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87th out of 287 books
—
53 voters
Mother Teresa: A Complete Authorized Biography
During her lifetime, Mother Teresa resisted having her full biography written. Then, in 1991, realizing that accounts of her life and work could inspire others, she gave Kathryn Spink, who had long been intimately involved with the work of Mother Teresa and her order and co-workers around the world, permission to proceed with a complete biography on the understanding that...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
September 1st 1998
by HarperOne
(first published 1997)
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I decided to take a focused approach to learning about people I've heard about all my life but knew very little about. I'm starting with Mother Teresa (soon to be followed by Gandhi and Mao Zedong). The biography is good, but the woman is incredible! I'm still in her early years in India. I am inspired by her dedicated choice to be committed to the work of God. She says, "Holiness is not the luxury of the few. It is a simple duty for you and for me." Mother Teresa's life leads me to believe that...more
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Life-changing book for me. This book is well written but it's the story and direct quotes from Mother Teresa that are really life-changing. This is the best book on Mother Teresa's life. The movie by the Petrie Sisters, called Mother Teresa, as well, is possibly the most amazing documentary I've ever seen. It is full of real life footage of Mother Teresa and is a great supplement to this book. (And by the way, this book transcends religious lines. I'm LDS, not Catholic but truth is truth and I'm...more
Mother Teresa was so extreme in her devotion to the poor that reading about her made me feel like two cents. I actually wasn't enjoying the book that much for awhile, it was basically: M.T. opens a church. M.T. chooses to sleep in a pile of dirt for two years. M.T. battles the Vatican to get her way. Repeat. But I felt like a beeyotch if I couldn't even READ a book about M.T. Like, she could sleep in a pile of dirt so the least I can do is read about it. In that sense, I suggest that NOBODY PICK...more
I picked this book off of my mother-in-law's shelf, and found it very absorbing. I guess the thing that impressed me most about Mother Teresa was her single-minded devotion to what she saw as her mission in life: to love and serve "the poorest of the poor." This book had plenty of her philosophy and quoted many of her letters and speeches. But some of my favorite parts were the ones that talked about her leadership style and her amazing gift for motivating and inspiring other people. Never compr...more
I really liked this, especially knowing that the author knew Mother Teresa and was able to cover her whole life. In the introduction, Spink says she was told to focus on Mother Teresa's philosophy more than on her as a person, and she covered the philosophy very well, as well as giving a detailed view of the person. I'm so impressed by M.T.'s ability to see Christ in everyone, and her desire to serve especially those people beyond help. I appreciated that Spink told some of the criticisms and ch...more
When I wasn't feeling like a horrible person or getting bogged down by all the little details, this book was actually not that bad. I mean Mother Teresa's life is interesting; she did a lot of good work and was world-renowned, she bypassed religious and national lines, she was, in short, a great person. I think where I had problems with this book was the writing. At times, I felt like I was reading a list of details, rather than a story of someone's life... sometimes it felt like reading a poorl...more
I enjoyed getting to know the amazing women. Certainly what she accomplished in her life as she worked with the poorest of the poor is amazing. There were things I didn't follow so well and certain theological aspects I didn't agree with since I am not catholic and I listened to rather than read the book, but it served as a reminder of the good I can do if I seek for service opportunities where ever I am.
This book gave me a lot to think about and a lot to be greatful for. Mother Teresa was an amazing woman. I guess in my own sheltered little world I didn't know all of the suffering that went on around the world. I was impressed with her faith and dedication and that she did it until the very last moment of her life. I knew that she had done work in Calcutta but I didn't know about all the other places that she did work in including the United States.
For me this was an amazing book to read and the writer put it in a way that allows the reader to understand the vocation and the spirituality behind the scene. I'm sure none of us will be able to wake in her foot steps because we would not have the full appreciation of the insight and the doctrine to truly understand the meaning to give to the poor and help someone in need.
I liked it. It was fairly easy prose, but the ideas and insights into Mother Teresa's thought process and maturation as a disciple ... I found fascinating and difficult at times to wrap my mind around. I had to put it down from time to time just to let the concepts sink in better.
It is not very often you read a book that will change the direction of your life. Mother Teresa's life is so inspirational. I will never look at the poor the same again, or the rich. Her life reminded me of stories in the new testament in many ways. I loved her message that you need to start with compassion and love in your own home, if we all really did that our world would be a different place.
This was a life changing book for me. She seemed like such a saint to all of us, but in reality she was only doing what God has called all of us to do. She dared to actually step out of the boat and trust Him.
Completely interesting view into a suprisingly feisty little woman whose faith and determination created an amazing life and legacy.
You do not need to be Catholic to really enjoy this book, I'm not.
You do not need to be Catholic to really enjoy this book, I'm not.
It was a bit overwhelming to read about all the good Mother Teresa did. Her service lived up to the hype surrounding her. She was truly a Christlike woman.
I did have trouble understanding some of the "Catholic" terms. I'm sure they are common knowledge to most people but this little Mormon girl was sometimes confused.
I did have trouble understanding some of the "Catholic" terms. I'm sure they are common knowledge to most people but this little Mormon girl was sometimes confused.
Very interesting to read. I've never read anything about her before, and this was very enlightening. she was an amazing woman.
Missionary of Charity propaganda. The comprehensive biography of Mother Teresa has not been written yet.
I didn't like the writing, but I found the information about Mother Teresa interesting.
It was interesting to know about Mother Teresa and her extrodinary humanitarian service.
While I'm very fascinated with Mother Teresa, the woman, this book was just not intriguing enough for me. I read about 70% of it before I gave up. I wanted to know more about her: her teachings, her day to day life and interactions with people, but the book was very heavy on her programs and their administrative details. It also spent too much time giving the life stories of secondary characters and just didn't accomplish what I'd hoped to find in reading her biography. In the future, I think I'...more
Mother Teresa was pretty amazing, but this biography is only mediocre.
What an inspiring person Mother Teresa truly was - so loving and giving. I loved the book because of how wholly she had given her heart to God and how selflessly she served each person, without rushing, without worry for her own health or exposure to their illnesses. She called AIDS the leprosy of the West, and I realized my view toward the gay AIDS victims were much in line with the people Mother Teresa rebuked. This is not a captivating novel, yet the truths she lived and strove toward are ete...more
A fantastic story about an amazing woman...
Interesting but a difficult read. Very dry.
good subject - mediocre writing
Jan 31, 2013
Jun Emmanuel
added it
good
Ehdottomasti kritiikittömin elämänkerta, johon olen eläessäni törmännyt ja antoi Äiti Teresasta epäinhimillisen ulkokullatun kuvan, jota Spinkin syvä ihailu vielä ennestään kiillottaa. Teoksena muuten kattava, mutta edes Äiti Teresa ei ole niin pyhä ettei hänen elämästään löytyisi jotain kritisoitavaa ja ollen ainoa hänen elinaikanaan hyväksymä teos (kirja kirjoitettiin loppuun hänen kuoltuaan), kriittisempää näkökulmaa kaipaavan kannattaa tarttua johonkin toiseen elämänkertaan.
Detailed information and complete development of the organization which Mother Teresa developed for helping the poor. Good source but dry reading.
what an amazing woman - thought i would just scan over the pages but her story pulled me in - wondered about reading this book and while visiting with my mother this morning i viewed her with new insight
It's nice to know great soul still exist and she taughht us about doing little things that we can do with a great heart at any time, not to just dream of big things that we may never achieve in our life time and give excuses that those are things for the saint. So every one can be a saint in their heart provide they care & love and put them into action no matter that thing is big or small
I was a little disappointed with the writing of the book. I wish it would have been a more in depth study of Mother Teresa. That being said, I still found it to be an enjoyable and inspiring read.
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Kathryn Spink is the author of several book on the work of Mother Teresa and her coworkers, as well as other inspiring contemporary figures, including Brother Roger of Taize and Bede Griffiths.
More about Kathryn Spink...
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