Tales of Wonder: Adventures Chasing the Divine, an Autobiography - Paperback

by Huston Smith (Author)

"In this delightful autobiography, Smith tells us how he became the dean of world religion experts. Along the way we meet the people who shaped him and shared his journey--a Who's Who of 20th century spiritual America: the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the Dalai Lama, Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary, T.S. Eliot, Thomas Merton and Pete Seeger.... A valuable master class on faith and life."
-- San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

As Stephen Hawking is to science; as Peter Drucker is to economics; and as Joseph Campbell is to mythology; so Huston Smith is to the study of world religions. Tales of Wonder is the unforgettable spiritual memoir of the author of the classic The World's Religions, the man who taught a nation about the great faiths of the world, and his fascinating encounters with the people who helped shape the 20th century.

This is more than an autobiography--it's a testament to a life spent chasing the divine across cultural and religious frontiers.

• A Remarkable Spiritual Journey: From a childhood in missionary China to training in a Zen monastery, practicing with Hindu yogis, and whirling with Sufi dervishes in Iran.
• Encounters with 20th Century Spiritual Leaders: Walk alongside Smith as he meets and learns from luminaries like the Dalai Lama, Aldous Huxley, and Thomas Merton.
• The Heart of Comparative Religion: Discover the personal story behind the classic text The World's Religions and the universal truths Smith found at the heart of every faith.
• A Master Class on Faith: A life of ceaseless exploration that offers profound reflections on what it means to be human, to seek, and to find wonder in the world.

Front Jacket

Smith's life is a story of uncanny synchronicity. He was there for pivotal moments in human history such as the founding of the United Nations and the student uprising at Tiananmen Square. As he traveled the world he encountered thinkers who shaped the twentieth century, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Merton.

In search of intellectual and spiritual treasures, Smith traveled to India to meet with Mother Teresa, befriended the Dalai Lama, and recorded music with Pete Seger. Most important, he shared the world's religions with the West--writing two bestselling books and serving as the focus of a five-part PBS series by Bill Moyers.

Huston Smith is a national treasure. His life is an extraordinary adventure, and in his amazing Tales of Wonder, he invites you to come along to explore your own vistas of heart, mind, and soul.

----Anne Lamott

Back Jacket

Smith's life is a story of uncanny synchronicity. He was there for pivotal moments in human history such as the founding of the United Nations and the student uprising at Tiananmen Square. As he traveled the world he encountered thinkers who shaped the twentieth century, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thomas Merton.

In search of intellectual and spiritual treasures, Smith traveled to India to meet with Mother Teresa, befriended the Dalai Lama, and recorded music with Pete Seger. Most important, he shared the world's religions with the West--writing two bestselling books and serving as the focus of a five-part PBS series by Bill Moyers.

Huston Smith is a national treasure. His life is an extraordinary adventure, and in his amazing Tales of Wonder, he invites you to come along to explore your own vistas of heart, mind, and soul.