Media
“This is a powerful and inspiring
gathering of voices that need to be heard now. Please read this
wonderful book.”
—Joan
Halifax Roshi, head teacher, Upaya
Zen Center
“A fascinating and richly rewarding
‘encyclopedia’ of people who have shaped the
religious landscape over the last century.”
—Marcus
Borg, author, bestsellers Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time
and Reading the
Bible Again for the First Time
“Highlights a bright galaxy of
stellar sages, activists, and intellectuals who have moved the
world and inspires us by revealing what each of us can be. I
recommend it to anyone who, like myself, wants to transform
oneself and transform the world.”
—Lama
Surya Das, author, Awakening the Buddha Within;
founder, Western Buddhist Teachers Network
and the Dzochen Center
“Invites more than a quick look-see
at the honored and the unconventional.”
—John
Dart, former Los Angeles Times religion
writer
