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All Kinds of Magic
This is the story of a man who embarked on a quest that many of us have dreamed about. Disillusioned by a world hooked on material wealth and scientific fact, he decided to travel across the globe in search of something more the magical, the mystical. His journey takes him from snow-blanketed villages in the Himalayas to tiny, covert communities of whirling dervishes in rural Turkey; from the world's largest religious festival on the banks of the swollen Ganges to a dappled, ancient Sufi quarter in Delhi. Lyrical and clear-sighted, "All Kinds of Magic" is a fascinating exploration of the hidden world of miracles that is at once deeply personal and universal in its scope.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 5, 2017
I enjoyed this book for many reasons - i love travel journals.. I love love travel journals with a purpose.. I share the author's open mindedness about not blinding himself completely to the notion of 'magic', taking refuge in science but rather being accepting of alternate realities, some of which are best experienced, seldom explained. I wish to meet an oracle in Ladakh soon while I am not too sure if Ayahuaska is for me yet! Go ahead, grab this book for its journeys - inward and outward.
January 19, 2020
For the most part this was an enjoyable read and certainly informative. Having only read light hearted travel writing before (likes of Bill Bryson and Peter Moore) this was something new for me. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the various mystic practices and traditions from various parts of the globe. I delighted in the generosity and willingness to share knowledge and experiences that exuded through the pages from both the author but especially those people he met on his journey. For the most part this was all new knowledge to me. One part that was not completely new was about the Turkish dervishes but all the same I loved revisiting
Konya, where I last found myself some 12 years ago in person.
The reason I could not give this book the full 5 stars despite the fascinating content was that by the end the author was starting to sound rather self indulgent and maudlin, and unable to accept the experiences for themselves - almost trying too hard. I appreciate this may not be entirely intentional on his part and these feelings were precisely the reason for the journey but in the latter chapters of the work, I was finding his tone tiresome.
Konya, where I last found myself some 12 years ago in person.
The reason I could not give this book the full 5 stars despite the fascinating content was that by the end the author was starting to sound rather self indulgent and maudlin, and unable to accept the experiences for themselves - almost trying too hard. I appreciate this may not be entirely intentional on his part and these feelings were precisely the reason for the journey but in the latter chapters of the work, I was finding his tone tiresome.
May 14, 2020
Before reading the book, I thought it was about a traveller who travels to find God and faith and understand how religion works but it ended up being a man who talks about India for nearly 200 pages, it wasn't about travelling, it was just about India and their culture.
I learned a lot about India but It wasn't exactly what I was expecting out of this book.
I still gave it a 3-star rating because, although it was boring for some time, some stories in it were interesting and fun.
I learned a lot about India but It wasn't exactly what I was expecting out of this book.
I still gave it a 3-star rating because, although it was boring for some time, some stories in it were interesting and fun.
December 18, 2017
"They wanted what we had, we wanted what they had. The twain, it was now undeniable, were meeting head on and sparks where flying."
February 9, 2022
A well written and evocative travel read. A tonic for the 2020's era.
November 23, 2022
A busca do autor por respostas a questões pessoais que o levam a varias partes do mundo. Interessante conhecer outras religiões e seus rituais.
May 1, 2013
A wonderful and, shall I say, magical book! I was not familiar with a few customs and beliefs that Ede had experienced, which made the book more interesting to me, as I love learning new things about other cultures. Like previous commenters, I liked the India section the best. Ede's descriptions were so vivid, that I often felt like I was standing there beside him.
The Turkey section was different from the India section in a way that made the book more interesting and diverse.
I did not find the Spain section to be interesting, as I do not really agree with drug use for "spiritual" uses, and I found that Ede's words in this section seemed somewhat insecure and whiny at times. However, the end of the chapter was more interesting. I also remembered that I actually watched a painfully boring documentary about ayahuasca recently... this section was less burnout-stonerish than the documentary, making this seem more bearable and likeable.
The conclusive chapter of the book was a bit disappointing. I found that it was a bit preachy and strayed away from the point of the book, which I thought was the author trying to find himself.
The very end of the book was a great ending, however.
I think that if the Spain and the tedious closing chapter were eliminated (except for the very last page), this would have been an exceptional book. The first two section were so enjoyable, that they did overshadow the bad parts, and I would recommend this to others.
The Turkey section was different from the India section in a way that made the book more interesting and diverse.
I did not find the Spain section to be interesting, as I do not really agree with drug use for "spiritual" uses, and I found that Ede's words in this section seemed somewhat insecure and whiny at times. However, the end of the chapter was more interesting. I also remembered that I actually watched a painfully boring documentary about ayahuasca recently... this section was less burnout-stonerish than the documentary, making this seem more bearable and likeable.
The conclusive chapter of the book was a bit disappointing. I found that it was a bit preachy and strayed away from the point of the book, which I thought was the author trying to find himself.
The very end of the book was a great ending, however.
I think that if the Spain and the tedious closing chapter were eliminated (except for the very last page), this would have been an exceptional book. The first two section were so enjoyable, that they did overshadow the bad parts, and I would recommend this to others.
January 16, 2013
I love reading travel journals ( strange since I don't like to travel) and I especially like those stories concerned with a spiritual journey. I loved this book. It is beautifully written and is magical in the way that Piers Moore Ede transports you to another place. I have already ordered his other book to read. There was a melancholy to my reading of this book because it really reinforced that woman in so many societies live a life which is not shown to the visitor. I was also strongly aware that no european woman would have able to have the opportunities that the author did. A great read!
February 16, 2013
I enjoyed the first part of the book especially the Indian section, it kept me interested and I was keen to keep reading. By the time Piers was experimenting with ayahuasca my interest waned. The thought of spirituality having to be obtained through the use of drugs does not interest me. I do not see this as spirituality.
Piers wrote in his closing chapter "as for my own journey, well, it continues day by day. And perhaps, at last, that old restlessness is settling down. My central focus these days is on living in the present." He goes on to say he does this by ...keeping his life and his activities simple. I loved those words, that's what made me enjoy the book.
Piers wrote in his closing chapter "as for my own journey, well, it continues day by day. And perhaps, at last, that old restlessness is settling down. My central focus these days is on living in the present." He goes on to say he does this by ...keeping his life and his activities simple. I loved those words, that's what made me enjoy the book.
January 17, 2016
The book is about the author's journey to India, Turkey and Spain in search of modern mysticism. I loved the Indian part of the journey where he meets a wide range of interesting people like an oracle and a black magic practitioner which I found really exciting. The Turkey part got a little boring at times. The author's experimentation with Ayahuasca, a vine found in the Amazon is extremely intriguing. A great book if you are interested in modern mysticism.
February 27, 2013
Piers exploration of the mystical was an interesting read that seemed to get lost, I guess that's what happens when you don't know what you are looking for. It was on the whole well written and I thought he told his story well, I am just not sure which "meaning" he was looking for. I think he would benefit by reading 'making a world of difference' by Miles Roston. Good luck Piers.
September 29, 2010
Had me thinking. Very interesting, enjoyable and entirely apt for modern life.
January 24, 2016
Thought-provoking and beautifully written.
May 15, 2014
When I am looking for spirituality, I found politics. it is sad to read lies about Ataturk as a turkish citizen.
October 21, 2014
Certainly an informative and well-researched read, especially on matters of spiritual interest. Requires deep thought to digest certain explanations.
May 2, 2015
Book is Very interesting, enjoyable, energetic and compelling by Piers Moore Ede for readers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews