Gifts of the Desert

October 3, 2005
Markides, a sociology professor who has written extensively about healers and mystics, resumes his exploration of Eastern Orthodox Christianity by taking readers on pilgrimages to places as diverse as Sedona, Ariz., and the Greek island of Patmos. As he did in The Mountain of Silence, Markides uses the charismatic Father Maximos to answer questions about the faith. This time, Maximos holds forth on such topics as anger without sin, death and near-death experiences and the "primal passions" of hedonism and narcissism. But before Markides can pose his questions, he must contend with a major change: Maximos has become bishop of the Church of Cyprus and is far less available than when he was a monastery abbot. To gather material for this book, Markides often has to "ambush" the bishop with help from those who know his schedule; the creative ways he manages to connect with the holy man make for good reading. Markides keeps his theme fresh by introducing new places and figures, such as an Orthodox monastery in the Arizona desert and the well-known Kallistos Ware, Greek Orthodox bishop and convert from Anglicanism. Readers who enjoyed Mountain will be most interested in this sequel, but newcomers will find it accessible as well.

September 15, 2005
Markides ("Riding with the Lion") continues the examination of Eastern Orthodox mystical teachings and practices he began with 2001's "The Mountain of Silence". Here he shares insights from his visits to monasteries and hermitages in Greece and America and his interviews with contemporary holy elders. Subjects he touches upon include prayer, thought, the Threefold Way, and laws governing the supersensible and spiritual realms. This discussion complements John Horgan's "Rational Mysticism" and contemporizes Bernard McGinn's "The Growth of Mysticism" and "The Flowering of Mysticism". A broad range of people -from Christians seeking insight into their religion to those curious about the source of spiritual renewal and rejuvenation to critics of religion or the church -will be challenged and are sure to explore the bibliographical works cited at the close of the book, as well as look to the footnotes for further reflection. There is no hiding from the difficult questions many have posed regarding religion in recent years, and that is what makes this book so appealing to a wide audience. Recommended for public and academic libraries. -Leroy Hommerding, Fort Myers Beach P.L. Dist., FL

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2005
In " The Mountain of Silence" (2001), Markides introduced Father Maximos, a charismatic Orthodox bishop and former abbot of a secluded monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. This book can be considered a sequel in which Markides continues his conversation with the cleric. But it also sees Markides journeying to a Greek Orthodox monastery in the Arizona desert; to Cyprus for a reunion with Maximos, who has been elected bishop of the Church of Cyprus; on a pilgrimage to holy shrines aboard, of all things, a cruise ship in the Aegean Sea; and back to Mount Athos. Throughout, the wisdom of Maximos follows Markides as he attempts to deepen his understanding of the Eastern Orthodox spiritual tradition and create bridges between Eastern Christianity and the West. Markides imparts the lessons he learned to his readers, largely in literally two-way conversations between him and Maximos and him and other religious figures--a device that lends the book an appealing and also visceral you-are-there feeling.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)