Parker J. Palmer is widely published (as of 1990, 10 poems, 80+ essays, 8 books) and he gives lectures and often leads workshops and retreats. He is a sociologist-philosopher, an activist, and a Quaker. (For his books I've read, click on his name.)

In this short book is about spirituality of work, creativity and caring he shows how the active and contemplative lives are inseparably interwoven. In 6 of the 8 chapters he uses stories from various traditions (2 Taoist, 1 Jewish, 3 Christian) to make his points about the active (right action) life, death and resurrection. Ch 7 – the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand gave me a very strong sense of déjà vu because of a remarkable religious experience I had in July 1999 while I was hospitalized for many months. Palmer feels that God and Christ are not all-seeing but will keep learning new things about humanity as creation goes on – nothing is completely foretold. For me, the consequences of human free will are cast in a new light by Parker J. Palmer who gave me valuable new insights on God and Christ. I recommend this book very highly.