ReligionTalking Books
The titles in this booklist are just a selection of the titles available for loan from the RNIB National Library Talking Book Service.
Don’t forget you are allowed to have up to 6 books on loan. When you return a title, you will then receive another one.
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PE2 6WS
Non Fiction
General
A dictionary of religious quotations. 1989. Read by Antony Higginson, 18 hours 45 minutes. TB 7760.
Margaret Pepper, compiler and editor, has collected quotations which range from classical times to the present day, and stem from all the world's major religions. Sources used include poems, novels, speeches, plays, newspaper articles, the Holy Bible, the Qu'ran, Talmud and the works of the moralists and theologians. Both the religious and the secular are encompassed within the collection, which is aimed at the student and the casual browser. TB 7760.
The Oxford book of prayer. 1985. Read by Richard Owens, 15 hours 17 minutes. TB 8214.
An anthology of prayers taken from many traditions of faith. A useful companion for private meditation and public worship alike. TB 8214.
Dawkins, Richard
The God delusion. 2006. Read by Richard Dawkins and Lalla Ward, 13 hours 45 minutes. TB 15362.
Richard Dawkins presents his arguments for atheism by adopting the rigorous approach of a scientist and applying it to the questions of religion, religious faith and the existence of God. Some of the issues he addresses include: a history of religious conflict, the impossibility of disproving the existence of God and morality. TB 15362.
Evans, E L
Legends of West Indian saints. 1990. Read by Ben Onukwe, 3 hours 52 minutes. TB 8679.
This is largely a biographical account of a 35-year ministry in the West Indies. The author served in Jamaica and Barbados, and in those years he heard many stories of past years and experienced happy and amusing occasions among his many friends. The stories should appeal especially to West Indians, and others who can appreciate their humour. TB 8679.
Redfield, James
The celestine vision: living the new spiritual awareness. 1997. Read by Jeff Harding, 5 hours 58 minutes. TB 11691.
James Redfield writes widely on the topic of spiritual awareness. Here he discusses the background of an awakening which will shape our world in the new millennium. Using his own experience, he clarifies how mysterious coincidences lead us towards our special destiny. He suggests that the inevitable synthesis of Eastern and Western ideas forms part of an evolution towards a better world. He guides our own vision for our lives, delving into hidden energies and the discovery of our unique missions on this planet. TB 11691.
Ruthven, Malise
The divine supermarket. 1989. Read by Ronald Markham, 14 hours 8 minutes. TB 8812.
Travels in search of the soul of America. Malise Ruthven set out across America in search of its religious spirit. From Puritan New England to neo-Nazi cults in the Rockies, from Mormons to snake-handlers to fundamentalist groups, from channellers in California to the scandals surrounding TV millionaire preachers. The result is a unique insight into the soul of modern America. TB 8812.
Tutu, Desmond
God has a dream: a vision of hope for our time. 2007. Read by Desmond Tutu, 4 hours 31 minutes. TB 15482.
A personal and liberating message of hope and light in dark times. In it,
Desmond Tutu shows how important it is that even as we face the harsh realities of our individual lives and global conditions, we remember the importance of hope and dreams. TB 15482.
Christian
Curate's egg; edited by John Martin. 1990. Read by various narrators. 6 hours 16 minutes. TB 10163.
Young clergy, men and women, working in different parts of Britain, give frank, honest, sad and hilarious accounts of how they have found life on the job. TB 10163.
Faith in the city: a call for action by Church and nation: the report of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on Urban Priority Areas. 1985. Read by John Westbrook, 20 hours 22 minutes. TB 6878.
After Lord Scarman's report on the Brixton disorders, and at a time of continuing urban unrest, what future is there for our inner cities and housing estates? How should the Church of England, and other bodies, including government, respond? This was the brief given by the Archbishop of Canterbury to a distinguished 18 member Commission drawn from a wide range of backgrounds. After two years of research the Commission's report paints a disturbing picture. TB 6878.
Julian: woman of our day. 1985. Read by Gwen Cherrell, 6 hours 32 minutes. TB 7741.
A series of essays examining various aspects of the mystical and devotional writings of Julian of Norwich. Little is known of Julian. She lived in the 14th century. Although it is unlikely that she was a nun, she may have been taught by them. Her writings have certainly aroused the interests of theologians particularly Thomas Merton. TB 7741.
New habits: today's women who choose to become nuns; edited by Isabel Losada. 1999. Read by various narrators, 6 hours 20 minutes. TB 12720.
Why would young women in their twenties and thirties choose to enter a convent? The author talked at length to ten novices who had homes, jobs, boyfriends, money and freedom who explained why they are seeking a more radical lifestyle. They reveal themselves openly and challenge all the stereotypes of the typical nun. TB 12720.
The Desert Fathers; edited by Helen Waddell. 1987. Read by Judith Whale, 7 hours 59 minutes. TB 6946.
The fragmentary lives and scattered sayings of the Desert Fathers are the kernel of ascetic tradition in the West. The Blessed Antony was the first and perhaps the best loved. He was buried in 356 and for more than a hundred years men flocked to the desert for religion as later they turned to Paris for philosophy and to Bologna for law. To the 4th century the Kingdom of God was still "the pearl of great price hidden in a field, for which a man must sell all that he has." TB 6946.
Alexander, Pat
The Lion first Bible. 2007. Read by Bernard Cribbins, 3 hours 19 minutes. TB 15477.
Here are more than sixty stories, specially chosen for young children, a foundation on which to build a growing knowledge of the Bible. Beginning with the creation of our world by a God who loves and cares for people, then moves through the nation of Israel and its leaders to the life of Jesus and what follows. TB 15477.
Alexander, Patricia
The Lion Children's Bible: The Old Testament. 1981. Read by Paul Jones, 3 hours 15 minutes. TB 12552.
The Bible is rich in stories children can appreciate and enjoy. Here, Pat Alexander retells them in a clear and simple way. In this first volume are all the main stories of the Old Testament, from the creation at the very beginning through the story of the people of Israel, to the tale of Jonah and the whale. The stories follow the order of events, keeping closely to the 'one story' which the Bible's many books relate. TB 12552.
Alexander, Patricia
The Lion Children's Bible: The New Testament. 1981. Read by Paul Jones, 1 hour 52 minutes. TB 12055.
The Bible contains a marvellous collection of stories. It is also one story. Pat Alexander retells the stories in a clear and simple way for children to appreciate and enjoy. In this volume all the important stories from the New Testament are included, from the life of Jesus to Pauls' shipwreck and arrival at Rome, where the narrative part of the New Testament ends. TB 12055.
Armstrong, Karen
Through the narrow gate. 1981. Read by Judy Franklin, 10 hours 48 minutes. TB 5281.
Karen Armstrong entered the strict confines of an English convent at the age of seventeen when most other teenagers were embarking on the social revolution of the 1960s. She became Christ's bride in a ceremony of mystical splendour but the way forward was unbearably hard. She struggled on in a battle with her health, mind and spirit until she could go no further. TB 5281.
Augustine
The confessions; translated by E B Pusey. 1953. Read by Colin Doran, 15 hours 25 minutes. TB 159.
Everyman's library; 200 series. The confessions of Saint Augustine born in Numidia in 354 are still widely read and studied and relevant to our concerns and needs. TB 159.
Axelrod, Cyril
And the journey begins. 2005. Read by Jon Cartwright, 4 hours 30 minutes. TB 14336.
Born deaf and Jewish yet became a Catholic priest; could not walk until he was three yet his work has spanned five continents; could not speak until he was nine yet has knowledge of fifteen languages; grew up under apartheid but did pioneering multi-racial work; lost his sight but never lost his vision; is now both deaf and blind but that is no barrier to his faith or work. This is a remarkable autobiography of a deaf-blind priest, who was brought up in the Orthodox Jewish faith. TB 14336.
Barclay, William
Crucified and crowned. 1961. Read by Garard Green, 8 hours. TB 555.
SCM paperbacks series. A historical and theological examination of the last days in Jerusalem, the Crucifixion and the beginnings of the Christian faith. TB 555.
Barclay, William
The mind of Jesus. 1960. Read by Garard Green, 9 hours 30 minutes. TB 554.
The story takes us step by step from the first Passover to the Transfiguration, and Dr. Barclay interprets the Gospels and describes the historical background. TB 554.
Berlitz, Charles
The lost ship of Noah: in search of the ark at Ararat. 1988. Read by Garard Green, 5 hours 25 minutes. TB 7309.
High on a mountain in eastern Turkey and visible seasonally as the snow melts lies a man-made object that resembles a ship. It is older than recorded history - carbon-dated to prehistoric times - and perched where no ship should be. Could it be Noah's Ark? Religious and archaeological expeditions to Ararat have increasingly focused world attention on this mysterious object and the author is convinced that definite proof now exists of the Flood. TB 7309.
Bloom, Anthony
Living prayer. 1990. Read by Robin Browne, 3 hours 57 minutes. TB 9635.
A personal exploration of the need for prayer by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, leader of the Russian Orthodox Patriarchial church in Britain. TB 9635.
Bloom, Ursula
Parson extraordinary. 1963. Read by Judith Whale, 7 hours 45 minutes, TB 1303.
A novelist's biography of her father reveals his talents and charm as well as his human faults and follies. TB 1303.
Brook, Stephen
God's Army: The story of the Salvation Army. 1998. Read by Alexander John, 5 hours 20 minutes. TB 11629.
Recounts the turbulent history of a radical religious movement that has evolved into one of the world's best-loved charities. The Salvation Army was born out of London's East End, to wage war against poverty and sin. In Britain today the Army undertakes countless local welfare projects. Recent years have seen fundamental changes as the Army struggles to modernize, with a team of management consultants helping it restructure and re-establish itself. TB 11629.
Brown, Peter
Augustine of Hippo: a biography. 1969. Read by Colin Doran, 19 hours 42 minutes. TB 552.
A biography of St. Augustine - the story of his mind and spirit in the light of his environment and of the duties to which he believed himself called. TB 552.
Carey, George
The new Archbishop speaks. 1991. Read by David Graham, 4 hours 57 minutes. TB 9189.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, talks about central issues in the Christian Church. TB 9189.
Carpenter, Humphrey
Robert Runcie: the reluctant archbishop. 1996. Read by Ronald Markham, 13 hours 48 minutes. TB 11357.
In this biography we learn the former Archbishop's opinions of the Pope, Terry Waite, the Falklands War, Margaret Thatcher and the survival of the monarchy. Meanwhile, Graham Leonard, Hugh Montefiore, Eric James, the new Bishop of London, Richard Chartres and, not least, Rosalind Runcie, the Archbishop's sometimes controversial wife, are among those who in turn shed light on the enigmatic figure who became the 102nd Archbishop. TB 11357.
Cassidy, Sheila
Prayer for pilgrims: a book about prayer for ordinary people. 1980. Read by Judith Whale, 5 hours 19 minutes. TB 6643.
A simple and practical book about prayer written by a laywoman who is, by training, a doctor, by accident an ex-political prisoner and, by deep yearning as near a monk as she can be. The material reflects these experiences: the difficulties of self-discipline, the tension between work and prayer and in particular, the experience of 10 years as a lapsed Catholic, a Christian in name only. TB 6643.
Cassidy, Sheila
Sharing the darkness. 1988. Read by Jacqueline King, 6 hours 15 minutes. TB 7862.
"Sharing the Darkness" is about the nature and cost of Christian discipleship in the front line of caring. It is a warm-hearted, honest and highly personal book, remarkable for its sense of hope and celebration. The author struggles with the tension between gift of self in a demanding job and the problems of overwork, depression and burnout. She makes no secret of the painful gulf between her ideals and the reality of life and work in the real world. TB 7862.
Chadwick, Owen
Michael Ramsey: a life. 1990. Read by Judith Whale, 21 hours 36 minutes. TB 8292.
Lord Ramsey, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1961 to 1974, died on 23 April 1988. The resulting biography is a masterly account of Ramsey's life and works. In Parliament he helped to abolish capital punishment and secured better treatment for homosexuals. In Christendom at large he was a leader in a new spirit of brotherhood among the churches. TB 8292.