zzt's review against another edition
5.0
The most recent and complete English language translation of the Book of the Dead.
mducks's review against another edition
5.0
The most recent and complete English language translation of the Book of the Dead.
maseface's review
hopeful
slow-paced
I'm not going to give this a star review because it seems wrong to do that for a religious text. Wherever I end up on my spiritual journey I think this book will help me to get there.
eulaspiegel's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting, I feel like I have a much better understanding of and appreciation for Tibetan Buddhism after reading this.
Sections of it were very repetitive, but that comes with the territory of a religious book with detailed descriptions of rituals and mantras. Overall recommended, but only if you are really interested in this religion.
Sections of it were very repetitive, but that comes with the territory of a religious book with detailed descriptions of rituals and mantras. Overall recommended, but only if you are really interested in this religion.
spookytrashlover's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
23149014345613's review against another edition
4.0
If I had to pick a religion, I'd pick Buddhism. I don't buy into any of the demons or gods or reincarnation stuff (which is what turned me off from it when I first got interested as a kid) but I've always loved the focus on mental fortitude, self-awareness and self-control. This book has some crazy cool imagery (Lords of Death who "lick up thy brain, drink thy blood, eat thy flesh and gnaw thy bones") but at the end of the day reminds you that these figures are symbolic ("in reality there are no such things existing outside oneself as Lord of Death") and the true enemy to be conquered is not Death but Fear. I'm not trying to discredit anyone's experience of Buddhism that may be more esoteric and mystical, but for my money, as a person looking for a frank discussion of death and the philosophy of dying, this was a fun, quick read with some neat imagery. Side note: I bought a cheap copy online, not the one pictured here, and the typesetting and translation were truly atrocious, which really interfered with my enjoyment (but that didn't effect my rating).
italo_carlvino's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
hand's review against another edition
3.0
Might be interesting if you understood it. but it was never meant to be read outside of its original cultural context, so good luck with that