Play Audiobook Sample
An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.01) - 1,733 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
In the New York Times bestseller An Altar in the World, acclaimed author Barbara Brown Taylor continues her spiritual journey by building upon where she left off in Leaving Church. With the honesty of Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) and the spiritual depth of Anne Lamott (Grace, Eventually), Taylor shares how she learned to find God beyond the church walls by embracing the sacred as a natural part of everyday life. In An Altar in the World, Taylor shows us how to discover altars everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do as we learn to live with purpose, pay attention, slow down, and revere the world we live in.
Download and start listening now!
"I agreed with so much that Taylor has discovered about God out in the world. For those struggling with organized religion, this is a good resource for considering and accepting ways to worship outside of formal walls. For those that have never thought about the fact that a relationship with God is more than sitting in a pew, agreeing to help with crafts at summer VBS, and serving on a committee, you need to read this to find out what you're missing in your daily relationship with our Creator."
— Kim (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“The author seems simply incapable of writing a bad book. And this volume, which focuses on spiritual practices, simply adds to her growing reputation.”
— Kansas City Star -
“Taylor’s spiritual reflections are original, bringing fresh air to her topics because her spirituality is steeped in everyday life while illuminated by the ancient Christian spiritual tradition.”
— National Catholic Reporter -
“Author and narrator Barbara Brown Taylor’s welcoming tone and spot-on phrasing combine perfectly in this engaging consideration of nature and the divine…She is an engaging teacher whose easy-listening voice and practiced pacing help convey her thought-provoking lessons on living intentionally. That hanging laundry on a line, for example, could be as contemplative and hopeful as hanging Tibetan prayer flags made me want to eschew my dryer. This is a listening experience to savor…Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile -
“Taylor is one of those rare people who truly can see the holy in everything…Savor this book.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Many readers, especially the vast numbers of the ‘unchurched’ but ‘spiritual,’ will find support and useful counsel.…will find support and useful counsel.”
— Library Journal -
“Elegant, wise, and insightful, this book is also sacramental: it mediates the life it describes.”
— Marcus Borg, author of Jesus -
“I have been reading Barbara Brown Taylor for years now, and nothing she has written has stirred and inspired me quite as much as An Altar in the World.”
— Lauren Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath -
“One of the best-known preachers in the country offers equal amounts of wisdom and erudition spent longing for more meaning, more feeling, more connection.”
— Booklist
Awards
-
Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
-
A #1 Amazon.com bestseller in Episcopalian Christianity
An Altar in the World Listener Reviews
-
" I liked the way Taylor expanded the concept of church and spirituality to move beyond the confines of a building and to the daily doings of each life . "
— Marginalia2, 2/16/2014 -
" I don't quite understand how she reconciles her clear love of the Christian faith with her seeming belief that all faiths are equally valid, but I found lots of this book very thought-provoking and helpful. I particularly valued the chapters on seeing God in other people and keeping Sabbath. "
— Pgchuis, 2/9/2014 -
" Why have I never read Barbara Brown Taylor before? I must now read everything she's ever written. "
— Carolyn, 2/7/2014 -
" The end is fantastic, but it drags a bit in the middle. "
— Allison, 1/29/2014 -
" If I remember nothing else about this book, I hope I remember well the chapter on being present. "
— Jill, 1/25/2014 -
" Wonderful book!! Not a story but each chapter stands on its on. Used to enhance my devotional time, and it has enlightened and challenged me. Truly a great writer! A MUST READ "
— Catherine, 1/24/2014 -
" I enjoyed reading this one slowly, chapter at a time, and leaving time to reflect. I found myself stopping to re-read sentences and paragraphs, just because Barbara Brown Taylor says something so profound, so simply and so well. Like medicine for the soul. "
— Melanie, 1/20/2014 -
" I want to live inside of this book. "
— Leslie, 1/9/2014 -
" Recommended to me and I'm so glad it was... "
— Rebecca, 1/1/2014 -
" Reading for the second time. "
— Eileen, 12/31/2013 -
" One of those books that I must possess my own copy...so much wisdom and goodness. This is a life-giving book. "
— Samantha, 12/22/2013 -
" Date I started this book: November 29, 2010 "
— WillowAtSunset, 12/1/2013 -
" Didn't just love it like I thought I would "
— Dana, 11/11/2013 -
" Read this as part of a small group study through my church and found the many ways and places we and find God in our daily lives. Not only when in church. "
— Susan, 10/30/2013 -
" This book will reignite your soul. Please, please read it. "
— Michael, 10/11/2013 -
" This is a wonderful book that nurtures a way of seeing the sacred in every day living, including things that would ordinarily seem mundane and boring. "
— Diem, 8/27/2013 -
" I loved the way Barbara Brown Taylor ushers her readers along as she describes spiritual practices. Truly soul-stirring. "
— Leigh, 8/26/2013 -
" Loved this!A book that will not live on a shelf, but permanently on my nightstand. "
— Jennifer, 1/21/2013 -
" I've been reading BBT's writing for more than ten years. This is her best book. Read it! "
— John, 12/7/2012 -
" Should be read and re-read - - at least once a year. "
— Deidre, 11/10/2012 -
" Stunning in its simplicity, turn of phrase and wisdom. An a-ha on every page. "
— Angela, 6/19/2012 -
" I loved this book. A lot of little anecdotes for reflection. I will go back and read parts again when I need a little spiritual guidance. "
— Amy, 4/3/2012 -
" This is a New York Times bestseller written by a former minister. She encourages you to find the sacred in the small things we do everyday. It wasn't revolutionary for me, but it did cause reflection and was well written. "
— Janae, 4/3/2012 -
" Non-fiction - Opportunities to bring greater intention to each day. "
— Linda, 2/12/2012 -
" Beautifully written book which will make you think differently about yourself and the world around you. Read with Theology on Tap group from church. "
— Carol, 9/22/2011 -
" A great read for a lay Christian and 12 different areas of focus to help one become closer to God. "
— Murray, 6/9/2011 -
" This is a new favorite of mine. Recommended for fans of Kathleen Norris and Anne Lamott. "
— Jennifer, 5/27/2011 -
" Date I started this book: November 29, 2010 "
— WillowAtSunset, 5/12/2011 -
" Shelley Laverty recommended this book, and I'm glad she did. The chapter on pain hit home as a 15 year old Timmy Day down the street had a stroke while I was reading it. "
— Maryann, 5/8/2011 -
" Loved how Taylor made me see the sacredness to the "simple" things in our everyday lives. <br/>Felt like it was a timely book for the season i'm in! "
— Krissy, 3/25/2011 -
" Quick read but so confirmed alot of what I believe--and reminded me of it. "
— Linda, 3/20/2011 -
" Read this for a book group, loved it. I had just read her "Leaving Church", would love to hear her speak. "
— Jeannette, 3/5/2011 -
" Spiritual practices grounded in the everyday makes each moment a prayer to God. "
— Laura, 2/22/2011
About Barbara Brown Taylor
Barbara Brown Taylor is an American Episcopal priest, professor, author, and theologian and is one of the United States’ best known preachers. In 2014, she was included in Time magazine’s annual list of most influential people in the world. In the early 2000s, she chose to leave active ministry while retaining her ordination. Her memoir Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith was the first of a trilogy of books about redefining her faith followed by An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith and Learning to Walk in the Dark.