About the Author

KAREN ARMSTRONG is the author of numerous books on religious affairs, including The Case for God, A History of God, The Battle for God, Holy War, Islam, Buddha, and The Great Transformation, as well as a memoir, The Spiral Staircase. Her work has been translated into forty-five languages. In 2008 she was awarded the TED Prize and began working with TED on the Charter for Compassion, created online by the general  public,  and crafted  by leading thinkers in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The charter was launched globally in the fall of 2009. She is currently an ambassador for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. She lives in London.

Reviews

"Gripping tale. . . . Measured against the current crop of new releases about the sins of the Catholic Church, [The Spiral Staircase] is surprisingly uplifting. . . . Her strength in moving ahead, not blaming the past, creates an utterly compelling voice. Like the poet, she sees her climb as an upward spiral: ‘I hope, toward the light.’" —The Edmonton Journal

"[The Spiral Staircase] will appeal to spiritually minded seekers whether or not they are engaged in a religious community. In fact, non-believers can read this book and learn from its practical and psychological wisdom. This is a book for those who believe that, to be authentically ourselves, we must live for others." —The Ottawa Citizen

"If it were simply a narrative of a life resolving itself into extraordinary achievement, The Spiral Staircase would be enough. But it also portrays lyrically the tender relationship with her young autistic friend, Jacob; her adventures in the Holy Land; and her discovery at last, while writing A History of God, that theology could speak to her, as poetry does, in silence. . . . Armstrong’s own understanding of God, with which she concludes, may not be for everyone. But those who believe the world needs “not belief, not certainty, but compassionate action,” will find here words to live by.” —The United Church Observer

“Compelling, awe-inspiring, and uplifting. . . . The Sprial Staircase is a beautifully written account of a journey filled with obstacles . . . but it’s far from depressing or difficult to read. Armstrong’s sense of humour about her self and her life is uplifting.” —University of Toronto Bookstore Review

“I loved this powerful and moving account, and read it nonstop.” —Elaine Pagels, author of Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas

“An engaging story of her own spiritual journey by contemporary religion’ s foremost public intellectual. Armstrong’s narrative is candid, witty, insightful and moving. A book that teaches as it entertains.” —Marcus J. Borg, author of The Heart of Christianity

“Opening this book is like sitting down for coffee on a first date with someone who is interesting and odd. Your conversation becomes unexpectedly intimate: painful tales of bafflement and illness, gleaming crystals of self-discovery and joy. By the time you get up from the table, you have fallen in love.” —Rabbi Arthur Waskow, author of Godwrestling–Round 2: Ancient Wisdom, Future Paths

“Karen Armstrong . . . writes here with exquisite authenticity of one person relentlessly searching for the necessary self. A deeply moving account of a serious and large-hearted life. The book rings like the stroke of a bell—that clear, true tone. And it summons every reader to do the same.” —James Carroll, author of Constantine’s Sword

“The world of religious autobiography is now singularly enriched by the remarkable story of the remarkable Karen Armstrong as told by her good self. . . . She really is light in darkness.” —Peter J. Gomes, author of Strength for the Journey: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living

“In her most personal work to date, Armstrong takes us behind the scenes in the life of a free-lance monotheist. Like Jacob, she climbs toward Transcendence." —Michael Wolfe, author of The Hadj: An American’s Pilgrimage to Mecca

“Charming and eloquent, intimate and illuminating, The Spiral Staircase tells the remarkable tale of the spiritual odyssey of an exceptionally gifted thinker and teacher. Readers who turn to Karen Armstrong for her insights on God and the great religions will thrill at the opportunity to witness her own intimate struggle toward truth, health, and wholeness.” —Jonathan Kirsch, author of God Against the Gods

"Gripping tale. . . . Measured against the current crop of new releases about the sins of the Catholic Church, [The Spiral Staircase] is surprisingly uplifting. . . . Her strength in moving ahead, not blaming the past, creates an utterly compelling voice. Like the poet, she sees her climb as an upward spiral: 'I hope, toward the light.'" -The Edmonton Journal

"[The Spiral Staircase] will appeal to spiritually minded seekers whether or not they are engaged in a religious community. In fact, non-believers can read this book and learn from its practical and psychological wisdom. This is a book for those who believe that, to be authentically ourselves, we must live for others." -The Ottawa Citizen

"If it were simply a narrative of a life resolving itself into extraordinary achievement, The Spiral Staircase would be enough. But it also portrays lyrically the tender relationship with her young autistic friend, Jacob; her adventures in the Holy Land; and her discovery at last, while writing A History of God, that theology could speak to her, as poetry does, in silence. . . . Armstrong's own understanding of God, with which she concludes, may not be for everyone. But those who believe the world needs "not belief, not certainty, but compassionate action," will find here words to live by." -The United Church Observer

"Compelling, awe-inspiring, and uplifting. . . . The Sprial Staircase is a beautifully written account of a journey filled with obstacles . . . but it's far from depressing or difficult to read. Armstrong's sense of humour about her self and her life is uplifting." -University of Toronto Bookstore Review

"I loved this powerful and moving account, and read it nonstop." -Elaine Pagels, author of Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas

"An engaging story of her own spiritual journey by contemporary religion' s foremost public intellectual. Armstrong's narrative is candid, witty, insightful and moving. A book that teaches as it entertains." -Marcus J. Borg, author of The Heart of Christianity

"Opening this book is like sitting down for coffee on a first date with someone who is interesting and odd. Your conversation becomes unexpectedly intimate: painful tales of bafflement and illness, gleaming crystals of self-discovery and joy. By the time you get up from the table, you have fallen in love." -Rabbi Arthur Waskow, author of Godwrestling-Round 2: Ancient Wisdom, Future Paths

"Karen Armstrong . . . writes here with exquisite authenticity of one person relentlessly searching for the necessary self. A deeply moving account of a serious and large-hearted life. The book rings like the stroke of a bell-that clear, true tone. And it summons every reader to do the same." -James Carroll, author of Constantine's Sword

"The world of religious autobiography is now singularly enriched by the remarkable story of the remarkable Karen Armstrong as told by her good self. . . . She really is light in darkness." -Peter J. Gomes, author of Strength for the Journey: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living

"In her most personal work to date, Armstrong takes us behind the scenes in the life of a free-lance monotheist. Like Jacob, she climbs toward Transcendence." -Michael Wolfe, author of The Hadj: An American's Pilgrimage to Mecca

"Charming and eloquent, intimate and illuminating, The Spiral Staircase tells the remarkable tale of the spiritual odyssey of an exceptionally gifted thinker and teacher. Readers who turn to Karen Armstrong for her insights on God and the great religions will thrill at the opportunity to witness her own intimate struggle toward truth, health, and wholeness." -Jonathan Kirsch, author of God Against the Gods