The spirit of the Quakers
Publication date 2010Topics Society of Friends, Society of Friends -- History -- SourcesPublisher New Haven : Yale University Press in association with the International Sacred Literature Trust
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Geoffrey Durham
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The Spirit of the Quakers Kindle Edition
by Geoffrey Durham (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
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Who are the Quakers, what do they believe, and what do they practice? The Religious Society of Friends—also known as Quakers-—believes that everyone can have a direct experience of God. Quakers express this in a unique form of worship that inspires them to work for change in themselves and in the world. In The Spirit of the Quakers, Geoffrey Durham, himself a Friend, explains Quakerism through quotations from writings that cover 350 years, from the beginnings of the movement to the present day.
Peace and equality are major themes in the book, but readers will also find thought-provoking passages on the importance of action for social change, the primacy of truth, the value of simplicity, the need for a sense of community, and much more. The quoted texts convey a powerful religious impulse, courage in the face of persecution, the warmth of human relationships, and dedicated perseverance in promoting just causes.
The extended quotations have been carefully selected from well-known Quakers such as George Fox, William Penn, John Greenleaf Whittier, Elizabeth Fry and John Woolman, as well as many contemporary Friends. Together with Geoffrey Durham’s enlightening and sympathetic introductions to the texts, the extracts from these writers form an engaging, often moving guide to this accessible and open-hearted religious faith.
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Print length
256 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Durham is an English Quaker, "convinced" (the Quaker term for those not born to the faith) to join the faith in 1999. The book is fairly idiosyncratic in its organization. The lengthy history of Quakerism (begun around 1650) is covered in a four-page chronology. Durham's exposition introduces excerpts from major Quaker writers. This principle makes theoretical sense, since Quakers, known early as "publishers of truth," have been voluminous writers and journal-keepers. But major points get submerged; Quakerism has a notable history in America of objecting to the institution of slavery, for example, but that's not apparent in this book. Additional exposition would have better marshaled and provided context for the excerpted material. Durham's British roots and his affiliation with the unprogrammed wing of Quakerism also dramatically affect his selection of essential writers and even his timeline. Rufus Jones and William Penn are underrepresented; Richard Foster, a well-known evangelical Quaker, is altogether absent. Anthologies invariably evoke this kind of debate. Yet this is a disappointingly limited introduction for Americans. British Quakers may well be more satisfied.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Review
"They [the Quakers] are fascinating. . . . Durham directs the reader to the movement's most articulate members. . . . The reader sees what goes on in Quaker meetings [and] how inspired members have contributed to social change in many areas."--Susan Salter Reynolds, Los Angeles Times
-- Susan Salter Reynolds ― Los Angeles Times --This text refers to the paperback edition.
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Product details
ASIN : B007XQ36RS
Publisher : Yale University Press (November 16, 2010)
Publication date : November 16, 2010
Language : English
File size : 635 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 256 pagesBest Sellers Rank: #933,809 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)#105 in Quaker Christianity (Kindle Store)
#176 in Quaker Christianity (Books)Customer Reviews:
4.6 out of 5 stars 23 ratings
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Victoria Ekk
4.0 out of 5 stars enlightening Quaker writingReviewed in the United States on January 2, 2015
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I was challenged by the selected readings. This is a book to help you grow towards a more spiritual self.
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Char
5.0 out of 5 stars Since birth...Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2017
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Very interesting read...
One person found this helpful
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Peter Dale
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
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As advertised.
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The Spirit of the Quakers
(The Spirit of ...)
by Geoffrey Durham
3.98 · Rating details · 45 ratings · 8 reviews
An inspiring and enlightening introduction to Quakerism, the second title in the Yale University Press “The Spirit of . . .”series
Who are the Quakers, what do they believe, and what do they practice? The Religious Society of Friends—also known as Quakers-—believes that everyone can have a direct experience of God. Quakers express this in a unique form of worship that inspires them to work for change in themselves and in the world. In The Spirit of the Quakers, Geoffrey Durham, himself a Friend, explains Quakerism through quotations from writings that cover 350 years, from the beginnings of the movement to the present day.
Peace and equality are major themes in the book, but readers will also find thought-provoking passages on the importance of action for social change, the primacy of truth, the value of simplicity, the need for a sense of community, and much more. The quoted texts convey a powerful religious impulse, courage in the face of persecution, the warmth of human relationships, and dedicated perseverance in promoting just causes.
The extended quotations have been carefully selected from well-known Quakers such as George Fox, William Penn, John Greenleaf Whittier, Elizabeth Fry and John Woolman, as well as many contemporary Friends. Together with Geoffrey Durham’s enlightening and sympathetic introductions to the texts, the extracts from these writers form an engaging, often moving guide to this accessible and open-hearted religious faith. (less)
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Paperback, 256 pages
Published November 16th 2010 by Yale University Press (first published November 1st 2010)
ISBN0300167369 (ISBN13: 9780300167368)
Edition LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Spirit of ...
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Linda Hepworth
Dec 15, 2019Linda Hepworth rated it liked it
The author's stated aim in writing this book was to "guide new readers down the hidden paths of Quaker literature in a logical way, based on my own experience and a sense of what they might want to know next." However, he acknowledged that this might not work for everyone and invited his readers to "dip in wherever you wish". Having found that reading in a sequential way wasn't working for me, I adopted the latter approach for the majority of the book and found that this enabled me to remain engaged with the writing. By dipping in and out of the book over two week period I felt able to spend time reflecting on the various contributions. I already knew something about the tenets of Quakerism before I started reading but gained considerably more depth to my knowledge by the time I'd finished.
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Katy
Mar 30, 2021Katy rated it really liked it
An easily digestible and moving introduction to Quaker beliefs and ethos, this book is like several books in one. It includes quotes, analysis, and Quaker journals.
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Mjlibrary NDSCS
Oct 05, 2012Mjlibrary NDSCS marked it as to-read
Shelves: etransmitter
289.609 Sp48
Unlike the other books in the group, Quakers are The Religious Society of Friends; and they believe that everyone can experience God without the mediation of priests or religious leaders. Anyone can be a Quaker who accepts this premise. The movement began over 350 years ago, and well-known Quakers have been writing about peacemaking, simplicity, truth and equality for all of those years. There is considerable ignorance about the actual beliefs of Quakers, but Durham traces the development of the Society and gives a clear picture of contemporary Quaker faith and practice. He has been a Quaker since 1999 and is a regular speaker at Quaker events.
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Acacia Green
Jan 12, 2013Acacia Green rated it it was amazing
Quakerism involves following your inner light. If you are remotely questioning your religion or belief system, then I'd recommend this book.
This book takes you on a brief history of the movement, and while it's based on Christian beliefs, the Society of Friends has evolved over time, but the essence has remained the same.
I learned a lot about Quakers reading this book, had a lot of questions answered. Durham's writing is easy to read and looks at the movement without browbeating. Durham discloses his interest in the movement.
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Kaye
Nov 30, 2013Kaye rated it it was ok
Shelves: read_in_2013, religion
There was nothing overtly wrong with this book, but I just prefer a more narrative style. This consisted of many, many unrelated paragraphs, from all kinds of Quakers in different times.
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Bryan Richard
May 14, 2013Bryan Richard added it
I really found this an interesting book. It is the first book I have ever read about the Quakers. This one was written by a Quaker which made it more interesting.
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Alan Fricker
Jan 25, 2013Alan Fricker rated it really liked it
A long time in reading but only because I got distracted. very worthwhile collection of quaker writing
Top reviews from other countries
Phil Rogers
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative & Well constructedReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2014
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As a person interested in all things spiritual and one who is on a continuing journey of spiritual discovery, I have found myself being drawn towards the Quakers. This book is informative of the current thinking and practise of Quakers in the UK and gives a very broad historical perspective and position of the movement along with insight as to how and why it is what it is.
I would also add that I now have a much clearer view and understanding of Quakers.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Good compilation of writings from Quaker sourcesReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2018
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A lovely book to dip into. Good compilation of writings from Quaker sources, plus personal comments from the author.
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James Pavitt
5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect introductionReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2012
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Beautifully written in a plain an simple style this is an excellent introduction to contemporary Quaker practice. Highly recommended reading for all who are new to Friends.
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Mr. G. Wheatley
4.0 out of 5 stars InterestingReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2015
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Has some interesting thoughts, but it is a long book and takes its time to make a point, I do recommend it but their are also other better written books out there.
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S E A
5.0 out of 5 stars Quakers in a spiritual nutshellReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2012
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An excellent and easily accessible introduction to Quakers in the 21st century, the book gets to the heart of what brings many people to the society of friends which is (as the title indicates) through spiritual questing.
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